Review: The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
★★★☆☆
Release Date: 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Age: YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Tragedy, Love, Coming of Age, High School
Format: ebook
Source: Library
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.
No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.
But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

This is a good book, with great writing, that is mysterious enough to make you want to read to the last page and it had everything I needed in a story right now, because my one year old keeps me more entertained than a lot of the books I've sat down to read. But, this one kept me hooked because I had to know how it ended!

The Beginning of Everything is a good coming of age story about a boy who loses everything he thought he was made of only to gain perspective and become more of who he really is. It's funny, yet not mindless, and filled with witty quotes and kids who talk like adults. It's a YA novel that adults can appreciate as well and I found Robyn Schneider's writing style similar to John Green's. It takes place mostly over the beginning of Ezra's (OMG I love that name, Vampire Weekend anybody?) senior year when he becomes reunited with his past and realizes things are different from the outside. The reflective nature of this book is something I always love, characters who change and grow. Cassidy brings a puzzling nature to the story as the reader and Ezra try to figure her out. She's straight forward when it comes to speaking her mind but not her heart. Toby was by far my favorite character. He's Ezra's best childhood friend and they rekindle their friendship as if they've never parted. I think we all have friends like Toby and can relate to their relationship.

I will say, and nothing to do with the writing, but after reading the story I'm just not crazy about the title or cover of this book. I love them, but not for this story. Severed Heads, Broken Hearts is the UK title and I love that so much more for this story.

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Blog Tour: In the Fields Review and Giveaway

In the Fields by Willow Aster
★★★★☆
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Age: Mature 18+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Race, Abuse, Southern Romance, Teen, Coming of Age
Format: ebook
Source: The Indie Bookshelf
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords | Createspace

1971 — In the tiny, backward town of Tulma, Tennessee, optimistic, bookish Caroline Carson unwittingly finds herself in the middle of a forbidden romance. Severely neglected by her family and forced to flee Tulma to protect her secrets, Caroline’s young life comes crashing down around her. She finds refuge in a new town, but the past always has a way of stretching around time and stirring up trouble.

When a new love comes into her life, she has to decide if she can give her heart to someone else, or if she will always be tied to someone she can’t have.

The details described in this book may not be suitable for readers below the age of 18 as descriptions of rape, alcoholism, child neglect, and abuse are depicted.

In the Fields is an inspirational love story about a young couple that tests every limit of its' small town. It features two teenagers who were meant to be together, but are divided by the color of their skin. So much of this story is real and holds immense power. Set in the 1970s in a racist Tennessee town until Caroline leaves the past behind. From beginning to end this book is filled with heart wrenching events.

A lot of this story I think should stay a secret. I don't want to give anything away, but I do want to tell you how much this love story meant to me. It's also a coming of age that will touch anyone who reads it. It's so different in every way from anything I've read lately and it has left a lasting impression. Race has never been an issue in my family. My grandparents are both from Cuba but my grandfather is white and my grandmother is black. We've never seen color in my family, but I know that even now, others do. To read such an emotionally charged and disaster filled story about what some places used to be like was an eye opener and it made me feel so bad for everyone who has ever been denied or judged based on something they can't control.

Caroline is young and has already been put through so much in her everyday life. Her parents are awful and while one of has redeeming qualities by the end, it was still a rough upbringing. Her one light and best friend, Isaiah, is there for her through a lot. Through the worst of nightmares Caroline finds the strength and courage to move on.

The story spans a few years and Caroline's escape of her hometown to start over. She meets incredible people and really becomes an inspirational young woman. So much of this book put me to tears. It deals with a lot of heavy subject matter and a lot of testing times. Just when it seems that everything is going great for Caroline, something stops her in her tracks.

In the Fields is one of those books everyone should read. It will really round out your views on the world and make you think about what things make us who we are. Does race or sexuality define a human being or is it more? It's something to think about and an incredible book to enjoy. You will cry a lot, you will hurt and ache, you will be a mess, but you will also love it.

Also check out Willow's True Love Story.

WILLOW

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