A Song for Julia Review

A Song for Julia (Thompson Sisters) by Charles Sheehan-Miles
★★★★★
Release Date: December 5, 2012
Age: Mature New Adult/ Adult, 17+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Suspense, Love, Family
Format: ebook
Source: AToMR Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Everyone should have something to rebel against.
Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.
Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy.

When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.

I don't really feel like any review I give this book will do its depths and deep story any justice. It's a book you must read for yourself, feel for yourself, and come to terms with yourself. Things unfold perfectly in this traumatic and unforgettable tale. The author does a remarkable and beautiful job unveiling the darkest of secrets and pasts, slowly and hooking the reader in until the very end. Filled with complex characters and so much more, it's a book that should not be missed.

In the beginning Crank's name bothered me, then I found out his birth name and I was all, hello Crank. From their first meeting Julia mesmerizes 'one-night-stand' Crank, their crazy relationship builds and the secrets she harbors are let loose. He becomes attached to her, but she makes it very clear that she can't commit to anything. Crank's brother Sean is one of those characters I will never forget. His entire family really. Julia's family I'm still on the fence about, I don't hate them (her parents really) as much as I originally did, but I still don't like them. A lot, and I mean a lot, happens between not only Crank and Julia but every character in this book; it's hard to put the book down amidst so much being revealed and discovered. It really is an incredible read that will have any reader frustrated and anxious to get all the facts out on the table.

The raw emotion that drips from Charles' words is intense and frightening. To feel that much pain and hurt from the pages of a book is hard to forget. But, there's also some very beautiful moments and I love Crank and his crazy self. This book made me stand back and breathe between parts. One word to describe this book would be shocking. A Song for Julia is not an easy read, not a light read, and not a fast read; but it is an incredible read that will be forever imprinted in me. A huge part of this book is music, and I LOVE music, center a love story around anything lyrical and I'm sold.

I was expecting a good read but I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did, definitely a favorite and I can't wait to go back and revisit these characters. The synopsis is one of those that barely touches on the story, when you're reading it for yourself so much more comes to light. Way to go Charles Sheehan-Miles, I am now a stalker and follower and plan to check out more of your work! I will next be checking out Just Remember to Breathe, a book about Julia's sister Alex!