A Whisper Around Your Name

Dreamcatcher #1

by Emma Scott, Inka Marter (Translator)

Eine dramatische Reise voller Träume und Hoffnungen! Um ein Leben zu retten, muss man bereits sein, sich dem Abgrund zu stellen

Seit dem Tod ihrer Mutter zieht Jo mit ihrem Onkel ständig um. Doch diesmal will sie bleiben. Denn da ist Evan, der aussieht wie der Golden Boy der Schule, aber von allen wie ein Ausgestoßener behandelt wird. Jo, die Schlimmes erlebt hat und eigentlich niemanden an sich heranlässt, fühlt sich magisch zu dem schweigsamen jungen Mann hingezogen. Bei nächtlichen Treffen im Schwimmbad der Stadt kommen sie sich näher - zwei verletzte Seelen, die sich einander öffnen. Doch dann werden sie durch ein tragisches Ereignis plötzlich getrennt, und für Jo beginnt erneut eine dunkle Zeit, in der sie sich selbst zu verlieren droht. Als Evan nach langer Zeit völlig unerwartet wieder auftaucht, treten sie gemeinsam eine Reise an, die ihr Verderben, aber auch ihre Rettung sein könnte.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Paranormal, Contemporary, Abuse, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy

416 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2016

About the author

Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author whose books have been translated in seven languages and featured in Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today’s Happy Ever After. Her first MM romance, Someday, Someday won the Utopia Con Award for LGBTQ Book of the Year. Emma writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and heroes who treat their heroines like gold, you will enjoy her novels.

RECENT RELEASES all available now and FREE with KU

The Muse an MM romance

Between Hello & Goodbye

The Sinner, a paranormal angels and demons romance

The Lost Boys, a three-book series of interconnected standalones

The Girl in the Love Song
When You Come Back to Me
The Last Piece of His Heart

Someday, Someday M/M romance (Winner! LGBTQ Book of the Year, Utopia Con)

A Five-Minute Life


UPCOMING RELEASES:

The Muse 2022

You can follow me on all the places...

emmascottwrites.com

Super-cute NON SPAMMY newsletter: http://bit.ly/2nTGLf6

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fqUULx

author page: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaScottwri...

Reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/90674...

Email: emmascottpromo@gmail.com

Reviews

[Aestas Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ::::


WOW!! What a gorgeous book! It had flawless writing, breathtaking intensity, and a captivating love story that made my heart race. I loved every single word. This was pure book heaven! 

“Do you remember what I told you? That last night...?”

The rain poured down like tears on our faces. He raised a hand to touch my cheek, his eyes full. “I’ll always come back to you.”

“I remember,” I said softly.

From the moment I heard about this book, I knew I wanted to read it. The unique sound of the story grabbed my attention and made me desperate to find out more...

Josephine Clark is trapped. A harrowing past haunts her every time she looks in the mirror, and she can’t escape the violence of her everyday life. More and more, her thoughts turn to Evan Salinger, the boy she knew in high school. The boy they called a mental case. A loner. A freak. The boy who seemed to know things no one could know. For a few short weeks, Jo had found perfect solace in Evan’s company, sneaking every night to meet him at the local pool. In the cool of the water and the warmth of Evan’s arms around her, Jo had tasted something close to happiness. 

Cruel circumstances tore them apart, and four years later, the sweet memory of their time together is dissolving under the punishing reality of Jo’s life now. Evan seems like a fading dream…until he reappears at the moment she needs him most. Guided by Evan’s strange intuition, they flee her small Louisiana town, on the run from the police, and Jo begins to suspect there is something more to his sudden return than he admits. 

Over twelve days across America’s heartland, deep secrets come to light, buried pasts are unearthed, and the line between dreams and reality is blurred as Evan and Jo fight to hold on to their soul-deep love, and discover that there is more than one way to save a life. 

It honestly felt like the story came alive in my mind as I read. All the emotions were portrayed so vividly. That intense *pull* between the hero and heroine... the spark... the pain... the longing... the secrets... it was all there in the perfect balance. And the more I read, the more invested I became in the story.

Jo was such a compelling heroine. Emotionally scarred in the worst way and betrayed by an uncle she should have been able to trust, her life fell apart after she gathered the courage to speak out. Left without her parents, a scarred face, and no where to belong, she still wouldn't allow herself to become the victim. Regaining control of her life in any way she could, she survived and she stayed strong.

But everything changed when she met Evan. The loner, the freak, the pariah of the school... but also a heart-stoppingly gorgeous guy who she felt drawn to and couldn't stop thinking about. And the more she learned about this mysterious, misunderstood boy, the more she fell in love with him.

No black clothes or emo make up or stringy hair. Not this guy. Evan Salinger was, to put it mildly, fucking gorgeous.

I kept staring. For all his hard angles and masculine ruggedness, there was some intangible softness about him too. I don’t know how or why I could possibly know this at first glance, but to me Evan looked like he’d spill the deepest secrets of his heart to the first person to show him any kindness.

Evan is one of those guys who will straight up steal your heart forever. He was such an incredibly selfless, protective, kind-hearted person that it made my heart ache to see the kind of life he'd been forced to live. Given the pain in his life, seeing him fall in love with Jo was beautiful. It was just so right.

We exchanged looks, a commiseration; the girl with a scar and the boy with the freaky rep, and something shifted between us. An unspoken understanding that drew me closer to him without having moved an inch.

They were downright adorable together! Every scene pulled my heart strings...

“Wait here.” I ran back up to my room to grab his blue-and-black plaid flannel shirt, still in my possession. Back on the porch, I handed it over.

“My shirt. I forgot you had it.”

“It’s ‘my’ shirt. You need to go home tonight and sleep in it. I made the mistake of washing it and now it doesn’t smell like you anymore.”

He turned the shirt over and over in his hand, laughing and shaking his head.

“And I want it back first thing in the morning. You read me?”

I especially appreciated just how functional they were as a couple. There was really no stupidity in this book and I respect the author so much for not using misunderstandings as a way to drive the story forward. Instead, the drama came from sources external to their relationship and you very much get the feeling that it's all about them together against the world without ever questioning their love.

His fingers ran through my hair and caressed my cheek. “Let’s do something really fucking crazy and trust each other.”

As the blurb says though, things don't all go according to plan and they're ripped away from each other at the worst possible time. That moment though right before when I could see this perfect future for them as a real possibility and it was like right there -- I could almost reach out and touch it --  but I knew things were going to get messed up and there was nothing I could do about it..... ahhhhhhhh THE ANGST!!!

Evan. Where are you? Come back to me. I can’t breathe…

When they were separated, it was heart-crushing. Especially with everything that happened after *sniff*. But the way he saved her brought ALL THE FEELS!!!!! I don't want to say anything more but literally the way they find their way back to each other and the whole rest of the story kept me flipping those pages as fast as I could. I didn't stop until the very end and let me tell you -- the very last words of this book are absolutely perfect. My eyes filled with happy tears and I just sat there for a few minutes hugging my book and allowing all the amazing feels to just sink in. I didn't want to let go. And I still don't.

There is a tiny hint of paranormal in this book too. I wanted to quickly address it because I want you to know that this is not a paranormal romance per se, it just requires a tiny bit of suspension of belief. There's no magic, no ghosts, no vampires, no tangible supernatural thing you have to accept. Rather, Evan just knows some seemingly inexplainable things that are essentially real. But that's it. I honestly think even the most devout contemporary reader would have no problems accepting this story.

This is a standalone romance told primarily from her POV, although there are also several chapters from his POV as well. And, I'd consider it somewhere between New Adult and Adult in terms of steam levels. The love scenes are hot and yet beautifully passionate -- focusing just as much on the emotional connection as the physical one.

“Do you ever…” I heard her swallow hard. “Do you think about us? What we had?”

My chest ached at the longing in her voice. The fearful tentative reaching across the space between us.

“Every minute,” I said. “I think about us every minute of my life. All I do is think about us.”

Gah. I FELT THIS BOOK. The writing was so strong that it kept me totally in the story at all times. Real true confession here: I cancelled dinner out with my husband (at a really tasty restaurant too!) just so that I could finish reading this book. It was that good. I quite literally couldn't put it down.

This book has it all. It's passionate and intense, it's heart-breaking and hopeful, it's captivating and addictive, it's beautifully written, and it leaves you with the powerful and uplifting message to never ever give up on true love. I highly recommend it for everyone!!!

“I’ll always come back to you.”

Rating: 5 stars! Standalone romance.
__________________________

For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Twitter
✦ Subscribe by email

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!



How to Save a Life was one of those books I was unable to put down; and I mean that in the most literal way possible. I did not put the book down from the moment I started it to the moment I read the end. Jo and Evan’s story was captivating and so, so special. I love nothing more than reading a book by a new to me author and falling in love. The writing was truly beautiful, the story and characters had so much depth and the book was altogether a very powerful read and one I know I won’t be forgetting. This book was perfect for a reader like me and I’m so glad I picked it up!

Josephine Clark is the new student (once again) in a small town. Jo’s got scars- inside and out. She is closed off and doesn’t get close to anyone. Then she meets Evan Salinger. Evan is a good looking guy, but in a small town, one thing can change how people see you forever. Evan is considered the town freak. But there is something about Evan. Something Jo needs to know. She is enamored by him and that never happens to her.

Evan Salinger had infiltrated my brain. I was trying to keep him out and he kept seeping in.

Jo and Evan develop an unlikely friendship that turns into so much more. It’s not long- just a few weeks, but they are the best weeks of their lives. For the first time in a long time, Evan feels cared about. He feels like someone sees him. And for the first time in a long time, Jo lowers her guard. She opens up to someone and finally lets go a little.

I let go. The shields guarding my heart lowered. Evan wasn’t taking, he was giving. His kiss gave me those impossible things I’d desperately wanted all my life: tenderness, consideration, reverence. I took everything in his kiss, turned it around and gave it back to him. Willingly. Never once wondering what it would cost me later. No price to be paid, only this moment with this boy. The beauty of timing him and his sweet kiss. I let go.


The first half of the story, Jo and Evan’s young love- it moved me. I couldn’t stop reading, gobbling up every word. There were some tough to read scenes (especially with Evan’s family) but I adored Jo and Evan together and their relationship. My hopes were so high. Then they crashed and burned as something horrific happened that tore them apart. Four years pass before they see each other again. Four long years.



I can’t even talk about the last half of the book. My anxiety was at an all-time high reading. My heart ached at certain scenes. And soared with others. It was different from the beginning but just as powerful.

“Do you ever…” I heard her swallow hard. “Do you think about us? What we had?”


My chest ached at the longing in her voice. The fearful tentative reaching across the space between us.

“Every minute,” I said. “I think about us every minute of my life. All I do is think about us.”

Evan Salinger is such a special and unforgettable character. There is something about him that is different, but you will love it. I can’t imagine a fictional character much more perfect than him. I completely adored him. Jo is a heroine that had such a bad lot in life, but she was stronger because of those experiences she had. She was so used to going it alone and never really having anyone, but Evan changed her life just by being there and caring. These two characters deserve all the happiness in the world and they can only find that in each other. I wish at a point things weren’t so complicated for them, but all their circumstances and the things they overcame just showed that much more that they were meant to be.

Emma Scott’s writing blew me away. I have never read anything by her before, but that will change asap! Her writing is captivating, lyrical and strong. This story holds such a special place in my heart and I recommend it to any reader looking for a unique, powerful and stunning romance that will give you ALL THE FEElS! It gets a 5 star rating from me AND goes on my favorites list!

[Ophelia's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW.

A heart wrenching and beautiful love story, with a unique setting and fascinating characters, I stayed up all night because I couldn't put it down!

Evan and Jo's love story was powerful, passionate and so eloquently written I gobbled up every word, I felt every emotion, and I got swept up into their world so completely that they owned my heart.

God. This book was perfection!

Josephine was a girl who went through a lot in her short life, having lost both of her parents, she was under her uncle Gerry's guardianship, he was a trucker therefore they had to move around a lot. When they arrived to their latest stop, she enrolls in the town high school, where she hears whispers about Evan.

The town freak.

The mental case.

The loner.

Being a misfit herself she doesn't give the rumors much credit. I don't want to give you any more details because believe me you'll enjoy the book much more if you go in blind!

Evan was such an honest, deeply emotional, misunderstood guy, I just wanted to hug him and tell him that everything will be okay. He was adopted by a family who already had kids of their own, and his "brothers" abused him. He just wanted out.

"Evan looked like he'd spill the deepest secrets of his heart to the first person that shows him any kindness. He's sort of beautiful."

When Jo and Evan met butterflies took flight in my stomach and I felt every look they shared, every touch, every word, I didn't want it to end. They were such good people in terrible situations with horrible pasts and I just wanted them to get their happily ever after.

The writing was so beautiful, so eloquent, and captivating. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time till the very last page, it was an exhilarating ride and a beautiful story.

“They say all who wander are not lost. But some of us are. We’re really fucking lost, wandering until our feet bleed, and it feels like we’ll never find our way home again.”

I don't want to share any more details because you guys will enjoy it so much more if you go in blind. Just know that it's a beautiful unique story with a beautiful happy ending.

 One of my top favorites of 2016 February's pick 5+++Stars. Highly recommended. 

[✦❋Arianna✦❋ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!!



“How to Save a Life” was a great, captivating read that kept me at the edge of my seat from the very beginning. Honestly it wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It’s a story about life, love, second chances that was equally heartwarming and heart breaking, intense, fast-paced and very emotional at times. First and foremost I have to say the title is very fitting and the cover is pretty great.

“Some people laugh at a situation and say, “Story of my life.” I didn’t have a story. Just a question.
And then what?”

Josephine ‘Jo’ is scarred –inside and out. She has been through a lot – she lost both of her parents and she also lost a piece of herself when her innocence was taken when she was just a child. Her guardianship is her uncle Gerry who’s a trucker, so they have to move around a lot. Jo hates this moving from place to place, because all she wants is to recover herself, to heal.

“I was trapped between who I was and who they wanted me to be and it was crushing the life out of me so I could hardly breathe.”

Evan had been a foster kid, until he was adopted by the town’s mechanic family. He’s known as a weirdo, as a loner. Due a breakdown years ago, he was admitted in a mental institution, event that permanently awarded him the name “Freakshow”. His life is hard. He was abandoned by his parents when he was three years old and growing up in foster care wasn’t easy. At home his adopted brothers give him a hard time and at school everyone thinks he’s just a freak.

“We exchanged looks, a commiseration; the girl with a scar and the boy with the freaky rep, and something shifted between us. An unspoken understanding that drew me closer to him without having moved an inch.”

Jo is intrigued by Evan from the beginning. Even if it’s strange coming from her, she wants to know him more. In a world when he's a misfit, Evan is more than surprised when Jo seems to want to be his friend. They start a tentative friendship and as much as they want to stay detached, they simply can’t. They become something more, falling hard and fast for each other. Unfortunately, their happiness is shattered and they are torn apart.

Years later, Jo still remembers the boy who made her feel so special. She never forget him. Her life in some way is worse than before. Evan’s life changed completely years ago, but somehow he knows Jo needs him. He still loves her and he would do anything…anything for her.

“Do you ever…” I heard her swallow hard. “Do you think about us? What we had?”
My chest ached at the longing in her voice. The fearful tentative reaching across the space between us.
“Every minute,” I said. “I think about us every minute of my life. All I do is think about us.”

This was a beautiful written story that really moved me at times. “How to Save a Life” is a well layered powerful story with a great unique plot and has an interesting storyline.
Both Jo and Evan were well developed, flawed, yet interesting characters you will most definitely sympathize with from the beginning. Both of them had depth, were engaging and also relatable. I liked how well their backgrounds were portrayed. I really felt I knew these characters.

Jo was a engrossing heroine from the start. My heart broke for her. She was so strong despite everything that happened with her. She really was an admirable character. Evan charmed me from the very first moment I met him. Not only he’s gorgeous, but he has a heart of gold. His past really saddened me. He was such a misunderstood boy. I loved the way he was with Jo. He was simply perfect for her. His kindness and his protectiveness warmed my heart. He really made me swoon.

Jo and Evan’s relationship was beautiful, heartwarming, yet tumultuous at times. I loved them together. There were perfect for each other and as the story unfolded they also save each other. And seeing how they did it was really great. I loved their connection, how easily they interacted with each other and I adored the fact their relationship didn’t change over the years. Their love was real and you will fell this as the story progresses.

All in all, this was a wonderful, touching story!

[KAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "And Then What?" Stars!!!

What a hauntingly perfect love story between two individuals living in an imperfect world. Up until the time Jo and Evan find one another, their futures look bleak, perverse and daunting, but once they meet, their hopes soar to heights they never thought were possible. The intense, all-consuming love Jo and Evan share for each other seeped deep into the crevices of my soul, and will stay there forever.

Unexpectedly, each chapter left me breathlessly anticipating what was going to happen next as the years progressed. I found myself on a treacherous wild ride with them, causing an exhilarating uptick in my pulse rate. The storyline has a slight paranormal twist to it which kept surprising me, but in a very, very good way.

  "No one looked at me like this. No one told me I was beautiful. And no boy had ever moved to kiss me like Evan did. His face slowly coming towards mine, his eyes gentle, the warmth of his attention like a roaring fire over me ........ His kiss gave me those impossible things I'd desperately wanted all my life: tenderness, consideration, reverence."

Jo, nearly eighteen, literally has been traveling the United States in a long-haul truck with her dead mother's cousin, Gerry, since she was thirteen years old. Disgusting, unthinkable events happened in her short life, and soon she will be tossed out into the world to fend for herself on the day she turns eighteen. Gerry has no use for her and neither does any of her other family members.

As age eighteen looms closer and closer, Jo has to ask herself, "And then what?" as she and Gerry arrive at their latest destination, Planerville, Iowa, for who knows how long. She hopes they stay put for at least a few weeks so she can finish high school before she is thrown out on her ear. She is certain of one thing, within a short period of time she will be known by her fellow classmates as either "slut" or "freak."

As it turns out, Jo learns on her first day of school the term "freak" already has an owner, and his real name is Evan. What she is totally unprepared for is how awesomely gorgeous he is and feelings he evokes within her. Three years prior, Evan suffered a breakdown in the classroom and was sent to a local mental institution. His fellow students will never let him forget the incident. To befriend Evan is social suicide. But as fate intervenes, Jo's question "And then what?," is answered by none other than the mysterious and beautiful Evan with the sky blue eyes.

  "This doesn't happen to girls like me," I whispered against his neck. "Do you know what I mean?"

  "I know," he murmured against my neck. "It doesn't happen to guys like me, either. Believe me." He held me tighter. "No one touches me."

Emotionally wrecked and damaged, Jo and Evan learn to trust in one another and in the process save each other from those who only want to do them harm and see them suffer.

A passionate, unforgettable romance with a totally fascinating storyline!

[Dana Ilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly delightful tale of a love written in the stars, of an unconditional, selfless bond between two people who find hope and peace in each other, and I fell in love with every single word. Ms Scott is a tremendous storyteller, adept in perfectly pacing the story to suit the story-line and its characters, and for the hours it took me to read this book, I was completely lost in its world. This is a story that celebrates the ‘underdogs’, the very people who are expected to lose all their battles in life, and it is not only a story that acknowledges their struggles, but also one that rewards them with the ending they always deserved. I felt compelled to love them, cheer for them, cry with them, and it is not a story I’ll easily forget. I recommend this book with all my heart to anyone seeking to feed theirs.

[Emma Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

FREE on KU
http://amzn.to/2pMgygR

[Just Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

****4 STARS****

Unfiltered review here... https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...

I was so not expecting what I just read. Wow! The feels are too real right now! I just don’t know what to do with myself. Seriously, I fell in love with the crazy world of Jo and Evan. There love was tangible. I could feel it from the pages to real life. Loved it!



I’m going to start with Jo, yeah? This girl broke my heart. Her story, her pain, her past, everything was just pain, pain and more pain. It was difficult to read at times. The poor girl’s heart had been broken so many time in her young life, I felt for her.

There was a rare and raw beauty to her. It was one of those situations where her imperfections were the most perfect things about her. She was a fighter, there was a quiet strength about her that was so profound. She couldn't see her strength but I could and so could Evan.

Then there’s Evan…

This sexy as hell, crazy as fuck, guy at her school. He was the outsider. He was the cast away. He was the kid everyone was afraid of yet loved to make fun of. Everyone except for Jo, that is.

Evan looked like he’d spill the deepest secrets of his heart to the first person to show him any kindness – Jo

Evan didn’t want much of anything from anyone. He just wanted family, love, and acceptance. Sounds like the rest of us, right? The sad thing is he never received that from anyone, ever. How shitty that must have been for him.

The way he loved Jo so inspiring. This book didn't need all that rich man falls in love with poor girl fluff. No, just the presence of the love was enough. There are only a handful of books that can do that. But hey, we are talking about Emma Scott so there's no surprise there.

Are seeing why this book is so touching? If not, keep going. Well, I hope you keep reading anyways because it gets better.



When Jo decided to step outside the box and not give a fuck about what anyone thought of her being friends with Evan, he didn’t know how to accept it.

“I’m fucking serious, Jo. Why are you here? Why are you hanging out with the town freak at a waterpark in the middle of the night? Tell me the truth, please. Please.” – Evan

Just like Emma Scott says in the synopsis, when a tragedy, beyond and tragedy tears them apart – my fucking broken heart… the feels… oh, I felt it all. I felt it just as if it was happening to me.

No matter what, Jo and Evan needed each other in more ways than one. I was so stressed out and on the edge of my seat and not knowing what to do with myself.



At the end of it all this is more than a love story. I don’t know how to describe it without giving anything away. This is a book that was written for each individual to find their own feelings about. There is a love story here but trust me when I say that there’s so much more. There’s pain, heartbreak, lust, laughter, tragedy, angst, healing, loving, and giving. It’s so beautiful. It’s mirrors real life.

Would I recommend this book? Everyday, all day! Yes!

[Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robin Hill is def divorcing me once she sees this review.

Look, I love Emma Scott and I think she's ridiculously gifted at crafting the most heartbreaking stories. And even though my default rating for all ES books is 5 stars, I am- to my dismay and shock, unable to do same with this book. And it's all bc of the second half, the plot twist to be specific.

As if Evan's- unexplained- jailbreak wasn't enough, that Jo just had to go back to Lee's flat (why???!!) when in actual fact any sane person would have hightailed it like the roadrunner, smacks of the dreaded deus ex machina.

Additionally, the main characters conformed to every other YA/NA book characters in booklandia. That is: unloved, damaged, tortured, orphans, outcasts.....etcetera.

Occasionally the story was riveting (particularly the paranormal aspect) sadly these were never fully developed or resolved. At a point, I was hoping Evan was from a different planet or a ghost or just anything that would support his paranormal abilities. The reality, however, was underwhelming.

[Maria✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

➦So I read either full on PNR or just plain old regular romance without any PNR elements. This was a hybrid. It read like a NA novel with some paranormal elements.

➦Evan, the hero here, has "dreams" which are kind of like premonitions. Except he can't really remember them up until the very moment something bad happens.


➦Evan has been locked up in the mental institution after having somewhat of a breakdown at school. So he's a school freak. A very hot school freak. Everyone avoids him.

➦The heroine moves around a lot because her guardian is a trucker and gets transferred all over the country. She starts the new year at a new school and she's immediately fascinated with the school freak.

➦They become friends after one night running into each other at the pool, where the hero practices holding his breath under water. Then their friendship develops into love but some shit goes down and the two get separated for 4 years... at which point the heroine finds herself in an abusive relationship with no way out. Evan to the rescue!

➦I loved the first half of the book. It sort of reminded me of a bit... where two troubled teens find comfort in each other. But then, of course, this book takes a completely different turn.

➦I had hard time accepting that I was actually reading a paranormal romance so my brain kept working overtime. I kept trying to come up with explanations for the "premonitions." I legit thought that Evan was an imaginary friend for about half the book. lol


➦The ending left me somewhat unsatisfied because I'm used to getting all the answers about how and why something happens. There were a lot of questions left and my poor brain is bummed out.

➦Just saying how it is. So yes, I enjoyed the book. It is engaging and I plowed through the audio version in a matter of two days. Some parts are touching, I might have shed a tear or two. Some parts are pretty steamy. The writing is beautiful and the story flows effortlessly.
An audiobook has been generously provided to me by Emma Scott in exchange for an honest review.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I drifted between awake and asleep.

Floating.

Not on air, but on water.

How to Save a Life is a heartbreakingly beautiful combination of many great works and tons of impressive déjà vu. It breaks my heart and tears me away from all the dreamy fantasies of life from the beginning throughout the book and eventually, slowly pieces it back in the end. This isn't a sweet, cheesy kind of love story; instead, it makes my heart bleed over and over again, tortures my feelings and assures me to experience all the pain that's beyond words. Yep, the book convinces me that reality is as cold and hard as a stone, and life cannot be more miserable, but love will always wins out.

Evan Salinger is an adopted teenager, who
➖has the same length and blond hair as Perry(Under the Never Sky)
➖is as considerate as Evan Walker(The 5th Wave)
➖possesses a supernatural ability similar to Noah Shaw(The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer)
➖is labeled as "freakshow" in high school and has a thing for water, just like Theodore Finch(All the Bright Places)
➖also led a life like a modern Heathcliff(Wuthering Heights).

“Something like that. It helps to hold my breath for a long time if I’m kind of…detached from my body. If I were sitting under there, counting the seconds, I don’t think I’d get very far.” He waved his hands, making little ripples in the water.

"Jo" Josephine Clark is a seemingly ordinary teeanage girl who was raped and has the post-traumatic reactions ever since. She later experiences an abusive relationship with some guy named Lee, who's a drug dealer, cooking meth at home, forcing her to become his personal punchbag, and inflicts severe damage on her to his heart's content.

So when Evan meets Jo, the story goes high and low all at once.
✔️Sparks fly.
✔️Love sprouts.
✔️Chemistry brews.
✔️Attachment grows stronger.
✔️Life gets complicated and heart-wrenching.

”Is this really how you want to spend your Wednesday night?” he asked. He shook his head, silently answering his own question. “You should go. If someone sees you here, you’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Like I give a shit what people think of me.” Evan looked me up and down, his gaze coming to rest on my long hair that covered my scar like a shield.

I personally think their love is bitter at first and as things happen, it turns out to be the sweetest, the most precious, and worthy of cherishing kind. Jo finds her long-lost confidence, beauty, and the ability to love as well as being loved from Evan; he finds trust, faith, and a sense of belonging in her. They admire each other for who they truly are, regardless of labels and scars.

She's his everything.

She's the only one who doesn't view him as a crazy kid suffering from mental illness like others said. The only one who's brave enough to stand up for him, defending him.

And he's her beacon of hope. Of love. Of life. His loyalty and promise to her never waver, let alone giving up on her.

He makes her feel whole and perfectly complete again.

The end of this book brings tears to my eyes because for a tiny moment, I literally believed what's done is done and that's it. As if adding another heartbreaking fact to the reality and the story. However, with a single thread of belief in Jo's mind, Emma Scott makes it an extraordinarily flawless ending. The last scene is so memorably beautiful and this is exactly the kind of ending I'm looking and hoping for in most stories.

In that twilight place just before sleep, I imagined dream walkers in the skies above me, catching my words in their nets and walking them to Evan to guide him home.

Finally, since the author's soundtrack for the book leaves me nothing to complain, there's only one song I want to add to it. It's This Isn't The End by Owl City, which is also a song he's proud of most.
"How close is the ending, well, nobody knows
The future's a mystery and anything goes
Love is confusing and life is hard
You fight to survive 'cause you made it this far

It's all too astounding to comprehend
It's just the beginning this isn't the end
It's just the beginning this isn't the end"

**Recent update 3/5/2016**
Lately, I found another new song that I think the lyrics and the music atmosphere fits this book so much and can't wait to share it with you. Alan Walker-Faded
"You were the shadow to my light
Did you feel us
Another Start
You fade away
Afraid our aim is out of sight
Wanna see us
Alight

Where are you now
Where are you now
Where are you now
Was it all in my fantasy
Where are you now
Were you only imaginary

Where are you now
Atlantis
Under the sea
Under the sea
Where are you now
Another dream
The monsters running wild inside of me
I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost,
I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost,
I'm faded"

Please bear in mind either in real life or when reading this book: Behind every dark cloud, there's always a silver lining.

[warhawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Light Paranormal
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




Josephine (Jo) Clark was the new girl in school. Living a nomadic life, she never set root to connect with anyone. That was until she came across a boy with a past that was dark as hers.

Evan Salinger was the outcast. He endured hardship since he was just a little kid and preferred to keep to himself. But fate had a different plan and set a path that included Jo in his life. Together they must find a way to survive and believe what had been set forth.



I wanted to read this book since the release but kept putting it back due to the paranormal element. My worry turned out to be unfounded because the paranormal element is very light and it worked well with the storyline.

“They say all who wander are not lost. But some of us are. We’re really fucking lost, wandering until our feet bleed, and it feels like we’ll never find our way home again.”

Evan's story totally captured my heart. From his sad past, to his painful present, it seemed like he just couldn't get a break.

I wished with everything I had, I could take away her pain—all of it, from the scar up to that moment—and keep it so she’d never have to suffer it again.

Jo's past was a heartbreaking one. She vowed to take control of the situation to never be a victim again even if it hurt her a different way. Considering her situation, she’s willing put faith in Evan.

I dreamed it but can only remember little pieces. It doesn’t come back to me until we’re in the moment.

I love how different the story is with the dream element that drove their actions and it became the thing that strengthened their bond. My main attraction to the characters is their situation. I have soft spot of the wronged. However, there are a few things about them that I wondered about but remained unanswered.



How To Save A Life follows the journey of a couple through heartbreaks in a quest to find happiness they both deserve. It would appeal to readers looking for a unique romance that brings out myriad of emotions.


For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Megan✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Words cannot express how much I loved “How To Save A Life” by Emma Scott. It was everything I was looking for and more. I’m a bit behind the times when it comes to Emma Scott apparently. All I’ve been hearing are how amazing her books are and this is my first one; what a cracker to start with. She is such a beautiful story teller, which can at times be emotional and make you feel so much from the very first page.

I became completely captivated by the hero and heroines story, their emotions were depicted so realistically, from their harrowing memories and back stories, to their powerful magnetism towards each other. The story touches on some real heartbreaking themes, sexual abuse, physical violence, bullying and feeling unloved.

The heroine depicted was Josephine (Jo) and she was such a fascinating and intriguing character. She has had to overcome the most disturbing situations at the hands of a monster. A family member, who should have loved and protected her, did not. The outcome of these actions ultimately had tragic consequences.

"I don’t know how or why I could possibly know this at first glance, but to me Evan looked like he’d spill the deepest secrets of his heart to the first person to show him any kindness.

He’s sort of beautiful, I thought."

Jo has moved to a new town with her truck driving uncle. He travels a lot for work so she is left to her own devises most of the time. She is the true epitome of a survivor. Jo never allows herself to woe in self-pity or become the victim. She has created her own identity and is living her life on her terms and is such a strong and inspirational character.

"Evan Salinger had infiltrated my brain. I was trying to keep him out and he kept seeping in."


On Jo’s first day at her new high school she hears a lot of gossip and rumours about someone named Evan. He is not at all like she expected him to be. She expected an emo looking guy, but he was so beautifully captivating. He is the freak and loner of the school and portrayed by everyone as a “mental case”. Despite all the idle gossip about Evan, Jo felt unbelievably drawn towards him and he occupied all of her thoughts. The more Jo gets to know Evan, the more she falls in love with him.



I was so invested in this story that I wanted to do anything to protect Evan. He absolutely stole my heart and I was so captivated by his characterization. He made me feel emotions I haven’t felt while reading a book for a long time. Everything from his noble and thoughtful heart, to his struggles and the life he has been forced to live. Evan is unquestionably the most beautiful, captivating and alluring character and his relationship with Jo had me so enthralled from page to page. Their love for each other had me convinced they were soul mates. They had such a deep understanding and profound connection towards each other that it gave me goose bumps.

“Moment by moment, inhale by exhale, every heartbeat of hers against mine erased our separation. The lust consuming me all night revealed for what it truly was: my need to be with Josephine for the rest of my life. Not only her body but everything that she was: her scribbled words, her lonely heart and her victorious happiness.”



I could not recommend this book highly enough. It was really unique and I can honestly say it was a breath of fresh air. Just be prepared for some heartbreaking and emotional parts where Emma Scott touches on sexual abuse and violence, but by no means is it graphic. For those who don’t like paranormal stories, don’t let the hint put you off because I wouldn’t even categorise this as paranormal. Both main characters are in fact human but there are premonitions of events which suggest paranormal.

This book in my opinion had it all, friendship, love, excitement, angst, heartbreak, intensity and passion. Just be prepared to feel all the emotions under the sun!

[Patrycja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: How To Save A Life
Series: Standalone
Author: Emma Scott
Release Date: 9 February, 2016
Rating: 4.5 stars
Cliffhanger:. No
HEA: Yes






How To Save A Life completely bewitched me. What a heart breaking,stunning, beautiful and unique story. I am still overwhelmed by all of the emotions it caused inside me. This story is simply unforgettable!

Josephine ‘Jo’ Clark has been through a lot. Her life was neither sweet nor full of unicorns and rainbows. It was lonely, depressing and full of hurt. She lost her parents as well as a big piece of herself. Now only poetry can soothe her soul.

Evan Salinger is a boy that carries a stigma of a ‘town freak’, a loner. Everyone believes he’s a mental case and kids at school make sure he knows it. His life is no easy…

Evan and Jo meet at school and are drawn to each other and…

“We exchanged looks, a commiseration; the girl with a scar and the boy with the freaky rep, and something shifted between us. An unspoken understanding that drew me closer to him without having moved an inch.”



Please, let me stop here! It’s better to go into this story blind and find all the answers by yourself. I don’t want to spoil this book.

How To Save A Life is a love story like no other I’ve read before. It’s unique, captivating and epic! This is a very emotional ride through the darkest of places a person can wander to in order to find at least one ray of sunshine and just a bit of hope. And yes it shows that hope and love can be found in the weirdest places…

“You believed me. Or maybe you didn’t, but you accepted me. And that had never happened to me before.”




Emma Scott is very talented author and I am dying to read more of her work; her style of writing is just precious – the words she’s put on the paper moved me. Her storytelling is vivid, intense and the words seem to flow… it is all very poetic and powerful. Her words broke my heart many times and then glued it together.

"Do you ever… Do you think about us?
What we had?"
"Every minute…
I think about us every minute of my life."

This story was absolutely brilliant – from the falling in love to absolutely shocking, astounding climax and conclusion. I was absorbed in it till the end.



FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:

[Jenny••Steamy Reads Blog•• · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you can find an author that completely captivates you with every book you've read by her, or him, I think you definitely have a go to, top favorite, auto buy author. I am in love with Emma Scott's writing. In love with her books. That's it. It's simple. Read her books, I dare you :-))


This book is about a love like no other. It's special, in so many ways. Honestly the curveballs that were constantly thrown at this couple.... ughhhh my heart kept breaking for these individuals. The beginning stole my attention, the circumstances kept surprising me, at other times pissed me off. The passion and love between these two, off the charts. And lord, the ending, absolutely perfect❤️❤️




My Jo:::

My Evan:::

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ - I'll always come back to you. Stars!

ITs LIVE!
Amazon US - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019...
Amazon UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...

I didn’t think that Emma Scott could go any higher in my estimations to be honest with you, but How to Save a Life absolutely broke me (in a good way). This is a book where you go through every emotion and sometimes to the extreme.



This is one of those books where you cannot say a huge amount about the story-line for fear of giving stuff away. But, I basically spent the first half nervously waiting for the expected to happen just not quite knowing what form the expected was actually going to take, that would then be the catalyst to set the wheels in motion for the second part of the story. I then spent the second half alternating between holding my breath and crying uncontrollably, whilst waiting for the inevitable but again unknown resolution to make itself apparent.

"Do you ever… Do you think about us?
What we had?"
"Every minute…
I think about us every minute of my life."

You have a sense that all is not as it seems, but WOW the author just came right out of left field with the whole set-up, development and then conclusion of Jo and Evan’s story.



There is a lot that goes into building a book with the level of depth that How to Save a Life has, and anyone who knows me or my reviews, will have an inclination as to how much of a fan (not) I am of erroneous or overplayed drama and angst. Emma seemed to hit the perfect levels of this for me, because although there are a lot of downs to this story, and some of them heart-breaking in their telling, the ups; even on the smallest scale just seemed to balance everything out perfectly.

Two ghosts who thought they were too broken to be of worth to anybody, now reborn.

Evan and Jo’s story isn’t pretty, but it is beautifully written, this is a couple who initially meet whilst at school, in the middle of nowhere America. Both different from the perceived norm, and as such treated less than respectfully by their peers. Both of them are also living with things that happened in their pasts, that very much have a hand in shaping the people they are becoming. However, one unforeseen and completely freak accident separates them just as they are starting to accept themselves and each other for who they are. The intervening four years of separation before they are finally reunited are not kind.

My thoughts put down roots, reached stems and leaves out and up. The patch of dry dirt in my soul, dead and barren for years, now a garden.

Jo and Evan are people you just want to hold, and hold tight, for their past experiences, the issues they are working through in their present, and the inevitable fall out from everything that happens in-between. I don’t think I have been this emotionally invested in two characters since the last book I read by this author.

All who wander are not lost.

I’m not generally a gushy reviewer, but this is a book I will make an exception for, I really cannot recommend it highly enough. Emma Scott has delivered again, and delivered it in her own unique and unforgettable style!

ARC generously provided by the author, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.

[Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 'breathtaking' Stars!

Where do I begin? This book so far is the hardest book I had to rate this year. I took a small break to gather my thoughts because trust me when I tell you this book is confusing as hell. While reading this, I truly believed that it might have some paranormal because with the stuff that was going on. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I seriously did not know how Emma Scott was going to end this book.

Josephine (Jo) Clark Is once again the new student. She has scars, inside and out. She suffered greatly since a young age and all she ever want to do in life is settle down. Live a quite life. Jo keeps to herself. She doesn't get attached to anyone. She doesn't believe in love and the stuff that comes with it.

What did I know about love? Jack and shit, that’s what. What little I’d known had been ripped away, leaving only a gray haze of distant memories that were growing fainter by the day.



On her first day of school she meets Evan. Evan is the town freak. The kid who allegedly went to a psych institution. The one who "caused" people to die. Jo is curious. She of all people knows not to believe in labels. Being labeled her whole life taught her that.

Evan Salinger had infiltrated my brain. I was trying to keep him out and he kept seeping in.



Slowly they become friends, then they so much more. The town freak and the slut. Evan is shocked that anyone, especially Jo would even look at him. But for the first time in his life someone actually cared about him. And for Jo, she feels beautiful for the first time in her life. No one has ever made her feel the way Evan does. They were each others saving grace.



But for people like Evan and Jo happiness is only short lived. Something happened that tore them apart after just a few weeks of being the happiest they've ever been. It wasn't perfect, but it was theirs.



This book was so unique. I've never read anything like this before, and I love that. It's also my first time reading something by Emma Scott. Her writing is so beautiful and will keep you on edge through the whole ride. In the book there's 3 parts. The first part was when they were young, and the second is when they get older, and the third is their conclusion. Out of all three, the second was the hardest to read. It was heart-wrenching, nail-bitting, and eye-tearingly(don't think its a word) beautiful.

“Evan?” Jo’s voice frail in the dark.
“Do you ever…” I heard her swallow hard. “Do you think about us? What we had?”

My chest ached at the longing in her voice. The fearful tentative reaching across the space between us.

“Every minute,” I said. “I think about us every minute of my life. All I do is think about”



I really didn't see this book turning out this way. I wouldn't say I went into this book blind, I knew the majority of what it's about I just didn't know the details. I'm glad I did that though cause it made the book so much better. This book is about acceptance, love, living, and second chances. I really enjoyed the book but the only reason that it didn't receive 5 stars is because I felt that there was some questions that were left unanswered. I was somewhat confused about Evans "dreams". I also really wanted to know some of his background history. But other than that, I totally recommend.



I’ll be Jo for Evan, I decided. I’ll always be his Jo.

[Lo Bookfrantic · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW this book just blew me away, I absolutely loved everything about it. I cried like a baby, I laughed, I was full of nerves and the ride was a total trip!! Definitely adding to one to my all time favorites that's how much I loved it.





So I suggested this title to my library and they listen it appeared on my library OverDrive say what??! Hell Yes!! Being wanting to read this baby for a while now...






***** BLURB *****
Josephine Clark is trapped. A harrowing past haunts her every time she looks in the mirror, and she can’t escape the violence of her everyday life. More and more, her thoughts turn to Evan Salinger, the boy she knew in high school. The boy they called a mental case. A loner. A freak. The boy who seemed to know things no one could know. For a few short weeks, Jo had found perfect solace in Evan’s company, sneaking every night to meet him at the local pool. In the cool of the water and the warmth of Evan’s arms around her, Jo had tasted something close to happiness.

Cruel circumstances tore them apart, and four years later, the sweet memory of their time together is dissolving under the punishing reality of Jo’s life now. Evan seems like a fading dream…until he reappears at the moment she needs him most. Guided by Evan’s strange intuition, they flee her small Louisiana town, and Jo begins to suspect there is something more to his sudden return than he admits.

Over twelve days across America’s heartland, deep secrets come to light, buried pasts are unearthed, and the line between dreams and reality is blurred as Evan and Jo fight to hold on to their soul-deep love, and discover that there is more than one way to save a life.

***

How to Save a Life is a complete second-chance STANDALONE novel with shades of the paranormal. It carries the characters from high school through to their early twenties. It is not YA; mature subject matter, and sexual situations. TRIGGER WARNING: domestic violence (on the page) and mention of sexual abuse (off the page) For readers 18 years and up.

[NMmomof4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Overall Opinion: It's not a secret that I'm not a huge fan of pnr books, so that was a big reason that I had put this book off. After reading Full Tilt and loving it, I thought that I had to give this a shot (and my GR friend's raving reviews didn't hurt either). The pnr aspect was present, but it wasn't so present that it took over the story -- which I appreciated. I didn't love it, but I still liked it. There were a few things that I felt were either left out completely or were never addressed enough (for example: *BIG SPOILER*How'd he break out of prison? What happened after the river? Did he ever reach out to Garrett? When and how did Jo enter that contest?) that had me feeling unsatisfied at the end. It also felt like a lot of those things that occurred seemed way too convenient to be believable. I enjoyed the story being so different, and the H was about as perfect of a man he could be in my eyes...but I guess I just wasn't wowed.

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Jo and Evan's story. Jo is the new girl in town at the end of her senior year. She soon learns that Evan is considered the town freak, and is instantly curious about him. The meet one night at the local pool, and connect right away. Through night swims and lots of talks, they fall in love. They are tragically separated for ~4 years. When they are reunited, Jo's situation is pretty dire and Evan steps up to help her out. They end up traveling across the country in search of finding their happiness...and we get a HFN ending.

POV: This alternated between Jo and Evan's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed, and I thought it flowed well.

Instalove: Maybe. They had an instant strong connection...but it wasn't the type of instalove that ticks me off.

H rating: 5 stars. Evan. He was pretty perfect. I don't have any complaints about him. I felt really bad for the situations he found himself in though.

h rating: 4 stars. Jo. I liked her. I appreciated her strength through the bad cards she was dealt, but I also wanted to her to make some better choices at times.

Sadness level: Low/moderate. There are some heavy themes, but I never cried. I know a lot of people said they cried a lot during this, so it might be my cold heart ;)

Push/Pull: Not really, both of them are all in pretty much right away.

Heat level: Moderate. They have some good chemistry and scenes.

Descriptive sex: Yes

Safe sex: Yes The h mentioned birth control and her std status (H was a virgin). I don't remember any mention of h's previous practices

OW/OM drama: Yes The h's hook-up causes some drama in their school. The h is with an abusive partner when they reunite that causes a lot of drama for them.

Sex scene with OW or OM: No Closest is the h heavily making out with another boy before she gets with the H (and fade-to-black type of situation for her giving him oral)

Cheating: No

Separation: Yes They are separated for ~4 years. The h had another partner during this time. The H remained a virgin.

Possible Triggers: Yes The h was sexually assaulted as a child by an uncle, suicide of a parent, violence/fighting, child abandonment (H), mental illness, domestic violence, murder, and the H was a virgin.

Closure: This had good closure with a HFN ending. I would've liked a little bit farther glimpse into the future to be honest.

How I got it: It was part of my kindle unlimited subscription.

Safety: This should be Safe for my safety gals.

- Does Not have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
- Does Not have the H or h pushing away
- Does have a ~4 year separation between the h and H
- Does have abuse
- Does Not have OTT sad parts
- Does Not have a HEA ending

[Kelli C · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 to 3 Stars.

Unpopular opinion alert!!! This is a complete case of "it's me not you." This has two young characters whose lives are tragic. They are beautifully broken yet see something MORE in one another. It is sadness and hope...fear and courage...young love personified. I just could not connect.

I typically LOVE this type of story. I am a huge sucker for the outsiders winning, but I spent most of the book trying so hard to feel something for Jo and Evan but unfortunately I didn't. At one point I was convinced that Evan and his strange underwater habits, dreams, and journey to the center clearly meant he was an Alien! Yea, I know dumb thinking but oh well...he wasn't an alien and it was actually the last 15% that I loved the most!

Many will love this book and I think it has great writing. I just didn't connect with the characters and their stories.

[Annie Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thing's first...Let's take a moment to admire that cover. I mean, wow. Not only is it beautiful, but it fits the story perfectly. So perfectly. Gah, I have chills just looking at it. Second thing, the title. Am I the only one who thinks of the song when looking at it? I kid you not, every time I glance at the title, the song pops into my head and I start singing it out loud. Every. Single. Time. It's always been my favorite song by The Fray!! And again, the title fits the story, perfectly. Just love it.
So the title and the cover, we've established, are two of many reasons to read this book. Now add the blurb and you've got the makings of an epic love story. And since I've read it, I can say it's actually epic. In my personal opinion, that is.

So when I first saw this lovely cover show up on my kindle to preorder one day, I preordered it instantly. I just knew, knew it was going to be something special. I'd been needing a book to get me out of my loooooooong funk and this one did it. It really pulled me out of that pit I was stuck in for far too long for my liking. So I was eagerly anticipating the release for weeks. Meanwhile, still in my funk.

Moving on...as soon as midnight rolled around, I started reading it. Of course I didn't get too far since it was a work week and I desperately needed sleep. But I had to force myself to put down my kindle and shut my eyes. This book took me 3 days to read, only because I was prolonging the end. Once I got back to it, I was hooked and couldn't stop. I took this book everywhere with me, read it every chance I got. It was just so good.

Jo and Evan are both so broken, their pasts are keeping them prisoner, but when they get to know each other, I can feel the spark, the electricity between them. Evan's brothers are complete assholes and I wanted to strangle them both. Everyone at school treats him like a disease and stay far away from him and yet they still torture him every chance they get. The whole school. It was sickening to watch. Until Jo decides to treat him like everyone else. She's so kind and has a really amazing spirit, at least around him, despite what she's been through. Evan brings out a different side of her. Once they meet that one night...everything changes for them.

“I didn’t save you. You weren’t drowning.”
True. But you didn’t know that."

That scene broke my heart and every other time at the pool. Evan was drowning in his grief; his past pulled him under until he couldn't breathe...but with Jo, she pulled him up. She showed him there was a reason to live and that he could get a happy ending in spite of his ugly past. And at the same time, he helped her heal and let go of her own demons. Slowly. Their relationship developed beautifully, to the point I was anticipating their first kiss. Also as much as Jo was. When that time came, it did not disappoint. My heart pounded and my chest fluttered, as if I was there watching it.

But then there were forces and people who wanted to keep them apart. To see them suffer more than they already had, because they were evil bastards. I had saw some things coming a mile away and then I was clutching my heart in pain, like I was in pain. I was in pain...for them. I felt every single emotion they felt the whole time. It was brutal and it was unfair. My hope at one point dwindled and I wondered if they were gonna get their HEA in the end. I almost cheated and read the end...but I didn't. I stopped myself from thinking of it.

I don't want to spoil anything because the blurb is enough to keep you intrigued and once you start you simply cannot stop. I only did because I got so emotional about 65% of the way through and wanted to savor the last bit I had with these two incredible characters. They'd become so real to me that their pain was unbearable, but their moments of happiness were bliss. And once I finished, I was an emotional mess from the events that occurred. A mixture of so many I couldn't distinguish what I was feeling. One thing that was more prominent than the others was bittersweet. I didn't want to let them go. I wasn't ready to finish their story because then I was done and I couldn't accept that. I was so glad Evan and Jo got me out of my funk. I still miss them. Sure I can reread, but it'll never be the same as experiencing it for the first time again.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. (Says a wise friend)

Emma Scott was a new-to-me author but that certainly has changed, considering I just read another one of her books in a day. I'll be reading anything and everything she writes in the future because I know I won't be disappointed. I'm so happy I read and experienced this story, this journey. I hope you all do too. And if you don't...hey, to each their own. That's the beauty of reading, we all have our preferences. I know what works for me won't always work for another reader and that's okay. However, I feel most of my book friends will love this story too. Happy reading!!

Favorite Quotes:

“They say all who wander are not lost. But some of us are. We’re really fucking lost, wandering until our feet bleed, and it feels like we’ll never find our way home again.”

“You believed me. Or maybe you didn’t, but you accepted me. And that had never happened to me before.”

“It doesn’t happen to guys like me, either. Believe me. No one touches me.”

“I love you. I’ll love your forever and I’ll never stop.”

“I’m here…I’m home. Waiting for you. Come back to me.”






Not even a day has passed and I miss Jo and Evan so bad. I hate that we can't go back in time, so I can read this book for the first time.

*still trying to gather thoughts for review*

Before I can even attempt to write a review for this book, I need to gather my thoughts and let my emotions settle. Otherwise I'll sound like a complete mental case. Plus I can't see through my tears very well.
*review to come*

[TJ *Book Twins Reviews* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew! I can always count on Emma to get me in my feelings. She's such a brilliant artist and never fails to pull me, rip my heart to shreds, dance on the pieces, then stitch them back together. How To Save a Life was no different.

I'm not gonna lie to you, folks....this one was tough. There are some very strong situations that will make some uncomfortable. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. After reading it, I don't expect it to be everyone's cup of tea. With that said, different parts of the book are better than others but I enjoyed it overall.

If you're a fan of YA and understand the crossover nature of the NA genre, this book will resonate with you. Here's the breakdown: Josephine's life has been pretty shitty since age 13. Sorry guys, no way to sugarcoat it. I won't give spoilers, but you've been warned. She's in her senior year of high school and just moved to a new school a few months before graduation. She meets Evan and is immediately intrigued by the rumors circulating about him. He feels like a kindred spirit; One damaged soul calling to another. He's had a pretty shitty life too. They eventually come together and begin to trust again. Unfortunately things don't work out quite as expected and they have to face a few more traumatic situations before they can finally be together. The path to true healing is difficult, unexpected, but had my completely intrigued.

Long story short, this story is not for the faint of heart. This is not your typical cutesy high school love affair. I mentioned the genres earlier in the hopes that readers understand the themes prevalent in the YA genre. This book combines several of those themes. It nearly got the best of me in places, but I trust the author, so I persevered. I knew the story would come together and have an impact. I'm so glad I was right. I felt the entire range of emotions while listening to this book. It's intriguing, captivating, frustrating, difficult, and utterly engaging. The difficult subject matter, tragic occurrences, and difficult paths lead to a place of Love, Trust, and Pure Selflessness. It's sheer beauty.

Here's what I absolutely loved:
These beautifully flawed characters who have experienced so much trauma in their young lives, but they persevere. Characters like Jo and Evan teach the reader what life is all about. I was blown away by them.

I loved the supernatural element of the story. That was actually one of the most breath-taking factors for me. It was so beautiful how much Jo means to Evan. The fact that she calls to him on an elemental level blew my mind. I loved it!

The ending and how everything these two lived through finally got them to their end goal. It wasn't always pretty, but neither is real life. That's the beauty of perseverance.

So, to sum up - I really enjoyed this heart-breaking tale of love, loss, and finding true happiness. I recommend it to other who enjoy heart-wrenching tales that may take the reader outside of their comfort zone.

Audiobook Review: I highly recommend the audio version. Ramona Master is fantastic. I'd recommend this and future works performed by this narrator.

Copy received via Audiobook Boom for review.

I rate it 4 Once Forgotten, But Now Remembered Stars

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! What a refreshing change to love both characters so hard all the way through with no annoying pushing away, andno unnecessary drama between them. There was enough angst and drama outside of the relationship so I was thrilled Scott kept this out, given what they endured separately growing up. My heart broke for them both, no child should have to experience and suffer they way they did.

I really liked the supernatural/paranormal hint that ran through this one, it kept me intrigued all the way through. I wouldn't call this a second chance because even though they were separated this was beyond their control and he never wavered in his love in her. Not once.

I've read a few of Scott's books and have loved every single one. I'm now a total stalker fan and am so glad I still have books of hers to read. She's an amazing storyteller that sucks me in from word one, grabs me by the guts and does not let go till after the book is done and then I'm still thinking about it days later. THAT right there makes a 5 star read for me.

[Hulya Kara Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Moment by moment, inhale by exhale, every heartbeat of hers against mine erased our separation. The lust consuming me all night revealed for what it truly was: my need to be with Josephine for the rest of my life. Not only her body but everything that she was: her scribbled words, her lonely heart and her victorious happiness.”

Ahhhh this book was just sooooo amazing. I LOVED it so much. 😍




Ps.
Ms.Scott, seriously I'm in love with your words. Thank you very much for this story. ❤

[Hanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I loved this book, but I loved the other books I’ve read by Emma Scott more. The author again delivered an emotional, beautiful and unique love story. The characters were incredible. There were lots of twists and turns that kept me reading and that I never expected to happen. I was hooked from start to finish. The paranormal aspect was very mild and I loved it. I also loved the epilogue.

[M Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Save a Life
Emma Scott
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

And yet again, Emma Scott. Where do I even begin? That fact that it was awesome or the fact that it was FREAKING AWESOME?! lol Kidding aside...
Emma Scott delivered a story of braving the unknown and choosing to follow where your heart tells you.
Josephine Clark goes where his guardian takes her, skipping from one place to another. In the story they were in Planerville for a short period of time for his guardian to crash and move on again up until she'll graduate from high school.
Jo had a dark past, his uncle sexually abused her at a young age, and she couldn't tell anyone.

“He called me his pretty girl. Who’s my pretty girl? I wanted to puke when I heard it. It meant that later that night he’d come…”

When Jo only a little girl have had enough she cut herself on the face leaving a scar that forever she'll carry. When her mom found out what her uncle did to Jo she took her own life.

Evan Salinger is not like the other kids, he maybe beautiful as Jo had thought but he was special. He was able to see an image nobody had imagined, a carnage that rocked the whole town. Nobody believed him, not until Jo showed up.

They had plans to run away together after high school, but an unfortunate accident happened. Evan went to prison, and Jo was left all alone.

It took years for Evan and Jo to finally meet again, but Jo is in a difficult situation. She needed an escape, an out but she stayed hoping that Evan can come get her.

They were both on the run, Evan was a escaped con and Jo was a suspect for murder. but all they wanted was to be together.
Their jouney for freedom and love was hard, it was like a puzzle being fit together. Evan asked Jo to trust him and at the end of it all Jo will be safe and Evan will be free. It was all about taking chances.

“And no, I can’t see the whole thing but I can feel how it’s real and important. Life or death. You will be safe and I will be free. And I’m asking you to believe in me again and come with me.”

There'll be an HEA waiting at the end ;)

[Jeannine Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (Re-Read 6/15/17)

5 stars (First Read 2/14/16)

WHY? Why have I never heard of Emma Scott before... WHY?



I am blown away by this author, and this novel. It pulled me in from the very beginning...

I didn't have a story. Just a question. And then what? - Jo

I kinda love reading about messed up women who need to be saved...
I know we're in the twenty-first century and I'm supposed to be all about feminism and strong women or whatever, but I like me a waif-like woman sometimes.



Sorry, not sorry...

Anyways... I particularly loved this one because they BOTH were the saver and the savee. Two abandoned, confused, and lonely people who are lucky enough to find each other.

"Let's do something really fucking crazy and trust each other." - Evan

This was such a unique story, and I loved the little touch of paranormal in it. It gave it a sort of magical quality, rather than something that was just so obviously "fiction". I'm one of those people who doesn't not believe in things like that, if that makes sense. I never rule things out just because I haven't experienced them and so I really enjoyed that twist in this story. And it just made Jo and Evan's connection so much deeper.



They fell in love quickly, but it didn't feel rushed or forced. And then they came together again slowly, which I was thrilled about because I strongly dislike quick reunions. Everything was paced so well and I was so incredibly pleased with my first Emma Scott novel.



I've already begun another one by her, and I sincerely doubt it'll be my last. I will most likely go on a spree :)

[Maditales · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well I did not think I would give this book this rating but smut between 17yo is an immediate low rating for me.

Honestly I loved the entire story idea but that just ruined that book for me and now I am disappointed because this could have been a solid 3 stars.

[Natasha is a Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review posted at: http://natashaisabookjunkie.com/2016/...

[4.5 STARS]

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautifully written stories I have ever read. The characters were unique and amazing. The story was heartbreaking and an epic romance all in one. I had to put this one down a couple times because of how many emotions I felt while reading. These characters went through so much and the writing was so vivid I felt like I was experiencing it right along with them. I loved this book and it's the kind of story that will stay with me forever.