lzw's review against another edition
4.0
Just Live by Shaan Ranae is an emotional journey of a novel that I gave 4 out of 5 stars. This novel is written in first person POV of the main character: Katey. This book does contain some graphic violence, and adult situations.
Katey grew up believing in fairy tales and happily ever afters. She assumed she would meet her Prince Charming, and live out her dream life. That couldn’t be farther from the cold sullen reality she lives now. For two years she stayed. For two years she endured abuse at the hands of the one supposed to love and protect her. No more. She loses faith in people, and loses all aspirations of a “happily ever after”. Thankfully, her friend helps her break free from the horribly toxic relationship, and encourages to “just live” again. Willing to take a chance, she goes on a long journey cross-country in order to find herself, to find courage, to find confidence again. She didn’t count on finding love. Will she be able to let go of the past in order to have a future? Will her fears resurface and block her chance at love?
Wow, just wow. This novel was beautifully and emotionally written. THIS is why I love first person narrative-you feel all the emotions Katey feels. And in this novel-there is angst, anger, frustration, relief, happiness, and humor. This novel has it all. The characters are well developed, and the storyline is steadily paced. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Katey grew up believing in fairy tales and happily ever afters. She assumed she would meet her Prince Charming, and live out her dream life. That couldn’t be farther from the cold sullen reality she lives now. For two years she stayed. For two years she endured abuse at the hands of the one supposed to love and protect her. No more. She loses faith in people, and loses all aspirations of a “happily ever after”. Thankfully, her friend helps her break free from the horribly toxic relationship, and encourages to “just live” again. Willing to take a chance, she goes on a long journey cross-country in order to find herself, to find courage, to find confidence again. She didn’t count on finding love. Will she be able to let go of the past in order to have a future? Will her fears resurface and block her chance at love?
Wow, just wow. This novel was beautifully and emotionally written. THIS is why I love first person narrative-you feel all the emotions Katey feels. And in this novel-there is angst, anger, frustration, relief, happiness, and humor. This novel has it all. The characters are well developed, and the storyline is steadily paced. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
kelli513's review against another edition
5.0
Book Review: Just Live
Author: Shaan Ranae
FIVE STARS
Author Shaan Ranae has taken us into the life of Kathryn James in the book Just Live.
Kathryn is engaged to Michael and they are getting married tomorrow, or are they?
After years of being physically abused by Michael, Kathryn and her friend Sylvie have planned for Kathryn to make a get away. While on her way to a safe place Katey comes upon a hitchhiker what should she do?
Jasper, Jaz for short, is hitchhiking his way from Ohio to Vegas where he has an audition for a Jazz band. He sees a vision of loveliness and decides to take a chance and talk to her. He can tell she isn't sure about him.
This book contains lots of violence and adult situations concerning battered women and stalkers. Should be read by mature audiences only and only when comfortable with reading about situations such as this.
After fearing for her life for so long can Katey overcome her fears and let another man into her life? Will Jaz be able to break down Katey's walls long enough to make it into her heart and her life?
Will Katey be able to trust anyone again? Shaan Ranae has done a fabulous job in this book. The only issue I have is how easy it was for someone to break down her walls and that she trusted the hitchhiker in the first place. However what happens in Vegas, very well written and the way she reacted and fled, I can totally see her response to this situation being something that would happen in real life to protect the one that she has come to love.
Truly a five star read. It kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire read.
Kelli Harper
Author: Shaan Ranae
FIVE STARS
Author Shaan Ranae has taken us into the life of Kathryn James in the book Just Live.
Kathryn is engaged to Michael and they are getting married tomorrow, or are they?
After years of being physically abused by Michael, Kathryn and her friend Sylvie have planned for Kathryn to make a get away. While on her way to a safe place Katey comes upon a hitchhiker what should she do?
Jasper, Jaz for short, is hitchhiking his way from Ohio to Vegas where he has an audition for a Jazz band. He sees a vision of loveliness and decides to take a chance and talk to her. He can tell she isn't sure about him.
This book contains lots of violence and adult situations concerning battered women and stalkers. Should be read by mature audiences only and only when comfortable with reading about situations such as this.
After fearing for her life for so long can Katey overcome her fears and let another man into her life? Will Jaz be able to break down Katey's walls long enough to make it into her heart and her life?
Will Katey be able to trust anyone again? Shaan Ranae has done a fabulous job in this book. The only issue I have is how easy it was for someone to break down her walls and that she trusted the hitchhiker in the first place. However what happens in Vegas, very well written and the way she reacted and fled, I can totally see her response to this situation being something that would happen in real life to protect the one that she has come to love.
Truly a five star read. It kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire read.
Kelli Harper
katie_83's review against another edition
5.0
5 star review
Just Live is a beautifully written book by Shaan Ranae. I couldn’t believe how quickly I was hooked on this book, I found myself so immersed into Katey’s story. It was one of those books where it felt like I was reading someone’s real story. There are some pretty emotional and upsetting scenes in the book but they were written really well and respectful to people who have found their selves in the same or similar situations. One of the many things I enjoyed about this book was the descriptive writing, I could imagine the places the author was talking about and I could feel every emotion that Katey was feeling.
Kathryn is embarking on a journey across America after escaping an awful 2 years of torture, with the help of her friend, she escapes and adopts a new identity as Katey. On her journey she meets Jaz, a musician and they strike up a friendship. Along her journey Katey encounters many people who teach her a number of valuable lessons but it is Jaz who teaches her the most important one of all.
I really liked Katey – I loved how she embraced her new life and freedom and I really felt for her when she was thinking back to what her life was like before. She was far stronger than she realised!
I loved Jaz! Not only did he sound particularly sexy but I liked the way he was with Katey. Without fully knowing the details of her past he wanted to protect her. He was kind, funny and an all-round nice person.
There were a few twists and turns in the book that had me turning the pages faster and faster, I desperately wanted Katey to find the life she deserved and finally move past her horrific past few years. The book was powerful, emotional but also beautiful. It was inspirational to read and there were a few tears shed from me at the end!
I haven’t read anything by this author before but I know that I will be reading her other book. A truly beautiful and inspiring book and I definitely recommend it!
Just Live is a beautifully written book by Shaan Ranae. I couldn’t believe how quickly I was hooked on this book, I found myself so immersed into Katey’s story. It was one of those books where it felt like I was reading someone’s real story. There are some pretty emotional and upsetting scenes in the book but they were written really well and respectful to people who have found their selves in the same or similar situations. One of the many things I enjoyed about this book was the descriptive writing, I could imagine the places the author was talking about and I could feel every emotion that Katey was feeling.
Kathryn is embarking on a journey across America after escaping an awful 2 years of torture, with the help of her friend, she escapes and adopts a new identity as Katey. On her journey she meets Jaz, a musician and they strike up a friendship. Along her journey Katey encounters many people who teach her a number of valuable lessons but it is Jaz who teaches her the most important one of all.
I really liked Katey – I loved how she embraced her new life and freedom and I really felt for her when she was thinking back to what her life was like before. She was far stronger than she realised!
I loved Jaz! Not only did he sound particularly sexy but I liked the way he was with Katey. Without fully knowing the details of her past he wanted to protect her. He was kind, funny and an all-round nice person.
There were a few twists and turns in the book that had me turning the pages faster and faster, I desperately wanted Katey to find the life she deserved and finally move past her horrific past few years. The book was powerful, emotional but also beautiful. It was inspirational to read and there were a few tears shed from me at the end!
I haven’t read anything by this author before but I know that I will be reading her other book. A truly beautiful and inspiring book and I definitely recommend it!
bwagner's review against another edition
4.0
Just Live by Shaan Ranae is a story about leaving a past behind and starting your life over again. This story is full of excitement, romance and a variety of emotions. This author has created characters that you will be able to relate too and how they relate to each other is amazing. These characters will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride that you will want to get on. This story will pull at your heart strings in parts and make you belly laugh in other parts. Find out what happens when starting your life over is the only thing you think you can do!
Kathryn James is a woman who as a little girl wished for her true love through fairy dust in every ray of light. As an adult she is not so sure that true love exists. She has only found that love is pain and abuse from the one that says they love her. What happens when she finally finds the courage to start life over again? After a two year abusive relationship, she is determined to go cross country, live life without fear, pain and maybe even find love. What will happen on her journey to a new life? She meets different people and they all have different lessons to teach her. This is where she meets him. Will he change her life forever? Does he feel the instant connection she feels? Will she learn the most important lesson of all from him?
Jaz Carter is a musician in search of his dreams. What will happen when she passes him on the road? Will he feel the connection between them? He lives unorthodox, will she follow him? She is learning to just live, is that what she will do with him? Will he help her overcome her fears? She just keeps hearing, “just live” will she do just that? She is a strong character and a fighter, she knows what she wants. Will she find the courage to do what she has set out to do? Will he be the true love she has always dreamed about? Will she just live?
This is my first story by Shaan Ranae and I know it won't be the last. Shaan is happily married with two children. She was raised in Ohio and she brings a little part of that into each story. After reading a popular romance series, she found herself addicted to romance. Her love for writing has grown and so has her writing style. She has created an page turner that will pull you in from page one. This story does contain abusive situations, which hits home for me and maybe for you too. This story will leave you feeling and hoping for all for Kathryn. You will totally lose track of time reading this story and find yourself reading it in one sitting. I highly suggest this story as I know you will want to see what happens when it is just time to start a new life.
Kathryn James is a woman who as a little girl wished for her true love through fairy dust in every ray of light. As an adult she is not so sure that true love exists. She has only found that love is pain and abuse from the one that says they love her. What happens when she finally finds the courage to start life over again? After a two year abusive relationship, she is determined to go cross country, live life without fear, pain and maybe even find love. What will happen on her journey to a new life? She meets different people and they all have different lessons to teach her. This is where she meets him. Will he change her life forever? Does he feel the instant connection she feels? Will she learn the most important lesson of all from him?
Jaz Carter is a musician in search of his dreams. What will happen when she passes him on the road? Will he feel the connection between them? He lives unorthodox, will she follow him? She is learning to just live, is that what she will do with him? Will he help her overcome her fears? She just keeps hearing, “just live” will she do just that? She is a strong character and a fighter, she knows what she wants. Will she find the courage to do what she has set out to do? Will he be the true love she has always dreamed about? Will she just live?
This is my first story by Shaan Ranae and I know it won't be the last. Shaan is happily married with two children. She was raised in Ohio and she brings a little part of that into each story. After reading a popular romance series, she found herself addicted to romance. Her love for writing has grown and so has her writing style. She has created an page turner that will pull you in from page one. This story does contain abusive situations, which hits home for me and maybe for you too. This story will leave you feeling and hoping for all for Kathryn. You will totally lose track of time reading this story and find yourself reading it in one sitting. I highly suggest this story as I know you will want to see what happens when it is just time to start a new life.
jennadb's review against another edition
5.0
Kathryn James has always wanted the fairytale love and happiness that her Granny and Papaw had. But with the life she has she knew that fantasy doesn’t exist, love does not exist. The life Kathryn has is one of pain and abuse, from the one who should love her. Kathryn finally finds the courage, with the help of her best friend Sylvie, to start a new life a life without fear and pain. As she begins her journey she meets different people along the way but one will change her life and her fairytale.
Jasper Carter is a man in search of his dreams. His dream of being a Jazz musician and is on his way to Vegas to fulfill that dream. Along his journey he finds something that will change his life forever and confront a painful part of his past. Something he wants to leave just there, in the past.
Will Kathryn be able to learn to survive and be able to Just Live? Will she be able to overcome her fears? Will she be to find the fantasy and the true love she has always dreamed about? Will she be able to find a family and home to call her own?
Will Jasper find the dream of becoming a Jazz musician and someone to share it with or will it be all taken away from him?
This is an extremely emotional, painful and abusive yet beautiful story of rediscovery and learning to love again not only themselves but others to. The character Kathryn brought out my emotional side. I can guarantee you will want to read this in one sitting.
Jasper Carter is a man in search of his dreams. His dream of being a Jazz musician and is on his way to Vegas to fulfill that dream. Along his journey he finds something that will change his life forever and confront a painful part of his past. Something he wants to leave just there, in the past.
Will Kathryn be able to learn to survive and be able to Just Live? Will she be able to overcome her fears? Will she be to find the fantasy and the true love she has always dreamed about? Will she be able to find a family and home to call her own?
Will Jasper find the dream of becoming a Jazz musician and someone to share it with or will it be all taken away from him?
This is an extremely emotional, painful and abusive yet beautiful story of rediscovery and learning to love again not only themselves but others to. The character Kathryn brought out my emotional side. I can guarantee you will want to read this in one sitting.
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