Far From You Review

Author: Lisa Schroeder
Release date: December 23, 2008
Pages: 355
Publisher: SimonPulse
How I got it: Bought 

Lost and alone...down the rabbit hole. 

Years have passed since Alice lost her mother to cancer, but time hasn't quite healed the wound. Alice copes the best she can by writing her music, losing herself in her love for her boyfriend, and distancing herself from her father and his new wife. 

But when a deadly snowstorm traps Alice with her stepmother and newborn half sister, she'll face issues she's been avoiding for too long. As Alice looks to the heavens for guidance, she discovers something wonderful 

Perhaps she's not so alone after all....

I am a self-proclaimed Lisa Schroeder fangirl, and this is my last book of hers that I hadn't read. It definitely didn't let me down, though it probably was my least favorite of Schroeder's books.

Alice is dealing with two big issues: her mother's death, and her father's new family. Luckily, though, there are some good moments in her life, especially the moments she spends with her boyfriend Blaze. We saw a lot of Alice's personality in those moments, and it really made the book that much better. Also, I love that Blaze was not a jerk like the normal first boyfriend in books.

My main issue with Far From You would have to be how suddenly and totally Alice changes her mind on so many things she once shunned. I understand that any stressful experience can do that to you, but it felt very rushed and unnatural in Far From You's case.

Even with that, Far From You was still a fast, gripping read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Plot: Emotional and gripping.

Characters: We really only got to know Alice, but I liked her.

Writing: Very good.

Ending: Like I said, kind of rushed and unnatural.

Mature content: Mentions of sex, and some swearing.

Overall:

I'd probably just point at the book and hope you knew what that meant.
I quite liked Far From You. I'm very sad I'm now out of Schroeder books, though.

Chasing Brooklyn Review

Author: Lisa Schroeder
Release Date: January 5, 2010
Pages: 412 (HC)
Publisher: SimonPulse
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Bought

Restless souls and empty hearts...

Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.
Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

That's it. I'm calling it: Lisa Schroeder is officially The Goddess of Verse. Don't get me wrong, Ellen Hopkins is a brilliant verse writer as well, but from what I've read of both authors I just enjoy Lisa's work a tad more. Each of her books have resonated with me in different ways, and Chasing Brooklyn--as I expected--was no different.

It's been one year after Lucca's death, and Brooklyn is still heavily grieving to the point where she's not really living. Enter Lucca's brother, Nico, who's not exactly doing so great either, despite what he tells himself. The two come together (due to some rather creepy paranormal circumstances) and help each other through their tough time. Brooklyn's and Nico's healing had such an organic and beautiful feel to it and I couldn't stop reading about it. It also helps that both characters are very likable.

I would've liked to know more about the side characters, and more about the main character's past (though part of the novel's message was leaving the past in the past, so I get that), but by no means did that want get in the way of me enjoying this amazing book. Geez Schroeder, how much more awesome can you get?!

Book Report:

Plot: Well-paced, and both dark and full of hope. (Which is a weird combo...)

Characters: Really well written!

Writing: Brilliant.

Ending: Perfect.

Kid friendly? Pretty. There's mild swearing and mentions of teen drinking.

Should I read it? Yes!

Overall:

The Day Before Review

Author: Lisa Schroeder
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Pages: 320 (e-galley)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from Galley Grab

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself. 

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

Last year, I read Lisa's debut novel, I Heart You, You Haunt Me. I thought it was addicting, and ended up on my "Best of 2010" list. Well, The Day Before was even more addicting and will more than likely be nabbing a spot on my "Best of 2011" list.

This is the first book that I've ever read it one sitting. Because TDB is written in verse, it is such a fast read. Combined with the mystery of what Cade's up to and Amber's voice, this one was extremely un-put-down-able. I would've liked some more flashbacks from Amber's past, but really I think that's my only complaint about the book.

What I thought would be a sad story, ended up leaving me with feelings of hope. The Day Before is a powerful, fast read about the impact one day can make. I have a feeling this is one I'll be cracking open again.

(I know this review is short, but I really don't want to spoil the book for anyone. I had no idea why Amber and Cade are at the beach, and it was that much better because of that.)

Plot: Unique and well-paced.

Characters: Easy to love.

Writing: Awesome.

Ending: Would've liked some more closure.

Kind Friendly? There was some swearing.

Overall:

Interview with Lisa Schroeder, Author of IHYYHM

Today I'm pleased to welcome Lisa Schroeder, author of young adult novels I Heart You, You Haunt Me (which I reviewed here), Far From You, and Chasing Brooklyn. Today we'll be discussing her first book, I Heart You, You Haunt Me.

Where did you get the idea for I Heart You, You Haunt Me?

I know you hear this answer from time to time from authors, but I had a dream about a girl whose boyfriend loved her so much he didn't want to let her go. I got up the next morning and started writing. I don't dream very often, so it was really strange. I wish it'd happen more often, actually.

What made you decide to write in verse?

I had been a fan of verse novels for a long time, but had never tried writing one. When I sat down to write, the story wanted to come out in this sparse, poetic way. I was afraid at first. Like - what am I doing? I don't know what I'm doing! But I went with it, because it felt right. When my agent took me on as a client, she said she loved the atmosphere the verse created. And I hadn't really put it into words before what the verse did for the story, but that's exactly it. It created an atmosphere I couldn't have gotten if I'd written in straight prose.

Which one of your I Heart You, You Haunt Me characters is most like you?

Definitely Ava. She loves to read and bake cookies and make playlists. I love all of those things too. But I didn't think about that when I was writing, I just knew that she was very different from Jackson, who was much more outgoing and adventurous, so I knew she was more quiet and enjoyed quieter activities.

There are a few songs that are mentioned in I Heart You, You Heart Me. Did you listen to them while writing? Did you have a playlist to go with your novel?

I listened to some Evanescence while I was writing the book, but that's about it. Other songs I had to research in order to find the right one to fit the occasion. Sometimes I listen to music while I'm writing, other times I don't. It just depends. Writing in verse is so much about finding the right words and I have to think HARD sometimes. But when I need inspiration, I definitely

look for songs that speak to my heart the way I want my books to speak to people's hearts. I know this might sound weird, but I'd love for my books to read like a long song.

Had you planned out the ending of the novel from the beginning?

I didn't plan out any of that novel. It all came very organically. I know some people are disappointed with the ending, but it felt right to me. It was too soon for anything else to happen for Ava. Lots of people have wanted to know what happens, and have asked for a sequel. There isn't one in the works at this time, but Ava does make a short but sweet appearance in CHASING BROOKLYN, so readers can see how she's doing. :)

Thank you again for the interview Lisa! I can't wait to read more of your work!

I Heart You, You Haunt Me Review

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Release Date: January 8, 2008

Pages: 226 (Paperback)

Publisher: SimonPulse

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Library
Other titles in series: Chasing Brooklyn (companion novel)
Challenges it counts for: Read Your Name Challenge (The I for Jessica)

Girl meets boy.

Girl loses boy.

Girl gets boy back...

...sort of.

Ava can't see him or touch him, unless she's dreaming. She can't hear hisvoice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she'scrazy, but she knows he's here.

Jackson. The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with. He's back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds.

-----------------------------------------------------

I finished I Heart You, You Haunt Me in only a few hours, but it had enough emotion to be a 500 page book.

The plot is simple, but packs an emotional punch. If you're looking for a completely paranormal, action driven book then I'll direct you to another book. But, if you're looking for a beautiful story that just happens to include a slight paranormal twist, then this is a book that I highly recommend.

Ava was a good character. We don't get to see a whole lot of her personality since she's completely overcome with grief, but the little that we did see in flashbacks was good. Jackson was probably the ideal boyfriend. So sweet. I even liked Lyric.

The writing was amazing. It's a verse novel which means that it's

written like

this.

It leaves you

thinking, writing,

even sometimes speaking,

just

like

this.

But don't let that discourage you! It's poetic and easy to read. Lisa Schroeder is a beautiful writer.

The ending was perfect. All in all, read it, especially if someone close to you has passed away. Just have a box of tissues near.