What do you think?
Rate this book
Standing Sideways
When Livia Stone suddenly loses her twin brother, Jasper, she must learn to navigate her new life alone. As she faces tragedy and starts down a road toward
self-destruction, Daniel enters Livia’s life—at a moment when she needs it most.
Standing Sideways is a poignant, relevant, and touching story of survival, courage, and compassion that will have readers crying, laughing, and most of all, debating the issues affecting the lives of parents and teens alike on a journey of hope and forgiveness.
self-destruction, Daniel enters Livia’s life—at a moment when she needs it most.
Standing Sideways is a poignant, relevant, and touching story of survival, courage, and compassion that will have readers crying, laughing, and most of all, debating the issues affecting the lives of parents and teens alike on a journey of hope and forgiveness.
305 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
85 people are currently reading
964 people want to read
About the author
J. Lynn Bailey
12 books369 followersJ. Lynn is a bestselling author, mother, and wife. When she isn't running between soccer practices, working on another school fundraiser, or chasing a new puppy, you can probably find her holed up in her writing room feverishly working on her next novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 5, 2018
RATING: 4/5
*Thanks NetGalley and J. House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this*
This is the story of Livia and the grieving process she goes through after losing her sibling. It's not just any sibling, it's her twin brother, so she feels like half of her soul is gone. This tragedy pushes Livy down a path of self destruction, and suddenly getting her life back on track does not seem like an option.
J. Lynn Bailey has written a fantastic, raw and compelling novel. The way grief is portrayed in this book is amazing. For most of the book Liv is stuck, confused and with no idea of what to do to feel okay again. She pushes her parents away, she refuses to listen to her best friend, so it really seems like she's giving up. Reading about this terrible situation was not easy. I felt Liv's pain and I also felt for the people around her who didn't know how to help her. There's not much I can say without spoiling it for others. I recommend it to young adults like me who aren't afraid to read and reflect on tough life situations. And if you've ever grieved for someone, I am sure you'll be able to relate.
*Thanks NetGalley and J. House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this*
This is the story of Livia and the grieving process she goes through after losing her sibling. It's not just any sibling, it's her twin brother, so she feels like half of her soul is gone. This tragedy pushes Livy down a path of self destruction, and suddenly getting her life back on track does not seem like an option.
J. Lynn Bailey has written a fantastic, raw and compelling novel. The way grief is portrayed in this book is amazing. For most of the book Liv is stuck, confused and with no idea of what to do to feel okay again. She pushes her parents away, she refuses to listen to her best friend, so it really seems like she's giving up. Reading about this terrible situation was not easy. I felt Liv's pain and I also felt for the people around her who didn't know how to help her. There's not much I can say without spoiling it for others. I recommend it to young adults like me who aren't afraid to read and reflect on tough life situations. And if you've ever grieved for someone, I am sure you'll be able to relate.
January 5, 2018
Title: Standing Sideways
Series: Standalone
Author: J. Lynn Bailey
Release date: January 30, 2018
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
Have you ever felt like you can’t catch your breath? Or hope the breath you breathe will be your last?
With a biting, sarcastic narrative, J. Lynn Bailey has composed a story about grief, addiction, and surviving after everything you thought you knew about life is ripped apart. I had no idea what to expect when I opened up this book, as I was not previously familiar with this author's work. I can honestly say that I got so much more than I could've anticipated. I would even go so far as to say that there were moments of brilliance in this story. Many moments I just sat back and soaked in the words, wanting to take my time with them.
If we knew our departure date, maybe we wouldn’t enjoy the pure moments of joy that life provided. Maybe our souls have their own journey, and our bodies are just a costume we wear while our time is spent on Earth.
Standing Sideways was pensive, insightful, and filled with raw honesty. This story is inspired by a real life tragedy, and that comes through in the gritty emotion that permeates Livia's struggle to cope. To wake up every day and take a breath without breaking, and dissolving under the weight of her pain. Livia's twin brother Jasper was like her other half, the best part of her. They were inseparable, and couldn't even imagine a time when their lives would fork apart onto different roads. Until the day her identity was divided in a new way: before and after.
Before Livia was preparing to follow her dreams of studying writing at Harvey College. She was mature, driven, and had a bright future ahead of her. After Livia was a person reborn from the ashes of Jasper's death. She was now a girl who could barely look at herself in the mirror without flinching. All of the coping mechanisms she developed ranged from unhealthy to dangerous. And yet she couldn't find the will to change. You will see Livia coming apart at the seams right before your eyes. Veering from apathetic to enraged over the injustice of the world, she questions her sanity, her faith in God, and the possibility that she's stumbling down a dangerous path.
I allow the awfulness of the world—the wrongdoings and the decisions people make, the unspeakable ones—to roll off my back and splatter onto the floor. But there they sit, waiting for me to collect them.
Where does Daniel enter into all of this? He's the new boy in town, a transplant from England who has an air of mystery about him. After running into Livia and her best friend Cao on their first day of school, the two quickly form a friendship with an undercurrent of attraction. Forming an attachment for someone is not a wise course of action for either of them at this point. But Daniel is secretly struggling with a broken family and grief himself, and the mutual understanding that they provide each other makes it harder for them to resist the pull they feel.
His fingertips barely graze my midsection, and I feel an explosion of stars in my head. Butterflies have hatched. Stars align. A new universe is born. I’m screwed.
I really enjoyed Daniel and Livia as a couple, but their romance wasn't the highlight of the book for me. It was their own individual growth, and the lessons they learned along the way. This is a wonderful story that touched on many different significant topics. Though, I did have a few issues with it overall that prevented me from giving it a full five stars.
I debated for a few days about how to rate this. I really loved the storyline, and felt that has such an eloquent way with words. That made it very difficult for me to lower my rating, but there were enough issues there that I wasn't able to let them go. Would I still recommend this? Absolutely, without a doubt. If you're looking for an emotional YA book that will pull at your heartstrings, I urge you to give it a chance. Standing Sideways is a book that came directly from the author's heart, and it shows. I'm looking forward to seeing what she has to offer in the future.
FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:
February 1, 2018
“All I want is to be swallowed into darkness, so I step inside and wait for the darkness to hold me down. Life was so much easier, more conquerable, and more moving in the right direction just a month ago.”
OMG… this book was really good, like, really good. I love it when you pick up book from an author that you’ve never discovered before and it’s so good. Well, I can safely say that this book was better than I ever expected. This poignant story of grief, strength, courage, family, love and the power of forgiveness has really resonated with me to the point I am still thinking about it long after I read the last word. If you have ever lost anyone near and dear to you, you’ll know what I mean when I say, grief can utterly consume you. Before you know it, you are on a downward spiral and can’t possibly find your way out of the darkness that clouds you.
Standing Sideways is a vivid, raw and gut wrenching retelling of the horrific aftermath of losing someone close to you and trying to cope with the deep pain you’re feeling every day. Livia has recently lost her twin brother Jasper and the grief she is baring is indescribable; she has lost the best person in her life, the other half to her heart and soul.
The only way Livia knows how to survive is to self-destruct, act out and do things she may not necessarily want to do. It seems to be her coping mechanism in order for her just to wake up every day, look at herself in the mirror and breathe.
“I wonder if Daniel would have liked the old me. The less haunted one, less sad, the better decision-maker. I wonder what he’d think of me if he knew what I did in my spare time to meet the needs of my grief.
And poor Daniel, the boy who met me as a single, not a double. The boy who met me as Livia, not Livia and Jasper. The boy who met me after the sadness and not a minute before.”
When Livia was at her lowest ebb, Daniel comes into her life; it is a time when she needs that special someone more than ever and he is it. Daniel unfortunately has his own demons to battle and is he is enough to save Livia from her path of self-destruction before it’s too late?
Standing Sideways was a thought provoking coming of age story that J Lynn Bailey should be very proud of bringing into this world. It was a hard story to read at times, purely due to the nature of the plot and characterization, but this made it even more astounding in my opinion, as Bailey competently tackled very tough themes with sincerity, care, grace and realism.
If you are looking for your next read to be an impeccably written, deep and poignant YA story about life, love, immense loss, courage, addiction, depression and forgiveness which also includes amazingly flawed characters that will touch your soul, then you should check this one out. I honestly can’t recall the last time I connected so intimately with a story. Highly recommend.
January 23, 2018
Title: Standing Sideways
Author: J.Lynn Bailey
Genre: Contemporary
Publication Date: January 30, 2018
I think people react to grief in their own way and sometimes their way of coping isn't always in the most conventional way.
I'm quite surprised by how much I liked Standing Sideways. It was touching and heartbreaking...the best way to sum up this book would be 'a coming of age book'. Yes the characters made some stupid decisions but who hasn't when they were at that age? or who isn't going to? right?
Standing Sideways is told from Livia Stone's POV and the narrative is sarcastic yet straightforward.
J.Lynn has written a book that is honest and raw. You can feel the desperation and the craving through the pages of the book.This book made me bawl my eyes out, I felt Livia loss and her utter confusion and hopelessness.
Let's me honest here, ok? Standing Sideway at the end, is a sad book, a good sad book.
Standing sideways is a story of survival and courage.
A story of karma, fate and destiny.
A story of sadness and suffering.
It's a story of forgiveness and love.
It's a story of bravery.
For more ...
www.jemimajamir.com
August 11, 2018
“If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality.” – Norman Cousins –
I can tell you right now that my review will not do this book justice. It is one of the hardest reviews that I have had to write in 2018. I could have made the choice to not write a review but it is impossible not to write a review for this book.
The Protagonist
Livia Stone is an 18 year old on the brink of staring into the abyss and never coming out again. Being abandoned by her father and now her brother. Not her older or younger brother no her twin.
Her world was turned upside down. She is on a downward spiral. Bad decisions, she lost her dignity, her self-worth and her pride.
Taking pills that eventually lead to alcohol. To telling yourself you’re not an alcoholic unless you don’t have a job. Which Livia did. Not drinking in the morning which Livia didn’t do at the beginning. But ended up doing.
Her life is in shambles. There is that one moment were she finally realises that she has hit rock bottom.
But along the way a new kid moved to Belle’s Hollow and it gives Livia something she didn’t know that she needed. A fresh face someone who didn’t know the before Livia. Someone who knows what it is like to stand on that cliff and to contemplate if that last step into a freefall is worth it.
I felt Livia’s desperation. I think at some point it became my own. I wanted to shake her and hug her at the same time. I wanted to beg her to stop what she was doing to herself. Everybody wanted to help her but they didn’t know how.
Writing, Plot & Pace.
Ms. Bailey hits every note with her flawless writing. Every emotion in this book is real, raw, emotional and gritty. Due to the topic of the book I knew that it was going to be sad but OMG this book is soul destroying. It is unexpected and you can feel the pain coming off the pages.
The plot is how to deal with grief, loss and the enormity of a situation where there are no clear answers. How can some people live and others die? Does fate or even God make that decision? What of those who cheated death but only to die a couple of days, weeks or months later?
The pace of the book for me was hard to take. Because it was hard to watch Livia and how she dealt with things and how her family dealt with things as well. Working through all the steps of grief, loss is a gradual process. A process that takes time.
There is a splash of romance, a dash of the paranormal but a whole lot of messed up emotions that need to be worked through.
The secondary characters added more depth to the book. One of my favourites is Cao. Daniel the splash of romance is solid as well as Simon and Whitney.
Verdict.
I stared at the blank screen for a very long time trying to figure out what I wanted to convey. What I wanted to write. What would make sense for me to write and for you to actually understand. How this book made me feel. Without being a gibbering mess. Without giving too much away.
Read the book you will not regret it. The author write this book because of the loss and the grief that she has felt. It is personal and you know that no one can write something as heartbreakingly beautiful as what has been written in Standing Sideways. She wanted to walk away from finishing Standing Sideways I can only write that I am glad that she didn’t. No matter how much I cried and I cried a lot. I’ve shed a few tears now as well seeing what I can take from my notes.
All proceeds of the book are donated to the Jason Johnson scholarship.
I can tell you right now that my review will not do this book justice. It is one of the hardest reviews that I have had to write in 2018. I could have made the choice to not write a review but it is impossible not to write a review for this book.
The Protagonist
Livia Stone is an 18 year old on the brink of staring into the abyss and never coming out again. Being abandoned by her father and now her brother. Not her older or younger brother no her twin.
Her world was turned upside down. She is on a downward spiral. Bad decisions, she lost her dignity, her self-worth and her pride.
Taking pills that eventually lead to alcohol. To telling yourself you’re not an alcoholic unless you don’t have a job. Which Livia did. Not drinking in the morning which Livia didn’t do at the beginning. But ended up doing.
Her life is in shambles. There is that one moment were she finally realises that she has hit rock bottom.
But along the way a new kid moved to Belle’s Hollow and it gives Livia something she didn’t know that she needed. A fresh face someone who didn’t know the before Livia. Someone who knows what it is like to stand on that cliff and to contemplate if that last step into a freefall is worth it.
I felt Livia’s desperation. I think at some point it became my own. I wanted to shake her and hug her at the same time. I wanted to beg her to stop what she was doing to herself. Everybody wanted to help her but they didn’t know how.
Writing, Plot & Pace.
Ms. Bailey hits every note with her flawless writing. Every emotion in this book is real, raw, emotional and gritty. Due to the topic of the book I knew that it was going to be sad but OMG this book is soul destroying. It is unexpected and you can feel the pain coming off the pages.
The plot is how to deal with grief, loss and the enormity of a situation where there are no clear answers. How can some people live and others die? Does fate or even God make that decision? What of those who cheated death but only to die a couple of days, weeks or months later?
The pace of the book for me was hard to take. Because it was hard to watch Livia and how she dealt with things and how her family dealt with things as well. Working through all the steps of grief, loss is a gradual process. A process that takes time.
There is a splash of romance, a dash of the paranormal but a whole lot of messed up emotions that need to be worked through.
The secondary characters added more depth to the book. One of my favourites is Cao. Daniel the splash of romance is solid as well as Simon and Whitney.
Verdict.
I stared at the blank screen for a very long time trying to figure out what I wanted to convey. What I wanted to write. What would make sense for me to write and for you to actually understand. How this book made me feel. Without being a gibbering mess. Without giving too much away.
Read the book you will not regret it. The author write this book because of the loss and the grief that she has felt. It is personal and you know that no one can write something as heartbreakingly beautiful as what has been written in Standing Sideways. She wanted to walk away from finishing Standing Sideways I can only write that I am glad that she didn’t. No matter how much I cried and I cried a lot. I’ve shed a few tears now as well seeing what I can take from my notes.
All proceeds of the book are donated to the Jason Johnson scholarship.
July 5, 2018
Read this full review and many more at: 5171 Miles Book Blog.
Like Sabrina, my blogging partner, I found out about Standing Sideways through a couple of our blogging friends and immediately added it to my TBR after their rave reviews (thanks, Kacy, for loaning me your copy). I couldn’t wait to find out more about this story and read something my friends thought was great. Luckily, Sabrina wanted to read it with me and it made the reading experience even more fun. I’m really glad I read this book slowly with her because it helped me to break the story down in a way I wouldn’t have done reading alone. At one point, Sabrina was even able to help me catch an important part that I misread, making me hope that isn’t some that happens often! Yikes.
One of my favorite parts of the story, ironically, was the blog – Blog Heiress! Though it was a high school gossip blog, I thought the idea was really fun to read about. It made me almost wish my high school could have had something like this, though without the bullying or rumor-spreading. As I read further, I felt incredibly thankful social media was just emerging during my own high school years. It almost makes me ill to think of the damage cyber-bullying could have on students during these critical years, though this wasn’t a main focus of the novel.
Livia’s personality was super enjoyable, and I adored her dark, sarcastic humor. I was constantly wondering what she would do next! Her relationship with Cao was the best kind of friendship, and the conversations between the two had me laughing out loud.
I was pleasantly surprised by the touches of paranormal/supernatural thrown into the story. It was unique without taking away from the reality of the story. I also loved the bits about God and our free will as humans. I agree with the stance the characters took and appreciated the author including the subtle messages.
My only issues with the story were a couple of the things Sabrina will mention in more depth to follow, including the descriptions of one of the character’s accent and the voices of the characters coming across older than they were. I also felt as if the ending was a bit rushed. We waited throughout the entire book for certain answers to be given and everything felt as if it was dropped at once and in a hurry. I was also disappointed that certain things were left unresolved. However, after discussing the book with a friend, I learned there will be a follow-up to Standing Sideways in the future. I wish that might have been mentioned at the end, in the blurb, or on Goodreads. It tends to change my opinion of a book if I know it’s going to be included in a series. Had I known that from the get-go, I might have been inclined to give the full five-star rating instead of four.
Overall, this book had a great message and helped me learn about things I didn’t have an understanding of prior to reading the book. I love to feel more enlighted after reading and I appreciate the author being able to do that for me. J. Lynn Bailey is a promising writer – I love her style, her characters, and the depth of this story. I can’t wait to read more books by her in the future!
Like Sabrina, my blogging partner, I found out about Standing Sideways through a couple of our blogging friends and immediately added it to my TBR after their rave reviews (thanks, Kacy, for loaning me your copy). I couldn’t wait to find out more about this story and read something my friends thought was great. Luckily, Sabrina wanted to read it with me and it made the reading experience even more fun. I’m really glad I read this book slowly with her because it helped me to break the story down in a way I wouldn’t have done reading alone. At one point, Sabrina was even able to help me catch an important part that I misread, making me hope that isn’t some that happens often! Yikes.
One of my favorite parts of the story, ironically, was the blog – Blog Heiress! Though it was a high school gossip blog, I thought the idea was really fun to read about. It made me almost wish my high school could have had something like this, though without the bullying or rumor-spreading. As I read further, I felt incredibly thankful social media was just emerging during my own high school years. It almost makes me ill to think of the damage cyber-bullying could have on students during these critical years, though this wasn’t a main focus of the novel.
Livia’s personality was super enjoyable, and I adored her dark, sarcastic humor. I was constantly wondering what she would do next! Her relationship with Cao was the best kind of friendship, and the conversations between the two had me laughing out loud.
I was pleasantly surprised by the touches of paranormal/supernatural thrown into the story. It was unique without taking away from the reality of the story. I also loved the bits about God and our free will as humans. I agree with the stance the characters took and appreciated the author including the subtle messages.
My only issues with the story were a couple of the things Sabrina will mention in more depth to follow, including the descriptions of one of the character’s accent and the voices of the characters coming across older than they were. I also felt as if the ending was a bit rushed. We waited throughout the entire book for certain answers to be given and everything felt as if it was dropped at once and in a hurry. I was also disappointed that certain things were left unresolved. However, after discussing the book with a friend, I learned there will be a follow-up to Standing Sideways in the future. I wish that might have been mentioned at the end, in the blurb, or on Goodreads. It tends to change my opinion of a book if I know it’s going to be included in a series. Had I known that from the get-go, I might have been inclined to give the full five-star rating instead of four.
Overall, this book had a great message and helped me learn about things I didn’t have an understanding of prior to reading the book. I love to feel more enlighted after reading and I appreciate the author being able to do that for me. J. Lynn Bailey is a promising writer – I love her style, her characters, and the depth of this story. I can’t wait to read more books by her in the future!
July 27, 2018
3 Stars
Read this and other reviews here: 5171 Miles Book Blog
I found out about Standing Sideways through a blogger friend's review. She loved the book so much and praised it to the highest that I decided to buddy read it with my bestie and book buddy Ashley. I didn't really read my blogger friend's review but I trust her judgment in books, so "why not", I thought.
A big thank you goes out to the author of Standing Sideways, J. Lynn Bailey, who gifted me a copy of her novel.
I went into Standing Sideways totally blind because I not only didn't read my blogger friend's review, I also didn't read the blurb. It was a good thing because I experienced the book and figured out the characters page by page, chapter by chapter.
I really liked the main character's humor. It was cynical, sarcastic, and sinister. But due to certain events happening in the book, Livia's humor faded chapter by chapter until it was nonexistent anymore. It was downright depressing to say the least. I just wanted to shake and yell some sense into her but it wouldn't have helped to be honest. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to finally see clearly and turn your life around for the better.
"You are the only one who knows your own bottom. And you are the only one to decide when enough is enough."
The characters in the book are high school seniors but it honestly didn't fit very well in my opinion. The characters' way of thinking, acting, and talking was too mature and too wise to be coming from seventeen/eighteen-year-olds. I would've believed the characters more if there were older, like in their mid-twenties.
Speaking of characters, I really liked the scenes between redhead Daniel & Livia. Their chemistry was amazing and they had this great connection. However, it would've been - again - more amazing if they had been older.
Since Daniel was not only a redhead but also a Brit, he obviously pronounced most of the words differently. Livia, however, didn't seem to tire to let the reader know he pronounced this word, that word, and this word. We all know that their pronunciation is different and one hell of a lot sexy but we don't need to be remembered of that fact in every Daniel & Livia scene.
About halfway through the book, I asked myself about the meaning of the book: What is the point of the story? Where isit headed? Is it headed somewhere at all? It just seemed so pointless to me and there was no indication that something would happen soon since I only read the same events over and over again, only on a different day.
As you read in the blurb, Livia is mourning the death of her twin brother Jasper. Due to spoilers, I won't mention the events leading to Jasper's death, though.
Of course, it is terrible to lose a sibling, especially if it's a twin sibling but the events of how he died were just accepted like it was normal, and I guess it kind of is normal for them but it is actually not. And I was so bothered by this acceptance, as if they didn't care! How can that be? And it's definitely not the European and German in me talking, it's more the case of common sense. Don't accept it, don't declare it as something normal, learn from past mistakes. DO something to prevent it because it will happen again and again and again...
The ending left me with a lot of questions. So many things were left unanswered and I just felt that the book was not finished yet, it wasn't complete.
I was really excited about Standing Sideways and I really wanted to love it but the story didn't fully convince me - not even after reading the acknowledgments. I know that the author put herself and her feelings out there and I don't want to play that down because I think it's amazing. It's just the story that wasn't for me which is why I gave it 3 stars.
Isn't that what love is? Letting go of what you want, so the other one can live?
**********
It started off really good but then it turned a little boring.
RTC!
Read this and other reviews here: 5171 Miles Book Blog
I found out about Standing Sideways through a blogger friend's review. She loved the book so much and praised it to the highest that I decided to buddy read it with my bestie and book buddy Ashley. I didn't really read my blogger friend's review but I trust her judgment in books, so "why not", I thought.
A big thank you goes out to the author of Standing Sideways, J. Lynn Bailey, who gifted me a copy of her novel.
I went into Standing Sideways totally blind because I not only didn't read my blogger friend's review, I also didn't read the blurb. It was a good thing because I experienced the book and figured out the characters page by page, chapter by chapter.
I really liked the main character's humor. It was cynical, sarcastic, and sinister. But due to certain events happening in the book, Livia's humor faded chapter by chapter until it was nonexistent anymore. It was downright depressing to say the least. I just wanted to shake and yell some sense into her but it wouldn't have helped to be honest. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to finally see clearly and turn your life around for the better.
"You are the only one who knows your own bottom. And you are the only one to decide when enough is enough."
The characters in the book are high school seniors but it honestly didn't fit very well in my opinion. The characters' way of thinking, acting, and talking was too mature and too wise to be coming from seventeen/eighteen-year-olds. I would've believed the characters more if there were older, like in their mid-twenties.
Speaking of characters, I really liked the scenes between redhead Daniel & Livia. Their chemistry was amazing and they had this great connection. However, it would've been - again - more amazing if they had been older.
Since Daniel was not only a redhead but also a Brit, he obviously pronounced most of the words differently. Livia, however, didn't seem to tire to let the reader know he pronounced this word, that word, and this word. We all know that their pronunciation is different and one hell of a lot sexy but we don't need to be remembered of that fact in every Daniel & Livia scene.
About halfway through the book, I asked myself about the meaning of the book: What is the point of the story? Where isit headed? Is it headed somewhere at all? It just seemed so pointless to me and there was no indication that something would happen soon since I only read the same events over and over again, only on a different day.
As you read in the blurb, Livia is mourning the death of her twin brother Jasper. Due to spoilers, I won't mention the events leading to Jasper's death, though.
Of course, it is terrible to lose a sibling, especially if it's a twin sibling but the events of how he died were just accepted like it was normal, and I guess it kind of is normal for them but it is actually not. And I was so bothered by this acceptance, as if they didn't care! How can that be? And it's definitely not the European and German in me talking, it's more the case of common sense. Don't accept it, don't declare it as something normal, learn from past mistakes. DO something to prevent it because it will happen again and again and again...
The ending left me with a lot of questions. So many things were left unanswered and I just felt that the book was not finished yet, it wasn't complete.
I was really excited about Standing Sideways and I really wanted to love it but the story didn't fully convince me - not even after reading the acknowledgments. I know that the author put herself and her feelings out there and I don't want to play that down because I think it's amazing. It's just the story that wasn't for me which is why I gave it 3 stars.
Isn't that what love is? Letting go of what you want, so the other one can live?
**********
It started off really good but then it turned a little boring.
RTC!
March 15, 2018
*I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I actually finished this book a week ago and have been struggling with what I thought of it ever since. I have ultimately decided that I am going to give this book one star and I feel awful doing so but after all it is an honest review. The main problem for me with this book is there was far too many issues and I don’t think one book would be able to deal with them. I think that the author should have stuck with grief and the cause of it rather than the other issues. I wasn’t particular keen on the characters and I struggle to even remember half of their names. The romance was just boring and I felt a bit depressed after I finished but not in a way that the book had a profound effect on me. I feel really awful because it is not often that I one star a book.
I actually finished this book a week ago and have been struggling with what I thought of it ever since. I have ultimately decided that I am going to give this book one star and I feel awful doing so but after all it is an honest review. The main problem for me with this book is there was far too many issues and I don’t think one book would be able to deal with them. I think that the author should have stuck with grief and the cause of it rather than the other issues. I wasn’t particular keen on the characters and I struggle to even remember half of their names. The romance was just boring and I felt a bit depressed after I finished but not in a way that the book had a profound effect on me. I feel really awful because it is not often that I one star a book.
March 21, 2018
“Maybe, sometimes, it’s easier in the dark. When the world doesn’t seem so loud, so chaotic.”
I am a ball of emotions right now. All kinds of them. Sadness. Hope. Awe. Shock. Calmness. Excited. When I opened Standing Sideways I had no idea what to expect as I have never read this author’s work before. But saying I was shockingly pleased would be a tremendous understatement. J. Lynn Bailey completely blew me away.
With a sarcastic, in-your-face, and cutthroat narrative, Livia is one of the most interesting characters I have read to this day. Her struggles and her feelings were ones that I feel as if we can all relate to in one way or another. Her coping mechanisms- I’m sure we have all been there. The beauty of it all? Her character growth. Watching her transform into the person she was meant to be was an incredible journey for me. Watching her find her way, the way she needed to and the way she did it (good or bad) was even better. I felt like I was right beside her cheering her on every step of the way.
“Grief makes us do funny things. Our minds, once ours, are now blind by eternal light. Where we wait for our loved ones, in limbo, somewhere between heartbeats.”
I really enjoyed that the author didn’t base this novel around romance. That is not what Standing Sideways is about to me. Sure, Daniel is a great addition, but it wasn’t an addition that Livia herself needed. She wanted Daniel, but all through out the novel she didn’t need him to do what she had to for herself and THAT is what this book was about. A girl grieving, coping, and healing in a way that didn’t involved any one else but herself. She had support and the people there and she used what she had to but she had to find herself and watching her do that was incredible.
“I want to get lost in her words. Roll in them. And push them away and leave them in the dark by themselves to find their own way out.”
This is exactly how I felt about J. Lynn Bailey and her words. I wanted to get lost in them. I wanted to be buried in them. I wanted to be trapped in a dark room with them. They were just…exceptional. That’s just the only way I can put it.
“And just because you’ve lost your way doesn’t mean I won’t help you find it because you don’t give up on others. It might be that you can’t see the light right now, Liv, but I do. I’ll be your eyes until you can see the same person I see sitting in front of me.”
I have this five-star review, something I hardly ever write and I have this immense love for this book I just discovered but I’m still wondering about a few loose ends. I won’t acknowledge them in the review in fear of spoilers for others but I do wonder how a couple of things panned out and what happened to a couple of other things as well. But ultimately- that didn’t deter my love for the story and the message the author was portraying to her readers.
The story itself was so compelling and raw. The way that the author portrayed not just Livia’s grief but others as well was told in a way I hadn’t read before. It was heavy. I could totally settle for a Daniel book. Or even a Cao one. But I’m so happy I experienced this read. I’m just so happy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. You did me a solid on this one.
I am a ball of emotions right now. All kinds of them. Sadness. Hope. Awe. Shock. Calmness. Excited. When I opened Standing Sideways I had no idea what to expect as I have never read this author’s work before. But saying I was shockingly pleased would be a tremendous understatement. J. Lynn Bailey completely blew me away.
With a sarcastic, in-your-face, and cutthroat narrative, Livia is one of the most interesting characters I have read to this day. Her struggles and her feelings were ones that I feel as if we can all relate to in one way or another. Her coping mechanisms- I’m sure we have all been there. The beauty of it all? Her character growth. Watching her transform into the person she was meant to be was an incredible journey for me. Watching her find her way, the way she needed to and the way she did it (good or bad) was even better. I felt like I was right beside her cheering her on every step of the way.
“Grief makes us do funny things. Our minds, once ours, are now blind by eternal light. Where we wait for our loved ones, in limbo, somewhere between heartbeats.”
I really enjoyed that the author didn’t base this novel around romance. That is not what Standing Sideways is about to me. Sure, Daniel is a great addition, but it wasn’t an addition that Livia herself needed. She wanted Daniel, but all through out the novel she didn’t need him to do what she had to for herself and THAT is what this book was about. A girl grieving, coping, and healing in a way that didn’t involved any one else but herself. She had support and the people there and she used what she had to but she had to find herself and watching her do that was incredible.
“I want to get lost in her words. Roll in them. And push them away and leave them in the dark by themselves to find their own way out.”
This is exactly how I felt about J. Lynn Bailey and her words. I wanted to get lost in them. I wanted to be buried in them. I wanted to be trapped in a dark room with them. They were just…exceptional. That’s just the only way I can put it.
“And just because you’ve lost your way doesn’t mean I won’t help you find it because you don’t give up on others. It might be that you can’t see the light right now, Liv, but I do. I’ll be your eyes until you can see the same person I see sitting in front of me.”
I have this five-star review, something I hardly ever write and I have this immense love for this book I just discovered but I’m still wondering about a few loose ends. I won’t acknowledge them in the review in fear of spoilers for others but I do wonder how a couple of things panned out and what happened to a couple of other things as well. But ultimately- that didn’t deter my love for the story and the message the author was portraying to her readers.
The story itself was so compelling and raw. The way that the author portrayed not just Livia’s grief but others as well was told in a way I hadn’t read before. It was heavy. I could totally settle for a Daniel book. Or even a Cao one. But I’m so happy I experienced this read. I’m just so happy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. You did me a solid on this one.
February 12, 2018
There are books, and there are THE BOOKS. Those life-changing-heart-wrecking-eye-popping kind of stories that you just have the pleasure to read a few times in your life. Well, let me tell you all that, this year, I found mine. The name of that book is "Standing Sideways"
Most of the time, I like that surprise effect I get when I don't even read a blurb. Not because I'm not curious, it's because I love to figure out on my own, what will happen next in the story after I read the prologue or the first few pages. And you know what? I got that in this book.
Every time I turned a page, I so wanted to read more and more and never stop. But you see, when you find a story just like this one, you just can't be greedy. You need to enjoy it at your own pace. To feel every word in your soul. No matter how much you crave a HEA.
So, I waited, even when I was warned about some "cry me a river" parts in the book, even when I felt hopeless reading the characters struggles or when I wanted so badly to help them in any way possible because I knew what they were feeling; I lived it too.
So, no. I don't regret one bit how patient I had to be, because it was so worth it.
But this wouldn't have happen, if it wasn't for J. Lynn Bailey.
I know all of us get super excited with famous authors, but for me, nothing is better than finding new ones. Because there are so many promising authors out there, that I wish more people could know about them. About the power they hold in their fingers everytime they share unforgettable stories like this one. And J. Lynn, is that kind of author.
She not only broke my heart in tiny little pieces, she also glued it back together with her flawless, delightful and remarkable words. And for that same reason, now, I feel so lighthearted that, even writing this review, bring me happy tears.
So, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for sharing this story with all of us.
My favorite book of this 2018 and it won't be the last one from this amazing author. That's for sure.
¨If you walk on this earth, if you can smell the fragance of the flowers or if you can feel with the tip of your fingers, the tears rolling down your cheeks; it means you are still alive. It means you need to start living and keep doing it for those who didn't make it¨ - Carolina León.
For all the people that read and will read this book.
<3
Most of the time, I like that surprise effect I get when I don't even read a blurb. Not because I'm not curious, it's because I love to figure out on my own, what will happen next in the story after I read the prologue or the first few pages. And you know what? I got that in this book.
Every time I turned a page, I so wanted to read more and more and never stop. But you see, when you find a story just like this one, you just can't be greedy. You need to enjoy it at your own pace. To feel every word in your soul. No matter how much you crave a HEA.
So, I waited, even when I was warned about some "cry me a river" parts in the book, even when I felt hopeless reading the characters struggles or when I wanted so badly to help them in any way possible because I knew what they were feeling; I lived it too.
So, no. I don't regret one bit how patient I had to be, because it was so worth it.
But this wouldn't have happen, if it wasn't for J. Lynn Bailey.
I know all of us get super excited with famous authors, but for me, nothing is better than finding new ones. Because there are so many promising authors out there, that I wish more people could know about them. About the power they hold in their fingers everytime they share unforgettable stories like this one. And J. Lynn, is that kind of author.
She not only broke my heart in tiny little pieces, she also glued it back together with her flawless, delightful and remarkable words. And for that same reason, now, I feel so lighthearted that, even writing this review, bring me happy tears.
So, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for sharing this story with all of us.
My favorite book of this 2018 and it won't be the last one from this amazing author. That's for sure.
¨If you walk on this earth, if you can smell the fragance of the flowers or if you can feel with the tip of your fingers, the tears rolling down your cheeks; it means you are still alive. It means you need to start living and keep doing it for those who didn't make it¨ - Carolina León.
For all the people that read and will read this book.
<3
Want to read
September 4, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (9/4/2018)!💝
Blurb:
When Livia Stone suddenly loses her twin brother, Jasper, she must learn to navigate her new life alone. As she faces tragedy and starts down a road toward
self-destruction, Daniel enters Livia’s life—at a moment when she needs it most.
Standing Sideways is a poignant, relevant, and touching story of survival, courage, and compassion that will have readers crying, laughing, and most of all, debating the issues affecting the lives of parents and teens alike on a journey of hope and forgiveness.
Blurb:
When Livia Stone suddenly loses her twin brother, Jasper, she must learn to navigate her new life alone. As she faces tragedy and starts down a road toward
self-destruction, Daniel enters Livia’s life—at a moment when she needs it most.
Standing Sideways is a poignant, relevant, and touching story of survival, courage, and compassion that will have readers crying, laughing, and most of all, debating the issues affecting the lives of parents and teens alike on a journey of hope and forgiveness.
February 2, 2018
3.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My English review
When I saw the theme of the novel and the cover, I admit that I was intrigued. I did not know the author and I was curious to discover this story.
Livia lost her twin brother and since then she has been falling into self-destruction. Everything happens there: sex, drugs, alcohol, lies or even changes in attitude. It’s pretty sad to follow our heroine, she would like to get better but she can not do it because she wants to forget. However, when she meets Daniel, she tries to change, to improve but it’s not easy and it does not change everything she has done, or continues to do.
It was an intense story and I found it interesting to follow Livia. On the other hand, it is true that I found it a bit unfortunate that so many topics are discussed here because in the end I had the impression that many things remained on the surface. However, I had a good time with the story and I liked the author’s ideas. An interesting read.
Mon avis en Français
My English review
When I saw the theme of the novel and the cover, I admit that I was intrigued. I did not know the author and I was curious to discover this story.
Livia lost her twin brother and since then she has been falling into self-destruction. Everything happens there: sex, drugs, alcohol, lies or even changes in attitude. It’s pretty sad to follow our heroine, she would like to get better but she can not do it because she wants to forget. However, when she meets Daniel, she tries to change, to improve but it’s not easy and it does not change everything she has done, or continues to do.
It was an intense story and I found it interesting to follow Livia. On the other hand, it is true that I found it a bit unfortunate that so many topics are discussed here because in the end I had the impression that many things remained on the surface. However, I had a good time with the story and I liked the author’s ideas. An interesting read.
May 31, 2019
Thank you to Xpress Book Tours for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a good read. Although quick, it definitely wasn’t easy.
This follows the story of Livia, who just lost her twin brother. The better twin, as she says.
You see all had decisions after the death. The bad, and good, decisions. It shows how everyone deals with grief differently. Not all ways are good.
At the end of the book, I was surprised to learn this is based off a true story. It made it that much more real, heartbreaking, but also joyous. Also— all proceeds of this book go to charity so how great is that?!
I would definitely recommend this book. It gave me all the feels.
This was such a good read. Although quick, it definitely wasn’t easy.
This follows the story of Livia, who just lost her twin brother. The better twin, as she says.
You see all had decisions after the death. The bad, and good, decisions. It shows how everyone deals with grief differently. Not all ways are good.
At the end of the book, I was surprised to learn this is based off a true story. It made it that much more real, heartbreaking, but also joyous. Also— all proceeds of this book go to charity so how great is that?!
I would definitely recommend this book. It gave me all the feels.
January 13, 2018
It's hard to express how much you love a book. Trust me when I say you need to read it! I was hooked from the beginning. Liv's story of grief, love, friendship, and family took me through a journey of laughter and tears. Thank you for such a great story J. Lynn Bailey!
March 3, 2018
A huge Thank-You to Xpresso Book Tours, via Netgalley for allowing me to read Standing Sideways by J. Lynn Bailey in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger Warning:
Grief, Drug Abuse, Alcoholism, Death, & Gun Violence Resulting in Death, Car Accident, Car Accident Resulting in Death.
I had thoughts on this book before I actually sat down to read it. Mostly I thought that Standing Sideways would, overall, be a happy book. Oh how wrong I was.
Standing Sideways is a book that I ended up reading in one sitting. I literally could not tear my eyes away from the words that J. Lynn Bailey has written. While the author mentioned that there were some very real aspects of this book, most of the book is fictional. That said though, J. Lynn Bailey’s writing is so vivid, her characters are so real, I could just reach in and pull them out, they’d be real people.
Standing Sideways starts off with us knowing that the main character, Livia, is grieving her brothers death. Through the book, we follow Livia as she lives her life grieving her older brother. We see her make decisions that she shouldn’t. Honestly, I saw a young girl grieving and dealing with her grief in the only way she knew how.
Standing Sideways is at times brutally honest, and at other times, just makes you feel for the characters in the story. My eyes wanted to leak so badly through the last bit of Standing Sideways. Seriously; I’m not a person who normally cries while they read a book. Yet J. Lynn Bailey perfectly pulled at my heartstrings and emotions.
I personally connected with a certain aspect of this novel, which was something that I didn’t expect at all.
In terms of predicting anything, I didn’t particularly want to predict anything, so I didn’t. Thus making Standing Sideways unpredictable.
Seeing Livia’s journey through to the end though was amazing to read about. I’m honestly really glad that I read Standing Sideways.
What makes this book so real, so believable to me is that this book is real. Livia is a smart girl, and she deals with real world problems that actually quite a lot of people face. She makes real life decisions. When Livia decides to do what she does, I can empathize with her.
Overall, while Standing Sideways is a heavier novel, I did enjoy reading it.
Standing Sideways hit me in the chest and still hasn’t let go. I’m going to be remembering Livia’s story for a long time.
Trigger Warning:
Grief, Drug Abuse, Alcoholism, Death, & Gun Violence Resulting in Death, Car Accident, Car Accident Resulting in Death.
I had thoughts on this book before I actually sat down to read it. Mostly I thought that Standing Sideways would, overall, be a happy book. Oh how wrong I was.
Standing Sideways is a book that I ended up reading in one sitting. I literally could not tear my eyes away from the words that J. Lynn Bailey has written. While the author mentioned that there were some very real aspects of this book, most of the book is fictional. That said though, J. Lynn Bailey’s writing is so vivid, her characters are so real, I could just reach in and pull them out, they’d be real people.
Standing Sideways starts off with us knowing that the main character, Livia, is grieving her brothers death. Through the book, we follow Livia as she lives her life grieving her older brother. We see her make decisions that she shouldn’t. Honestly, I saw a young girl grieving and dealing with her grief in the only way she knew how.
Standing Sideways is at times brutally honest, and at other times, just makes you feel for the characters in the story. My eyes wanted to leak so badly through the last bit of Standing Sideways. Seriously; I’m not a person who normally cries while they read a book. Yet J. Lynn Bailey perfectly pulled at my heartstrings and emotions.
I personally connected with a certain aspect of this novel, which was something that I didn’t expect at all.
In terms of predicting anything, I didn’t particularly want to predict anything, so I didn’t. Thus making Standing Sideways unpredictable.
Seeing Livia’s journey through to the end though was amazing to read about. I’m honestly really glad that I read Standing Sideways.
What makes this book so real, so believable to me is that this book is real. Livia is a smart girl, and she deals with real world problems that actually quite a lot of people face. She makes real life decisions. When Livia decides to do what she does, I can empathize with her.
Overall, while Standing Sideways is a heavier novel, I did enjoy reading it.
Standing Sideways hit me in the chest and still hasn’t let go. I’m going to be remembering Livia’s story for a long time.
September 13, 2018
Some language but it was a good story other than that
November 24, 2018
I felt sad throughout most of this book. Not to give the wrong impression, it was a fantastic story, just very sad content. Livia has just lost her twin brother, her other half, her only sibling, her friend, her advisor. She feels lost, struggles daily, hourly with her grief, sits on the floor of his closet to feel close to him & each day is more difficult than the last. Once an A student, she now struggles with school, misses classes & assignments, abuses her daily prescribed medication...she's a mess. She has a very supportive best friend, Cao, who looks out for her, checks in, puts up with her lies & destructive behavior. Cao is just always there for her. Then, new guy at school Daniel enters the picture. From England, Livia loves just about everything about him, his accent, his appearance but especially she loves the way he makes her feel. There's an instant compatability, & also more sadness. You see, Daniel is also struggling with very tragic family issues. One might think they could be the other's elixir. Could this be a fairytale in the making? Unfortunately life, their life, doesn't play out that way.
This book is raw, emotional & honestly could be anyone's story. Teen life is tough enough without the extra challenges of death, gossip, family issues & substance abuse. The author wrote a very moving story, a "keeper" in my opinion, & I know a few years from now, I will be re-reading this one again.
This book is raw, emotional & honestly could be anyone's story. Teen life is tough enough without the extra challenges of death, gossip, family issues & substance abuse. The author wrote a very moving story, a "keeper" in my opinion, & I know a few years from now, I will be re-reading this one again.
January 24, 2018
*** I was granted a digital copy of Standing Sideways by J. Lynn Bailey from J. House Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
J. Lynn Bailey managed to hit close to home with Standing Sideways. Never have I been able to connect so completely to a book in my life. Having gone on a downward spiral myself do to the grief caused by losing a loved one I was able to relate to Livia in a way that I have not been able to connect to any other character ever.
This book takes you on Livia's journey of coping with the grief that accompanies the loss of her brother Jasper. It is a raw, gritty look into what it is like when you have no clue how to go on with your life without that person in it. Standing Sideways so an honest account of how painful and destructive decisions can become when your emotions are running around madly.
Bailey did not do what most authors do when showing what loss is like; she did not sugar coat how nasty this pain can be. She takes you on a journey full of truth, even if that truth is not always pretty to look at. You may shed a few tears during this read, but you will be immersed in a world that is all too real for some of us.
For me, Standing Sideways is a must read for 2018. It is emotional and beautiful. Once you start Livia's story you will not want to put it down.
J. Lynn Bailey managed to hit close to home with Standing Sideways. Never have I been able to connect so completely to a book in my life. Having gone on a downward spiral myself do to the grief caused by losing a loved one I was able to relate to Livia in a way that I have not been able to connect to any other character ever.
This book takes you on Livia's journey of coping with the grief that accompanies the loss of her brother Jasper. It is a raw, gritty look into what it is like when you have no clue how to go on with your life without that person in it. Standing Sideways so an honest account of how painful and destructive decisions can become when your emotions are running around madly.
Bailey did not do what most authors do when showing what loss is like; she did not sugar coat how nasty this pain can be. She takes you on a journey full of truth, even if that truth is not always pretty to look at. You may shed a few tears during this read, but you will be immersed in a world that is all too real for some of us.
For me, Standing Sideways is a must read for 2018. It is emotional and beautiful. Once you start Livia's story you will not want to put it down.
Read
March 11, 2020...
S P O I L E R
The heroine often has sex with is friend's boyfrien (Simon was also Jasper's best friend. Jasper = heroine brother = Dead)
She even continues to have sex with Simon when she already meets Daniel and feels things for him.
The excuse? Having sex together helps them overcome Jasper's loss (No comment)
They publish sexual images of Simon with the heroine.
The friend forgives them instantly, because the heroine is so cool that she can't hate her (WTF?)
Daniel gets angry and puts distance. Just a few days.
And it turns out in the end that Simon is gay?
(...) (...) (...)
La heroína a menudo tiene relaciones sexuales con el novio de su amiga (Simon también era el mejor amigo de Jasper. Jasper = hermano heroina = Muerto)
Ella incluso continúa teniendo relaciones sexuales con Simon cuando ya conoce a Daniel y siente cosas por él.
¿La excusa? Tener sexo juntos los ayuda a superra la perddida de Jasper (Sin comentarios)
Publican imágenes sexuales de Simon con la heroína.
La amiga los perdona al instante, porque la heroína es taaaan genial que no puede odiarla (¿WTF?)
Daniel se enoja y pone distancia. Sólo pocos días.
Y resulta al final que Simon es gay (?)
S P O I L E R
The heroine often has sex with is friend's boyfrien (Simon was also Jasper's best friend. Jasper = heroine brother = Dead)
She even continues to have sex with Simon when she already meets Daniel and feels things for him.
The excuse? Having sex together helps them overcome Jasper's loss (No comment)
They publish sexual images of Simon with the heroine.
The friend forgives them instantly, because the heroine is so cool that she can't hate her (WTF?)
Daniel gets angry and puts distance. Just a few days.
And it turns out in the end that Simon is gay?
(...) (...) (...)
La heroína a menudo tiene relaciones sexuales con el novio de su amiga (Simon también era el mejor amigo de Jasper. Jasper = hermano heroina = Muerto)
Ella incluso continúa teniendo relaciones sexuales con Simon cuando ya conoce a Daniel y siente cosas por él.
¿La excusa? Tener sexo juntos los ayuda a superra la perddida de Jasper (Sin comentarios)
Publican imágenes sexuales de Simon con la heroína.
La amiga los perdona al instante, porque la heroína es taaaan genial que no puede odiarla (¿WTF?)
Daniel se enoja y pone distancia. Sólo pocos días.
Y resulta al final que Simon es gay (?)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2018
5* Two Broken Half Hearts Stars
This book was steeped in sadness and grief. The story is about Livia who has lost her twin brother in a tragic accident at 17 years old and how she tries to cope with his death and the sorrow that surrounded her. This was not an easy story to read, as it was raw and fraught with emotions and the destructive ways of coping with her heartache.
It was very well written and told from Livia’s POV. The secondary characters were very likeable and realistic.
I highly recommend this powerful emotionally felt story that deals with grief, anger, forgiveness, sadness, and family. The cover of the book was very beautiful too.
Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book for me to read.
This book was steeped in sadness and grief. The story is about Livia who has lost her twin brother in a tragic accident at 17 years old and how she tries to cope with his death and the sorrow that surrounded her. This was not an easy story to read, as it was raw and fraught with emotions and the destructive ways of coping with her heartache.
It was very well written and told from Livia’s POV. The secondary characters were very likeable and realistic.
I highly recommend this powerful emotionally felt story that deals with grief, anger, forgiveness, sadness, and family. The cover of the book was very beautiful too.
Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book for me to read.
May 6, 2019
4,5 stars
This book was so emotional and I really enjoyed reading it. It was absolutely amazing story. A touching beautiful story. This book make me laugh and cry.
The main characters are well developed.
We follow Livia who lost her twin brother. She need to find a way how to live without him and how to survive in this world without him. She has had a lot of problems but at the end she survive and fell in love. Livia finally finds the right way to countinue her life.
It was a powerful story with an incredible message. Definitely will be reading more of J. Lynn Bailey.
Highly recommended!
I received a copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
My blog
This book was so emotional and I really enjoyed reading it. It was absolutely amazing story. A touching beautiful story. This book make me laugh and cry.
The main characters are well developed.
We follow Livia who lost her twin brother. She need to find a way how to live without him and how to survive in this world without him. She has had a lot of problems but at the end she survive and fell in love. Livia finally finds the right way to countinue her life.
It was a powerful story with an incredible message. Definitely will be reading more of J. Lynn Bailey.
Highly recommended!
I received a copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
My blog
February 5, 2018
I really couldn't relate too much to these characters. I thought the premise was good. And I did get emotional at one point. It's a very sad and depressing book. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if this was me. But something just wasn't meshing completely and I found myself wanting to read quickly or even skim a few sections.
Want to read
September 5, 2018Free on Kindle
October 5, 2018
Beautiful and emotional!! Loved it!!!
December 4, 2020
I enjoyed most of the book until The last 50 pages. I loved that it took place in Fortuna, although I thought it was lame that the author changed some names and Not all of them. Why not keep them all consistent? It also hit a bit too close to home dealing with two deaths and one from breast cancer. The end of the book took a super weird turn with the main character becoming an alcoholic. There were also a lot of unanswered questions which I did not appreciate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2018
I enjoyed this book, it was really good. And i really enjoy finding new to me authors- its one of my favorite things. I really wanted to read this book because of the cover- it is so damn beautiful. I didn’t even really read the blurb, but I was definitely intrigued. This is a story about grief and courage- but its also about forgiveness.
This book tells the story of Livia and how she recently lost her brother. Not just her brother- her twin at that. I cant even imagine how she feels on a personal level because I have never experienced loss that severe- but because of the way its described, I feel like I know more of her feeling. See, her coping mechanism for dealing with this grief is basically to lash out and go down in flames. She feels haunted and has no idea what to do in her life, without Jasper.
When Livia feels like she cant get any lower than she already feels, Daniel comes into her life. But really Daniel has his own demons in the closet- so she isn’t sure he can be the one to save her either. This story is truly just a well written coming of age drama, with love and loss spread throughout. The plot flows smoothly, the characters are well written and developed- all in all I rate this story 4 stars. It was very good, and I would recommend it to all of my friends who enjoy a good YA!
This book tells the story of Livia and how she recently lost her brother. Not just her brother- her twin at that. I cant even imagine how she feels on a personal level because I have never experienced loss that severe- but because of the way its described, I feel like I know more of her feeling. See, her coping mechanism for dealing with this grief is basically to lash out and go down in flames. She feels haunted and has no idea what to do in her life, without Jasper.
When Livia feels like she cant get any lower than she already feels, Daniel comes into her life. But really Daniel has his own demons in the closet- so she isn’t sure he can be the one to save her either. This story is truly just a well written coming of age drama, with love and loss spread throughout. The plot flows smoothly, the characters are well written and developed- all in all I rate this story 4 stars. It was very good, and I would recommend it to all of my friends who enjoy a good YA!
March 13, 2018
Phenomenal read! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. We all have that book that comes along and leaves it's mark... I can say Standing Sideways has left it's mark.
Everyone grieves differently. J. Lynn Bailey's character, Livia, has lost her twin brother, Jasper. Through her pain, she will do anything to feel numb. We all know death happens, but it's never easy when it's someone you love. We see how a family grieves the loss of a son and brother. The author has written from her heart. There are so many different emotions in this book. Livia is a teenager who is looking to go to a Ivy League school. She’s always been the good girl. Her life was planned and structured. But being consumed by unfathomable grief, Livia has become some one no one would recognize. But sometimes, a person has to hit rock bottom before she can fly.
Everyone should read Standing Sideways. It is beautiful and will captivate you to your core. This is a book that I'd even recommend to teenagers as it deals with a very relatable subject matter. J. Lynn Bailey depicts some very serious issues and does it so wonderfully. She points out that it doesn’t matter your social status or race, anyone could be in this same situation. I truly can not recommend this book enough.
Everyone grieves differently. J. Lynn Bailey's character, Livia, has lost her twin brother, Jasper. Through her pain, she will do anything to feel numb. We all know death happens, but it's never easy when it's someone you love. We see how a family grieves the loss of a son and brother. The author has written from her heart. There are so many different emotions in this book. Livia is a teenager who is looking to go to a Ivy League school. She’s always been the good girl. Her life was planned and structured. But being consumed by unfathomable grief, Livia has become some one no one would recognize. But sometimes, a person has to hit rock bottom before she can fly.
Everyone should read Standing Sideways. It is beautiful and will captivate you to your core. This is a book that I'd even recommend to teenagers as it deals with a very relatable subject matter. J. Lynn Bailey depicts some very serious issues and does it so wonderfully. She points out that it doesn’t matter your social status or race, anyone could be in this same situation. I truly can not recommend this book enough.
July 23, 2018
"Standing Sideways" foi um livro que me cativou desde o início. Em primeiro lugar, pela personalidade da Livia; em segundo lugar, pelo aparecimento inesperado de Daniel e pela sua forma característica de não querer saber o que os outros pensam de si.
Livia tem vivido atormentada pela morte do seu irmão. Ir à escola é um suplício, estar com a sua mãe é ser relembrada uma e outra vez do que se passou e estar com a sua melhor amiga é estar constantemente a ser pressionada para seguir em frente.
Mas Livia tem de conseguir viver este período difícil à sua maneira e ao seu ritmo, mesmo que isso signifique que ela queira usar as camisolas do seu irmão ou que tenha de tomar medicação para conseguir acalmar os seus pensamentos.
Quando Daniel cruza Livia vindo de Inglaterra, ambos percebem que se podem ajudar mutuamente. Tal como Livia, também Daniel vive momentos conturbados. Mas, será que é benéfico para algum deles quando ambos estão a sofrer?
A história pode soar um pouco cliché mas a verdade é que há alguns contornos da história e segredos que Livia vai descobrindo que tornam este livro cativante e diferente! Apesar de estar a torcer por Livia e Daniel, fiquei destroçada com o final... Mas apesar de tudo, seria de esperar que o final da história de Livia e Daniel foi fosse exatamente com esperava. No entanto, ainda assim, um livro que me apaixonou!
Livia tem vivido atormentada pela morte do seu irmão. Ir à escola é um suplício, estar com a sua mãe é ser relembrada uma e outra vez do que se passou e estar com a sua melhor amiga é estar constantemente a ser pressionada para seguir em frente.
Mas Livia tem de conseguir viver este período difícil à sua maneira e ao seu ritmo, mesmo que isso signifique que ela queira usar as camisolas do seu irmão ou que tenha de tomar medicação para conseguir acalmar os seus pensamentos.
Quando Daniel cruza Livia vindo de Inglaterra, ambos percebem que se podem ajudar mutuamente. Tal como Livia, também Daniel vive momentos conturbados. Mas, será que é benéfico para algum deles quando ambos estão a sofrer?
A história pode soar um pouco cliché mas a verdade é que há alguns contornos da história e segredos que Livia vai descobrindo que tornam este livro cativante e diferente! Apesar de estar a torcer por Livia e Daniel, fiquei destroçada com o final... Mas apesar de tudo, seria de esperar que o final da história de Livia e Daniel foi fosse exatamente com esperava. No entanto, ainda assim, um livro que me apaixonou!
August 27, 2018
Ive never read anything by this author. I really wanted to read this book based solely on the cover and the blurb. I knew it was a book i wanted to delve deeply into. Little did i know it would consume me! I felt huge amounts of emotion while reading this beautifully and poignantly told story. It was real it was raw and it was incredibly good.
The author did a fantastic job and took me on a real epic journey. I liked that this book touched on different topics such as Death, Moving on after Death and Alcoholism. I think the characters were strong and really well placed.
Livia is trying to cope after the death of her twin brother Jasper but she might have made some really bad decisions...
Cao is Livia's best friend and she's trying to settle in being that shes a Chinese-American.
Simon is/was Jasper's best friend and he is also coping with the loss of Jasper.
Daniel. Hes new to Belle Harbour. Circumstances have bought his arrival, but he also has struggles ahead of him.
This book was a really good read. There were times i cried, and times i sat absolutely speechless. I really loved the ending. And then the aspect that the book itself was based on a true story. I will definitely be reading more of this authors work!
The author did a fantastic job and took me on a real epic journey. I liked that this book touched on different topics such as Death, Moving on after Death and Alcoholism. I think the characters were strong and really well placed.
Livia is trying to cope after the death of her twin brother Jasper but she might have made some really bad decisions...
Cao is Livia's best friend and she's trying to settle in being that shes a Chinese-American.
Simon is/was Jasper's best friend and he is also coping with the loss of Jasper.
Daniel. Hes new to Belle Harbour. Circumstances have bought his arrival, but he also has struggles ahead of him.
This book was a really good read. There were times i cried, and times i sat absolutely speechless. I really loved the ending. And then the aspect that the book itself was based on a true story. I will definitely be reading more of this authors work!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews