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sheldon1979's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Finley Sinclair is on her way to Ireland to attend a school program where she lives for a school year in another country. On the flight she meets Beckett Rush a famous actor who she makes clear she isn't interested in her. But unfortunatley he also appears to be staying at the same B&B where she is staying with her host family.
Whilst attending school she is given a task to befriend a dying patient of a nursing home who doesn't want any visitors and she also has a task to find a Celtic Cross her dead brother photographed years earlier to allow her to finish her musical piece for her audition to get into school in America.
With the death of her brother, the dying patient and a person who hates her because she didn't befriend her as the weeks go by and she loses control of her life somethings become more prominent than others as she struggles to find Gods voice in the world.
Whilst attending school she is given a task to befriend a dying patient of a nursing home who doesn't want any visitors and she also has a task to find a Celtic Cross her dead brother photographed years earlier to allow her to finish her musical piece for her audition to get into school in America.
With the death of her brother, the dying patient and a person who hates her because she didn't befriend her as the weeks go by and she loses control of her life somethings become more prominent than others as she struggles to find Gods voice in the world.
jacks7's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. :) It was funny, sad, adorbs, and serious all in one.
Beckett = I think you're amazing...
Finley = you got on my nerves a little, but all-in-all, you're a strong girl for what you've gone through.
Bob = I love you. heehee
Beatrice = Um, you suck. And that's putting it nicely.
Will = I think we would have been good friend. :)
Go read this book now, so you can understand the above. haha :) You won't be sorry.
Beckett = I think you're amazing...
Finley = you got on my nerves a little, but all-in-all, you're a strong girl for what you've gone through.
Bob = I love you. heehee
Beatrice = Um, you suck. And that's putting it nicely.
Will = I think we would have been good friend. :)
Go read this book now, so you can understand the above. haha :) You won't be sorry.
brennieree33's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I read this book after watching the movie adaptation, and although I tried to be as unbiased as possible, there still might be some.
I really liked this book. I think it's a solid Christian romance with one of my favorite tropes. I really liked the characters, especially Finley and Beckett. I think they're a super cute couple. I also loved the descriptions of the Irish landscape and people. Not enough books take place in Ireland. I'm also trash for the violin so that fact that Finley plays makes my heart so happy. But yeah, it was pretty good.
TW: eating disorders, grief, cancer, abuse, bullying
The good:
-This book won me over from the foreward with the John Mayer quote
-As a Minnesotan, Ireland really feels like the Minnesota of Europe lol
-Only fifty pages in and Beckett and Finley already had so much chemistry, and I really like that.
-"You bite people for a living" OH MY LORD THAT KILLED ME
-I'm trash for Christian romance, and I love the topic that Jones chose to focus on. Normally it's "one party is saved and as they fall in love the other party comes to know Jesus." Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm just so glad that losing faith was Finley's problem, as this isn't really ever focused on in the church even, yet so many people go through it.
-I was TERRIFIED that this book was going to cast Finley's eating disorder in a positive light when it was first brought up. I'm so thankful that it was addressed as a problem and that Finley couldn't keep living with that, and that she (I assume based on the dialogue) got help and is recovering.
-I just love the relationships in this book. Especially Finley's with Will, Beckett, Erin, and Mrs. Sweeney. They were all just so heartwarming, and I love that they were so complex.
The bad:
-Okay, I love Finley as a character, but no self-respecting person over the age of 7 should ever use the word "tinkle" unironically lol
-Why does Finley judge Beckett so harshly when she'd been in his shoes just over a year before? She'd been in the public eye in her life before, so she'd know the pressure of the paparazzi? If she can explain her own bad actions with reasons behind the scenes, isn't the logical conclusion that Beckett also has his own behind the scenes reasons? It's just so hypocritical
I really liked this book. I think it's a solid Christian romance with one of my favorite tropes. I really liked the characters, especially Finley and Beckett. I think they're a super cute couple. I also loved the descriptions of the Irish landscape and people. Not enough books take place in Ireland. I'm also trash for the violin so that fact that Finley plays makes my heart so happy. But yeah, it was pretty good.
TW: eating disorders, grief, cancer, abuse, bullying
Spoiler
The good:
-This book won me over from the foreward with the John Mayer quote
-As a Minnesotan, Ireland really feels like the Minnesota of Europe lol
-Only fifty pages in and Beckett and Finley already had so much chemistry, and I really like that.
-"You bite people for a living" OH MY LORD THAT KILLED ME
-I'm trash for Christian romance, and I love the topic that Jones chose to focus on. Normally it's "one party is saved and as they fall in love the other party comes to know Jesus." Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm just so glad that losing faith was Finley's problem, as this isn't really ever focused on in the church even, yet so many people go through it.
-I was TERRIFIED that this book was going to cast Finley's eating disorder in a positive light when it was first brought up. I'm so thankful that it was addressed as a problem and that Finley couldn't keep living with that, and that she (I assume based on the dialogue) got help and is recovering.
-I just love the relationships in this book. Especially Finley's with Will, Beckett, Erin, and Mrs. Sweeney. They were all just so heartwarming, and I love that they were so complex.
The bad:
-Okay, I love Finley as a character, but no self-respecting person over the age of 7 should ever use the word "tinkle" unironically lol
-Why does Finley judge Beckett so harshly when she'd been in his shoes just over a year before? She'd been in the public eye in her life before, so she'd know the pressure of the paparazzi? If she can explain her own bad actions with reasons behind the scenes, isn't the logical conclusion that Beckett also has his own behind the scenes reasons? It's just so hypocritical
jaclyn323's review against another edition
4.0
A little cheesy but I connected with the character more than I thought. Also I love anything to do with Ireland.
marleeliz's review against another edition
3.0
overall a cute book, I actually liked the movie better. the pace of the book was a little slow for me. Beckett Rush is a heartthrob and Finleys journey of self discovery is inspiring
mr_d8a's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The individual reading the story really brings the characters to life.
pilateschick's review against another edition
4.0
I found this when I was searching Christian novels to read. It looked like a good one to read and pass on to Bethany. Halfway through I thought it wouldn't be a good book for girls because of a certain behavior, but by the end I was tempted to give it 5 stars because of how everything unfolded. Yes, there's romance (both are awesome lead characters) and so much more. Many layers and a lot of depth to her writing. I laughed a lot and shed a few tears. Loved it.
shelbymarie516's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I could give this book more than five stars. So if you don’t know already this is being made into a movie. Once I saw the commercial I thought ok rom com, hallmarky and Ireland. Sign me up!
When I started reading this I had no idea. This book deals with grief, anger, loss, stress and mental issues all with a Christian/God stance on things and I. Am. Here. For. It!!!
Thank you Jenny B. Jones for following God and writing such a beautiful story. Can’t wait to see the movie!!
When I started reading this I had no idea. This book deals with grief, anger, loss, stress and mental issues all with a Christian/God stance on things and I. Am. Here. For. It!!!
Thank you Jenny B. Jones for following God and writing such a beautiful story. Can’t wait to see the movie!!
50bookgoal's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gatosenojados's review against another edition
4.0
It was kind of like the movie Raise Your Voice with Hillary Duff, but more preachy and it was set in ireland. The story kept my attention, but it was pretty cliché. I feel like I've read it before in other books.