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mandysspicyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
4.5/5 ⭐️
The angst, emotion, and turmoil was so palpable in this book! But so was the longing, love, and devotion. From the start John had the “mine” mentality when it came to Alyssa. And boy did Alyssa have some walls and boundaries! This is a rewrite from Lucia and she did not disappoint and did this book justice!
kellyyoungbl's review
4.0
Difficult but fulfilling read
This was definitely a tough book to get through. Lots of tough subjects. I really was not a huge fan of Alyssa. She was far too stubborn. But this was a beautifully written book, even with the writing errors.
This was definitely a tough book to get through. Lots of tough subjects. I really was not a huge fan of Alyssa. She was far too stubborn. But this was a beautifully written book, even with the writing errors.
thebooktrollop's review
3.0
I liked this book but I didn't love it. It was a little overdramatic and full of angst but it did have some sweet parts, even though they were overshadowed by all the drama in the book. I was sad for Alyssa because of everything that happened but I felt disconnected with her, and John was very hot and cold; I didn't really care for him much.
If someone LOVES the drama and being taken on a crazy journey with many lows and very little highs, this is the book for you. It is not dark, per say, but it definitely not roses and daisies on a beach in Cancun.
If someone LOVES the drama and being taken on a crazy journey with many lows and very little highs, this is the book for you. It is not dark, per say, but it definitely not roses and daisies on a beach in Cancun.
jaimejustreadsromance's review
3.0
I enjoyed this story and sort of fell in love with John right off the bat but at some point this began to feel like it was two different stories. I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around it. I really liked the Johnny and Alyssa of the first half of the book but when tragedy struck everything changed for them.
The Johnny and Alyssa of the second half sort of left me with whiplash. Somehow everything that went wrong was put on Alyssa, even though I'd have to say that I thought things went wrong when Johnny made some dumb decisions and remarks. Though the things that Alyssa did going into the second half only made the situation exponentially worse. I didn't like the direction that the book took after that.
I realize that this stumbling block was the point of the story and might have been necessary for the characters growth but it just didn't sit well with me. I hate that Alyssa had to go through what she did and that her and John were forever changed because of it.
I think that this story will go over very well with readers and the writing was good, but it just didn't hit the mark for me at this time.
*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
The Johnny and Alyssa of the second half sort of left me with whiplash. Somehow everything that went wrong was put on Alyssa, even though I'd have to say that I thought things went wrong when Johnny made some dumb decisions and remarks. Though the things that Alyssa did going into the second half only made the situation exponentially worse. I didn't like the direction that the book took after that.
I realize that this stumbling block was the point of the story and might have been necessary for the characters growth but it just didn't sit well with me. I hate that Alyssa had to go through what she did and that her and John were forever changed because of it.
I think that this story will go over very well with readers and the writing was good, but it just didn't hit the mark for me at this time.
*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
jill_mac's review against another edition
5.0
I had to give myself a little over a week to process this book. Goodness, I’m still not positive my review will really do justice to how much I loved this book.
Alyssa has to be one of my favorite heroines. Like if I could ever bring a character to life to be her best friend, Alyssa is my pick! She spoke her mind without a worry of the consequences. Which is honestly my favorite thing, probably because I’m the same way. Because of moving around so much she was super skeptical about getting close to anyone when she first arrived in South Fork. Alyssa quickly became friends with John, Jace, and Ford.
Gosh I fell hard for these 3 boys. Like really really hard. Of course I had no idea going into the story what would come of it. I totally thought it was going to be a cutesy summer romance, god do I love those. Honestly I don’t think anything could have prepared me for what actually happened in this book. Like one second I’m laughing at the banter between Alyssa and the boys, and the next thing I know I’m crying so hard I can seriously feel my heart ripping apart. Yes, this book RIPPED MY HEART APART. Totally shredded it to pieces. And I never expected it.
Alyssa and John’s relationship is something I don’t think I could ever forget. It was so raw, so real. Almost too real. The situations they are faced with are just, god I couldn’t even imagine. There were times I wanted to punch Johnny and tell him to wake the hell up. Then there were times I wanted to slap Alyssa and tell her to open her freaking eyes. But when it was all said and done, I understood their feelings. I understood why they each did what they did.
I honestly couldn’t tell you who I felt worse for. Both John and Alyssa were put through things that I wouldn’t ever, couldn’t ever imagine happening or going through. I wanted to jump in this book and just comfort the both of them, for extremely different reasons.
There were many points in this book where I wanted to message the author and tell her how horrible she is for doing this to them. For making me witness this type of pain. I can’t even explain how torn I was while reading. Lucia has a way with words. I was hooked from start to finish. This story is not what it seems. It is SO MUCH MORE.
Hold On to Me is the story of love, loss, and finding love all over again. It’s one of those things where you think it can’t possibly get worse, like there’s no way, then BAM. Hold On to Me is easily one of my favorite reads of 2015. I felt every emotion Lucia poured into her words, and I loved every second of it.
Trust me when I say this review doesn’t even do this book justice. It’s a special book that I feel everyone needs to read. It was so good. I can’t stop saying how good it was. Like really really good… Please do yourselves a favor and read this book ASAP... I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Lucia, you did it again. You made me fall hard for another book. Thank you for John and Alyssa’s book. Words can’t even explain how much I loved this story!
<3 JMAC
Alyssa has to be one of my favorite heroines. Like if I could ever bring a character to life to be her best friend, Alyssa is my pick! She spoke her mind without a worry of the consequences. Which is honestly my favorite thing, probably because I’m the same way. Because of moving around so much she was super skeptical about getting close to anyone when she first arrived in South Fork. Alyssa quickly became friends with John, Jace, and Ford.
Gosh I fell hard for these 3 boys. Like really really hard. Of course I had no idea going into the story what would come of it. I totally thought it was going to be a cutesy summer romance, god do I love those. Honestly I don’t think anything could have prepared me for what actually happened in this book. Like one second I’m laughing at the banter between Alyssa and the boys, and the next thing I know I’m crying so hard I can seriously feel my heart ripping apart. Yes, this book RIPPED MY HEART APART. Totally shredded it to pieces. And I never expected it.
Alyssa and John’s relationship is something I don’t think I could ever forget. It was so raw, so real. Almost too real. The situations they are faced with are just, god I couldn’t even imagine. There were times I wanted to punch Johnny and tell him to wake the hell up. Then there were times I wanted to slap Alyssa and tell her to open her freaking eyes. But when it was all said and done, I understood their feelings. I understood why they each did what they did.
I honestly couldn’t tell you who I felt worse for. Both John and Alyssa were put through things that I wouldn’t ever, couldn’t ever imagine happening or going through. I wanted to jump in this book and just comfort the both of them, for extremely different reasons.
There were many points in this book where I wanted to message the author and tell her how horrible she is for doing this to them. For making me witness this type of pain. I can’t even explain how torn I was while reading. Lucia has a way with words. I was hooked from start to finish. This story is not what it seems. It is SO MUCH MORE.
Hold On to Me is the story of love, loss, and finding love all over again. It’s one of those things where you think it can’t possibly get worse, like there’s no way, then BAM. Hold On to Me is easily one of my favorite reads of 2015. I felt every emotion Lucia poured into her words, and I loved every second of it.
Trust me when I say this review doesn’t even do this book justice. It’s a special book that I feel everyone needs to read. It was so good. I can’t stop saying how good it was. Like really really good… Please do yourselves a favor and read this book ASAP... I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Lucia, you did it again. You made me fall hard for another book. Thank you for John and Alyssa’s book. Words can’t even explain how much I loved this story!
<3 JMAC
zoeybear7's review
5.0
I received this book for an honest review!
I absolutely loved this book! I laughed, I cried, all that fun emotional stuff! I needed tissues and I highly recommend this book to any and everyone!! I felt on the edge I couldn't wait to read more and find out what was happening next!!
I absolutely loved this book! I laughed, I cried, all that fun emotional stuff! I needed tissues and I highly recommend this book to any and everyone!! I felt on the edge I couldn't wait to read more and find out what was happening next!!
fromthelifeofmeg's review
4.0
Lord have mercy. Brace yourself for this one. Chapters 1-10, I was smiling like a school girl the whole time. Chapter 11 hits and your world gets ROCKED and from there my emotions were all over the place. Lucia has a serious gift of making you FEEL what the characters feel. I had so much anxiety, stress, tears. For some this may not be what you’re looking for in a book. I, personally, LOVE when I am able to connect on that level with characters that I can feel their anguish and struggles. Alyssa’s struggles were roughhhh and I understand WHY she has so back and forth with John for a good % of the book but it was also VERY hard to deal with. Because the book is in 3rd person, you clearly see John’s motives, emotions and rationale for his actions. I found myself having to remind myself to be more sympathetic for Alyssa because she obviously didn't know what we are the readers know. I loved the book, would recommend. Just be prepared for the emotional whiplash lol. Great book & super well done.
kodom251999's review
5.0
I loved this story! I needed a deep southern rooted Georgia boy to feel that special thing again! I love Franco’s books! This one really got me!
amberbehnke2013's review
3.0
Good
I really liked the story. Worth a read. Was a little long for me but that is just my opinion.
I really liked the story. Worth a read. Was a little long for me but that is just my opinion.
alexabyers's review against another edition
5.0
Johnny and Alyssa - friends to lovers, accidental pregnancy, TW: rape. very emotional read. Feels like I was in tears every chapter after 11
Alyssa lives with her single mother who keeps moving her from town to town. This time they move from California to Georgia where she meets John, Jace, and eventually Ford (three best friends). They are determined to show her how to have fun and let loose. Along they way, John and Alyssa become more than friends, entering the friends with benefits zone. One night after college semester ended, there was a party which led to an accident that didn’t end so well. John and Alyssa were pretty shaken afterwards, as witnessing the accident, and should have leaned on each other, but instead John was pushing her away. Alyssa didn’t have anyone else to turn to and Ben from work consoled her and made her have fun agin. John on the other hand just up and left, going to boot camp without telling anyone other than his family. After boot camp graduation, he comes home for a while between training and sees a pregnant Alyssa getting mail at none other than Bens house.
Alyssa lives with her single mother who keeps moving her from town to town. This time they move from California to Georgia where she meets John, Jace, and eventually Ford (three best friends). They are determined to show her how to have fun and let loose. Along they way, John and Alyssa become more than friends, entering the friends with benefits zone. One night after college semester ended, there was a party which led to an accident that didn’t end so well. John and Alyssa were pretty shaken afterwards, as witnessing the accident, and should have leaned on each other, but instead John was pushing her away. Alyssa didn’t have anyone else to turn to and Ben from work consoled her and made her have fun agin. John on the other hand just up and left, going to boot camp without telling anyone other than his family. After boot camp graduation, he comes home for a while between training and sees a pregnant Alyssa getting mail at none other than Bens house.