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angelreads's review
4.0
You can find this review and more on Angel Reads.
I received an e-arc of In Place of Never by Julie Anne Lindsey from Lyrical Press, Kensington Books via NetGalley. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.
I don’t know what I was expecting when I started this book. I hadn’t heard much about, I read it on a whim as the synopsis intrigued me and I am glad I did.
In Place of Never follows protagonists, Mercy as she tries to come to terms with the death of her sister. Even though it happens years before, something died in Mercy when her sister did. So when the last people that saw her alive comes back to town – she has to confront them, however everything isn’t all it seems. She finds an expected ally is Cross who sees her for her for the first time and not someone from the outside.
Mercy is a troubled one. Her life has been school and boys. She had to suffer through the terrible drowning of her sister Faith and then the suicide of her mother, leaving her with her overprotective father. And herself. Mercy suffers with depression and heartache, all I wanted to do was wrap her in my arms and hug her. Everyone treats her differently and all she wants is answers. So when the traveling gypsies come back to town she knows where to get them. Everything isn’t what it seems and then she meets Cross.
I loved Cross, he was such a loveable character that you couldn’t help, but smile every time he was mentioned. Maybe it was because of Mercy and how she felt about Cross or maybe it was since Lindsey was such beautifully written. I normally hate when characters are musicians in novels simply as I think it’s so cliquey and I have seen it so many times before, but there was something about Cross, that it didn’t matter.
The storyline of In Place of Never was truly intriguing, I wanted to know what happened to Faith. As each step into the novel, we find out stuff that leads us in one direction and then boom! We are in another. It was thrilling and I couldn’t get enough of it. I liked how everything unfolded slowly and not until the end. However, I felt the ending was rushed and wasn’t intense enough for the situation at hand.
The writing was beautiful. Julie Anne Lindsey is captivating and brings the reader on the journey with both Mercy and Cross.
The family dynamics. True, but upsetting. I didn’t like Mercy’s dad, at all. I know that he behaved that way because he already lost his wife and daughter and couldn’t lose what he had left. However he was obsessed and not in the way that Mercy was, he was determined that the traveling gypsies were to blame, but he didn’t ask the questions. He didn’t have much character development
In Place of Never is a heartbreaking novel about finding the truth, death, depression, sacrifice and what it’s like to live when everything else is falling apart. Julie Anne Lindsey writes a beautiful novel that lets the reader pond upon life and what it’s truly like to live. It’s about love, faith and finding all the little things that count.
I received an e-arc of In Place of Never by Julie Anne Lindsey from Lyrical Press, Kensington Books via NetGalley. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.
I don’t know what I was expecting when I started this book. I hadn’t heard much about, I read it on a whim as the synopsis intrigued me and I am glad I did.
In Place of Never follows protagonists, Mercy as she tries to come to terms with the death of her sister. Even though it happens years before, something died in Mercy when her sister did. So when the last people that saw her alive comes back to town – she has to confront them, however everything isn’t all it seems. She finds an expected ally is Cross who sees her for her for the first time and not someone from the outside.
Mercy is a troubled one. Her life has been school and boys. She had to suffer through the terrible drowning of her sister Faith and then the suicide of her mother, leaving her with her overprotective father. And herself. Mercy suffers with depression and heartache, all I wanted to do was wrap her in my arms and hug her. Everyone treats her differently and all she wants is answers. So when the traveling gypsies come back to town she knows where to get them. Everything isn’t what it seems and then she meets Cross.
I loved Cross, he was such a loveable character that you couldn’t help, but smile every time he was mentioned. Maybe it was because of Mercy and how she felt about Cross or maybe it was since Lindsey was such beautifully written. I normally hate when characters are musicians in novels simply as I think it’s so cliquey and I have seen it so many times before, but there was something about Cross, that it didn’t matter.
The storyline of In Place of Never was truly intriguing, I wanted to know what happened to Faith. As each step into the novel, we find out stuff that leads us in one direction and then boom! We are in another. It was thrilling and I couldn’t get enough of it. I liked how everything unfolded slowly and not until the end. However, I felt the ending was rushed and wasn’t intense enough for the situation at hand.
The writing was beautiful. Julie Anne Lindsey is captivating and brings the reader on the journey with both Mercy and Cross.
The family dynamics. True, but upsetting. I didn’t like Mercy’s dad, at all. I know that he behaved that way because he already lost his wife and daughter and couldn’t lose what he had left. However he was obsessed and not in the way that Mercy was, he was determined that the traveling gypsies were to blame, but he didn’t ask the questions. He didn’t have much character development
In Place of Never is a heartbreaking novel about finding the truth, death, depression, sacrifice and what it’s like to live when everything else is falling apart. Julie Anne Lindsey writes a beautiful novel that lets the reader pond upon life and what it’s truly like to live. It’s about love, faith and finding all the little things that count.
missriki's review
4.0
This book was an absolutely delightful find. I had no idea what to expect when I requested a review copy, but I was so intrigued by the synopsis and needed a dark, twisty YA in my life like nobody's business. Boy, was I ever pleasantly surprised!
This book has everything I love about a deeply moving and intense mystery, all wrapped up in a darkly atmospheric, richly depicted underworld. In this instance, that underworld is a traveling family of performers who may or may not have the answers to a dark family mystery. I loved Cross and his intriguing "family" of performers in this novel. He's exactly the type of brooding YA lead that I fall for, and I thought the connection between Cross and Mercy was intense and immediate. I loved the slow burn feel of their relation ship. If I had a criticism of the book, it would be that I so wanted more scenes with the performers. It's such an interesting and unusual world, I wanted more.
Mercy is a wonderful lead character with plenty of deep-seated motivation to find out what happened to her older sister. The family dynamics of the book are really well done, and I could really feel Mercy's pain and confusion throughout. I loved seeing her transformation as clues begin to fall into place and she begins to realize that who can and cannot be trusted.
The pacing and plot of this book are impeccable, with a wonderful twisty mystery that kept me guessing until the end. The book is definitely a page-turner. In fact, I read it in one sitting!
I highly recommend this book for and of dark, twisty YA. It's got a deeply intriguing send of setting and a lovely slow burn romance that is sure to delight readers.
This book has everything I love about a deeply moving and intense mystery, all wrapped up in a darkly atmospheric, richly depicted underworld. In this instance, that underworld is a traveling family of performers who may or may not have the answers to a dark family mystery. I loved Cross and his intriguing "family" of performers in this novel. He's exactly the type of brooding YA lead that I fall for, and I thought the connection between Cross and Mercy was intense and immediate. I loved the slow burn feel of their relation ship. If I had a criticism of the book, it would be that I so wanted more scenes with the performers. It's such an interesting and unusual world, I wanted more.
Mercy is a wonderful lead character with plenty of deep-seated motivation to find out what happened to her older sister. The family dynamics of the book are really well done, and I could really feel Mercy's pain and confusion throughout. I loved seeing her transformation as clues begin to fall into place and she begins to realize that who can and cannot be trusted.
The pacing and plot of this book are impeccable, with a wonderful twisty mystery that kept me guessing until the end. The book is definitely a page-turner. In fact, I read it in one sitting!
I highly recommend this book for and of dark, twisty YA. It's got a deeply intriguing send of setting and a lovely slow burn romance that is sure to delight readers.
tswanson103's review
3.0
This book tried to be too much.
There was insta-love, a murder mystery, cutting, dealing with suicide, being a pastor's kid, foster care, a Roma traveling carnival, discussion of consent, a music competition, premarital sex, teen pregnancy, miscarriages, leaving for college for the first time...
The list is seemingly never ending. There was just so much going on that it felt contrived at times, which made it difficult to believe any of the characters. Despite the overwhelming amount of problems, there was something intoxicating about the story line that kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next. Teenagers, I feel, would be truly engaged by this story and would enjoy getting to go on Mercy's revival mission with her.
There was insta-love, a murder mystery, cutting, dealing with suicide, being a pastor's kid, foster care, a Roma traveling carnival, discussion of consent, a music competition, premarital sex, teen pregnancy, miscarriages, leaving for college for the first time...
The list is seemingly never ending. There was just so much going on that it felt contrived at times, which made it difficult to believe any of the characters. Despite the overwhelming amount of problems, there was something intoxicating about the story line that kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next. Teenagers, I feel, would be truly engaged by this story and would enjoy getting to go on Mercy's revival mission with her.
kunger129's review
3.0
The story in this book was interesting. Mercy is still grieving over her sister's death three years ago, and she's determined to uncover exactly what happened before she heads off to college. The traveling sideshow that was in town the summer Faith died is back in St. Mary's, West Virginia, and Mercy is certain they know something about what happened to Faith. She and her younger sister, Prudence, team up with a new member of the show, Cross, to track down what happened.
I enjoyed the characters, especially Prudence and Cross. And the romance between Cross and Mercy was fun to read, but there was something off about the writing in this book. It was kind of choppy. Plot elements kept coming out of nowhere to surprise me. Not in a good way though. More in a "what is happening here" and "did I miss something" kind of way. I'm pretty sure I didn't miss anything though.
I'm not sorry I read this book, but I'm a little disappointed because I really wanted to like it more. The mystery did keep me guessing until the end, but the clunky writing style made it hard to lose myself in the story.
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/01/book-review-in-place-of-never-ya.html
I enjoyed the characters, especially Prudence and Cross. And the romance between Cross and Mercy was fun to read, but there was something off about the writing in this book. It was kind of choppy. Plot elements kept coming out of nowhere to surprise me. Not in a good way though. More in a "what is happening here" and "did I miss something" kind of way. I'm pretty sure I didn't miss anything though.
I'm not sorry I read this book, but I'm a little disappointed because I really wanted to like it more. The mystery did keep me guessing until the end, but the clunky writing style made it hard to lose myself in the story.
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/01/book-review-in-place-of-never-ya.html
heyprettybird's review
4.0
In Place of Never starts out on the anniversary of Faith’s death. It’s been three years and Mercy is still reeling at the death of her older sister. This book holds onto a hefty amount of triggers for people who have had depression, issues with death and losing a member of the family as well as self harm. I would not recommend this novel to people who are still in recovery or are easily triggered by graphic detailing. While Mercy is a victim of all of these things, the novel focuses on her healing process.
On the anniversary of her sister’s death the sideshow that mysteriously vanished the night she died reappears and with it brings Roma tradition. The author, Lindsey, does very well to remind everyone that Gypsy is a slur to the Roma people who live this lifestyle which I found nice and refreshing. She had done her homework very well on several issues throughout the book. Along with the side show comes a non-Roma boy, who has bigger dreams that what the sideshow can give him. He comes to town with the goal of winning singer/songwriter contest but in the mix of Mercy’s investigation, gets swept up in Mercy herself.
Despite feelings for the boy who doesn’t stare at her scar, Mercy carries on her mission of finding out just what really happened to her sister three years ago. There’s a mix of “he said, she said” with a cast of odd and suspicious characters that keeps even the reader guessing as they turn the page. I will admit I was even caught off guard by the end of the novel. A lot of bridges get burned and several rebuilt. It’s a great cast of side characters that Lindsey does an amazing job of fleshing out , giving the whole novel a sense of something real. I really enjoyed Mercy’s story of coming to terms with death and healing for the better, she even rebuilds a life with her younger sister who thought she was lost long ago. All in all, Lindsey writes a relate-able novel. I loved her descriptive details that went into the metamorphosis of Mercy as she finds her Sister’s Killer and prepares herself for a world outside of her small town and life in college.
On the anniversary of her sister’s death the sideshow that mysteriously vanished the night she died reappears and with it brings Roma tradition. The author, Lindsey, does very well to remind everyone that Gypsy is a slur to the Roma people who live this lifestyle which I found nice and refreshing. She had done her homework very well on several issues throughout the book. Along with the side show comes a non-Roma boy, who has bigger dreams that what the sideshow can give him. He comes to town with the goal of winning singer/songwriter contest but in the mix of Mercy’s investigation, gets swept up in Mercy herself.
Despite feelings for the boy who doesn’t stare at her scar, Mercy carries on her mission of finding out just what really happened to her sister three years ago. There’s a mix of “he said, she said” with a cast of odd and suspicious characters that keeps even the reader guessing as they turn the page. I will admit I was even caught off guard by the end of the novel. A lot of bridges get burned and several rebuilt. It’s a great cast of side characters that Lindsey does an amazing job of fleshing out , giving the whole novel a sense of something real. I really enjoyed Mercy’s story of coming to terms with death and healing for the better, she even rebuilds a life with her younger sister who thought she was lost long ago. All in all, Lindsey writes a relate-able novel. I loved her descriptive details that went into the metamorphosis of Mercy as she finds her Sister’s Killer and prepares herself for a world outside of her small town and life in college.
arydwn's review
4.0
Review posted on my blog, Audrey's Bookcase:
First off, I should mention that there are a couple of trigger warnings; the story deals with self-harm, abuse, suicide, and depression. It's not for the light-hearted, and it's not something I'm usually the first in line to read, but to say this book surprised me is a bit of an understatement. I mean that in a good way.
I have to admit that it took me a while to get into the book. About a quarter into it, I wanted to drop it and move on to the next, but something about the tone and the way Lindsey writes compelled me to keep moving forward. The story is very much set up as a mystery, taking place after the death of Mercy's older sister. A few years have passed but the impact still exists in their household. The need to know what happened to Mercy's sister and the progression of the events after kept me interested 'til the very end.
There are several other themes in this book including religion, music, and culture. I'm not one to usually lean towards books dealing with religion, just because I've seen it go totally wrong and get really preachy and/or discriminatory. Now, In Place of Never also deals with Roma and their culture. Mix the two, and again -- could go totally wrong. But Lindsey did a good job in keeping the content appropriate.
A lot goes on in the book, but what I enjoyed most about this book was Mercy's personal growth. In the beginning, Mercy shut herself out from the world, including her family. It's not until she meets the travelling sideshow made up of the Lovell family -- and a boy named Cross -- that she starts coming out of her self-contained shell and demands answers and closure from Faith's death. A huge part of this growth came from her interactions with other characters: her younger sister, her father, Cross, and the rest of the Lovell family. It was also interesting to get to know the other characters, because every single one of them is so different from each other, but they were all tied together by one life-changing event.
In Place of Never gives readers a glimpse of the effects of a tragedy in a small community where it's easier to make assumptions than it is to find the truth. All in all, the story is about healing and forgiveness, wrapped up in a pretty engrossing tale full of mystery, justice, and a healthy dose of romance.
First off, I should mention that there are a couple of trigger warnings; the story deals with self-harm, abuse, suicide, and depression. It's not for the light-hearted, and it's not something I'm usually the first in line to read, but to say this book surprised me is a bit of an understatement. I mean that in a good way.
I have to admit that it took me a while to get into the book. About a quarter into it, I wanted to drop it and move on to the next, but something about the tone and the way Lindsey writes compelled me to keep moving forward. The story is very much set up as a mystery, taking place after the death of Mercy's older sister. A few years have passed but the impact still exists in their household. The need to know what happened to Mercy's sister and the progression of the events after kept me interested 'til the very end.
There are several other themes in this book including religion, music, and culture. I'm not one to usually lean towards books dealing with religion, just because I've seen it go totally wrong and get really preachy and/or discriminatory. Now, In Place of Never also deals with Roma and their culture. Mix the two, and again -- could go totally wrong. But Lindsey did a good job in keeping the content appropriate.
A lot goes on in the book, but what I enjoyed most about this book was Mercy's personal growth. In the beginning, Mercy shut herself out from the world, including her family. It's not until she meets the travelling sideshow made up of the Lovell family -- and a boy named Cross -- that she starts coming out of her self-contained shell and demands answers and closure from Faith's death. A huge part of this growth came from her interactions with other characters: her younger sister, her father, Cross, and the rest of the Lovell family. It was also interesting to get to know the other characters, because every single one of them is so different from each other, but they were all tied together by one life-changing event.
In Place of Never gives readers a glimpse of the effects of a tragedy in a small community where it's easier to make assumptions than it is to find the truth. All in all, the story is about healing and forgiveness, wrapped up in a pretty engrossing tale full of mystery, justice, and a healthy dose of romance.
dany_cp03's review
4.0
**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
This was a really nice surprise. I requested this book because the cover drew me in. After I saw it, I went and read the blurb of the book and thought it sounded like something I would like. And it was.
This book introduces you to Mercy's life, a girl who's had to see death way too many times for someone so young. For years she's had to suffer and live with the pain and guilt and the doubts that those deaths left her with. What if she hadn't covered for her sister that night? Why hadn't she seen what was really going on with her mom? Did she really knew her sister? Was she sad? Was she happy? What if she wasn't really happy? What if she was in pain and she wanted to end it? The doubts are our own enemies. But what if those doubts can be resolved? Everything seems possible when the festival comes into town and with it, a new guy comes along. All the doubts start looking as questions that have real answers, and she's set her mind to find them.
In Place Of Never is a story about searching the truth about life and about yourself too. It's about grief and moving on. It's about friendship and the beauty of being able to count on the people you love. Sometimes we depend or rely so much in someone, that we tend to forget who we are without them. It's like, we can't function if the other person isn't around, and that couldn't be so far from the truth. When I first started reading the book, I thought the storyline was interesting, and it got better with every page turn. At some point, the story got a bit predictable, but I don't mean that in a bad way. Sometimes, you just realise what's going on, but it's the author's job to still make the story interesting, and I got that. Even though I had an idea of what was going on, I wasn't entirely sure and the story was inviting enough for me to keep reading until I found out the truth along with Mercy and Cross.
Mercy is just a young girl who's lost a lot over the years. She's barely survived over the years, dealing with her pain in different ways: stepping out of life, cutting, shutting everyone and everything out. I really saw the way she grew in those weeks. Finding out the truth can start as something to free someone else, but along the way, you might find that you needed to be free too, and that's exactly what happens with Mercy. I really liked seeing her grow into a more confident girl over the chapters. When she was shy and confused and depressed, she ends up being a confident, and determined girl who will do anything to be free of her demons.
Then, we have Cross. Will. I have to say, there's something about characters named Will that draw me in. And this one here, is no different. He's mysterious but sweet at the same time. Cross is the little push Mercy needed to get out of that bubble she was in, so she could start enjoying her life. I loved that even though he seemed to be all serious and cranky, there was something sweet and adorable about him, like everything he did and said, came straight from the heart. I love that.
This book includes a few delicate topics, like cutting and fighting to feel something or drain the pain. I felt like these things were barely explained, and if they were things that marked the character's lives so much (which I believe they were) I think the author could've gone a bit deeper into it, not in a morbid way or anything, but explain a bit better and give it the attention that a problem like that really needs, you know? But other than that, I really enjoyed it.
The pace of the book was really good. It was intense when it needed to be intense, and it was sweet and lighthearted when it needed to be like that, and those sweet moments were heart-warming and swoon worthy.
There was something I really liked about this story. We have two sides of beliefs. It's sad but it's so common to find people who say they do as God says, but in reality, they're just so far away from what I believe God intended for us all to do. We should all love one another, right? Then, why judge? I saw a lot of judgement in this book and I really liked how the author managed to fight it. Sometimes, beliefs make people do crazy things, but sometimes, those same beliefs help you see how wrong you've been.
This was a really nice surprise. I requested this book because the cover drew me in. After I saw it, I went and read the blurb of the book and thought it sounded like something I would like. And it was.
This book introduces you to Mercy's life, a girl who's had to see death way too many times for someone so young. For years she's had to suffer and live with the pain and guilt and the doubts that those deaths left her with. What if she hadn't covered for her sister that night? Why hadn't she seen what was really going on with her mom? Did she really knew her sister? Was she sad? Was she happy? What if she wasn't really happy? What if she was in pain and she wanted to end it? The doubts are our own enemies. But what if those doubts can be resolved? Everything seems possible when the festival comes into town and with it, a new guy comes along. All the doubts start looking as questions that have real answers, and she's set her mind to find them.
In Place Of Never is a story about searching the truth about life and about yourself too. It's about grief and moving on. It's about friendship and the beauty of being able to count on the people you love. Sometimes we depend or rely so much in someone, that we tend to forget who we are without them. It's like, we can't function if the other person isn't around, and that couldn't be so far from the truth. When I first started reading the book, I thought the storyline was interesting, and it got better with every page turn. At some point, the story got a bit predictable, but I don't mean that in a bad way. Sometimes, you just realise what's going on, but it's the author's job to still make the story interesting, and I got that. Even though I had an idea of what was going on, I wasn't entirely sure and the story was inviting enough for me to keep reading until I found out the truth along with Mercy and Cross.
Mercy is just a young girl who's lost a lot over the years. She's barely survived over the years, dealing with her pain in different ways: stepping out of life, cutting, shutting everyone and everything out. I really saw the way she grew in those weeks. Finding out the truth can start as something to free someone else, but along the way, you might find that you needed to be free too, and that's exactly what happens with Mercy. I really liked seeing her grow into a more confident girl over the chapters. When she was shy and confused and depressed, she ends up being a confident, and determined girl who will do anything to be free of her demons.
Then, we have Cross. Will. I have to say, there's something about characters named Will that draw me in. And this one here, is no different. He's mysterious but sweet at the same time. Cross is the little push Mercy needed to get out of that bubble she was in, so she could start enjoying her life. I loved that even though he seemed to be all serious and cranky, there was something sweet and adorable about him, like everything he did and said, came straight from the heart. I love that.
This book includes a few delicate topics, like cutting and fighting to feel something or drain the pain. I felt like these things were barely explained, and if they were things that marked the character's lives so much (which I believe they were) I think the author could've gone a bit deeper into it, not in a morbid way or anything, but explain a bit better and give it the attention that a problem like that really needs, you know? But other than that, I really enjoyed it.
The pace of the book was really good. It was intense when it needed to be intense, and it was sweet and lighthearted when it needed to be like that, and those sweet moments were heart-warming and swoon worthy.
There was something I really liked about this story. We have two sides of beliefs. It's sad but it's so common to find people who say they do as God says, but in reality, they're just so far away from what I believe God intended for us all to do. We should all love one another, right? Then, why judge? I saw a lot of judgement in this book and I really liked how the author managed to fight it. Sometimes, beliefs make people do crazy things, but sometimes, those same beliefs help you see how wrong you've been.
ruthsic's review
4.0
A part of Mercy died the summer her sister tragically drowned. Now Mercy has a chance to discover if Faith's death was an accident—or murder. Her first step is to confront the lead suspects: a band of traveling gypsies—the last people who saw her sister alive. But Mercy finds an unexpected ally in Cross, the soulful musician in their ranks. He's a kindred spirit, someone who sees into her heart for the first time in, well, forever. Yet stirring up the past puts Mercy in danger…
Suddenly someone is shadowing Mercy's every move, making her even more determined to uncover the facts. With Cross by her side, she is ready to face it all, even if that means opening up to him, knowing he may one day leave her. What she discovers is a truth that rocks the foundation of her small river town—and a love worth risking everything for….
Surviving a loved one's death is a very hard to thing to do. Surviving a death you think you could have avoided by a different choice is even harder. Mercy has been living with the guilt of her sister's 'accidental' death for three years, and now when she is about to leave for college, she resolves to put an end to the mystery and figure out what really happened that night. It helps that the traveling sideshow, which was in town that unfateful night, is back in their midst, making it her first priority to investigate. Among them, she also finds Cross, who knows what she is going through and identifies with her; more importantly, he understands her brokenness and is okay with it - not trying to fix her.
As she tries to piece together the events of that night, she realizes there is a bigger picture at play. She thought hers was the only family that was dysfunctional and hid it, owing to them being the pastor's children, but soon she realizes that she was perhaps wrong about her town. Her father, however, is very much against her associating with the people whom he derogatorily calls Gypsies, and after three years, has finally woken up to 'protect' his daughters from their menace. Mercy also has woken up and realized all that she had missed, like checking out on her younger sister who was left to fend for herself. Pru is a very interesting character in that she was resilient; she did not let her absent family bring her down.
Overall, this book speaks out to all grieving souls everywhere, assuring that mourning is not something to be ashamed of. There is a strength in getting through it. One line I really loved was
Received a free galley from Kensington Books, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Suddenly someone is shadowing Mercy's every move, making her even more determined to uncover the facts. With Cross by her side, she is ready to face it all, even if that means opening up to him, knowing he may one day leave her. What she discovers is a truth that rocks the foundation of her small river town—and a love worth risking everything for….
Surviving a loved one's death is a very hard to thing to do. Surviving a death you think you could have avoided by a different choice is even harder. Mercy has been living with the guilt of her sister's 'accidental' death for three years, and now when she is about to leave for college, she resolves to put an end to the mystery and figure out what really happened that night. It helps that the traveling sideshow, which was in town that unfateful night, is back in their midst, making it her first priority to investigate. Among them, she also finds Cross, who knows what she is going through and identifies with her; more importantly, he understands her brokenness and is okay with it - not trying to fix her.
As she tries to piece together the events of that night, she realizes there is a bigger picture at play. She thought hers was the only family that was dysfunctional and hid it, owing to them being the pastor's children, but soon she realizes that she was perhaps wrong about her town. Her father, however, is very much against her associating with the people whom he derogatorily calls Gypsies, and after three years, has finally woken up to 'protect' his daughters from their menace. Mercy also has woken up and realized all that she had missed, like checking out on her younger sister who was left to fend for herself. Pru is a very interesting character in that she was resilient; she did not let her absent family bring her down.
Overall, this book speaks out to all grieving souls everywhere, assuring that mourning is not something to be ashamed of. There is a strength in getting through it. One line I really loved was
Too many people tried fixing me. Most justified their intrusion under the guise of love, but fixing wasn’t love. Fixing was like saying, “I don’t like you this way. Let me change you into something that makes me more comfortable."
Received a free galley from Kensington Books, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
emilytalksaboutbooks's review
4.0
*I generously received a free copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I was very delightedly surprised with this. To be completely honest, I did not have high expectations, but this book turned out to be wonderfully enjoyable!
There are so many concepts in this book that are extremely hard to write about and make it good. Of course there will always be controversy over such issues, but this novel did an incredible job of portraying them. It writes about issues such as self harm, depression, religion, suicide, and teen pregnancies. To write about all of this at once without feeling overwhelmed is quite amazing. Although there were some moments where it felt like so much was going on at once, the author did a good job of balancing it out.
The character growth in this novel was lovely to read. We start with a girl who barely leaves the house but to visit her mother and sister, and her transformation to a newer, healthier lifestyles is beautiful. The relationship that grows between her father, her sister, and Cross were also beautiful.
I don't know what it was about this book, but it had me hooked. I was so engrossed into it, I could not put it down. I had to know what happened next, the only reason I stopped reading this was because I went to sleep, and that was after reading it until 3 in the morning.
Overall, this novel was extremely enjoyable and thrilling, and I am glad to have read it.
I would highly recommend it to fans of contemporary romance and thrillers.
I was very delightedly surprised with this. To be completely honest, I did not have high expectations, but this book turned out to be wonderfully enjoyable!
There are so many concepts in this book that are extremely hard to write about and make it good. Of course there will always be controversy over such issues, but this novel did an incredible job of portraying them. It writes about issues such as self harm, depression, religion, suicide, and teen pregnancies. To write about all of this at once without feeling overwhelmed is quite amazing. Although there were some moments where it felt like so much was going on at once, the author did a good job of balancing it out.
The character growth in this novel was lovely to read. We start with a girl who barely leaves the house but to visit her mother and sister, and her transformation to a newer, healthier lifestyles is beautiful. The relationship that grows between her father, her sister, and Cross were also beautiful.
I don't know what it was about this book, but it had me hooked. I was so engrossed into it, I could not put it down. I had to know what happened next, the only reason I stopped reading this was because I went to sleep, and that was after reading it until 3 in the morning.
Overall, this novel was extremely enjoyable and thrilling, and I am glad to have read it.
I would highly recommend it to fans of contemporary romance and thrillers.
alyce6d980's review
4.0
"We all have scars. They aren't always visible, but they're there. Life's hard on everyone, no matter what people show the world. Don't be ashamed of these. Scars are proof of healing. Scars say you survived."
It's been three years since Mercy Porter's sister, Faith, drowned. The official cause of death was accidental drowning, but the rumours have swung from suicide to murder and back again. Mercy had completely closed herself off from the world for three years, ignoring her father and her younger sister Pru, but when she bumps into two mysterious men and discovers that the Lovell's sideshow is back in town, she finds a renewed sense of purpose: she will solve the mystery of Faith's final hours.
The sideshow was in town the night Faith drowned, but by the time her body was discovered the next morning the group had disappeared. Her father blames them for Faith's death, and for the subsequent suicide of their mother, but Mercy doesn't think it can be as easy as that. When she starts investigating she finds herself working closely with Cross, a new addition to the group, and it doesn't take long before she's falling in love and looking forward to her future for the first time since that fateful night.
Part mystery, part romance, I actually really enjoyed 'In Place of Never'. It took a little time to get into it, discovering the dynamics between the characters and everything that had happened to them over the past three years, but when the story hit its stride it was near impossible to put it down.
Read the rest of my review here!
It's been three years since Mercy Porter's sister, Faith, drowned. The official cause of death was accidental drowning, but the rumours have swung from suicide to murder and back again. Mercy had completely closed herself off from the world for three years, ignoring her father and her younger sister Pru, but when she bumps into two mysterious men and discovers that the Lovell's sideshow is back in town, she finds a renewed sense of purpose: she will solve the mystery of Faith's final hours.
The sideshow was in town the night Faith drowned, but by the time her body was discovered the next morning the group had disappeared. Her father blames them for Faith's death, and for the subsequent suicide of their mother, but Mercy doesn't think it can be as easy as that. When she starts investigating she finds herself working closely with Cross, a new addition to the group, and it doesn't take long before she's falling in love and looking forward to her future for the first time since that fateful night.
Part mystery, part romance, I actually really enjoyed 'In Place of Never'. It took a little time to get into it, discovering the dynamics between the characters and everything that had happened to them over the past three years, but when the story hit its stride it was near impossible to put it down.
Read the rest of my review here!
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