readbylauren's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars! Wow! (Spoilers ahead)
I stayed up till 2:00 AM reading this book. Despite some of the spoilers I read, I knew from the get-go what this book was going to be about. I cried for the last hour of the book and while I understand some reviewers feelings towards the big elephant in the room. I felt that the author handled this topic wonderfully. Like the title, this was not a true love story. I know that in romance novels we expect the HEA with the H always being faithful and true to the h but it was so refreshing to see a relationship and those individuals make mistakes like real people. I don’t condone cheating and trust me, I was shocked and appalled at Ian for what he did and for how long it went on. I wish it was just a one time thing, but sadly it was not. The author has me rooting for him though with his persistence, honesty, and how he never gave up on Sparrow. He truly did love her and despite his reasonings for cheating, I really believe he did deserve a second chance.
I stayed up till 2:00 AM reading this book. Despite some of the spoilers I read, I knew from the get-go what this book was going to be about. I cried for the last hour of the book and while I understand some reviewers feelings towards the big elephant in the room. I felt that the author handled this topic wonderfully. Like the title, this was not a true love story. I know that in romance novels we expect the HEA with the H always being faithful and true to the h but it was so refreshing to see a relationship and those individuals make mistakes like real people. I don’t condone cheating and trust me, I was shocked and appalled at Ian for what he did and for how long it went on. I wish it was just a one time thing, but sadly it was not. The author has me rooting for him though with his persistence, honesty, and how he never gave up on Sparrow. He truly did love her and despite his reasonings for cheating, I really believe he did deserve a second chance.
kingsqueen27's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this book was emotionally draining. There were moments that I loved Ian so much, then despised him. Sparrow and Ian's story is tragic and beautiful, but the ending kind of bothered me. And the constant flash forwards; I would have liked some more details from those times.
_carmen01_'s review against another edition
1.0
I only read this because it was recommended by a book reviewer I absolutely love. But sadly this book was just no it for me. Did not like it. I skimmed 90% of the book because it was just so uninteresting and boring. I had high hopes for this but they went down hill.
tjasap's review against another edition
5.0
I knew I would love this book from the first couple of pages...I liked their relationship..their banter..and it broke my heart no..I will correct myself..he broke my heart...how could he? What was he thinking? If I didn't love my Kindle so much..I would throw it across the room..I was so angry...
And the way she changed after..that is really what happens when somebody breaks your heart..
And although I love happy ever endings..I would change the ending here..because..in reality we all know no woman would forgive this...
And the way she changed after..that is really what happens when somebody breaks your heart..
And although I love happy ever endings..I would change the ending here..because..in reality we all know no woman would forgive this...
lisamh68's review
4.0
Good story but I am not sure how I feel about the out come. I feel like so much wasted time fighting their feelings.. and so long trying to get over their feelings.. Not sure If I wish they both cut ties and moved on with separate lives or come together and live happily ever after. I am torn.
lissherondale's review
5.0
QUE PUEDO DECIR??? ES INCREIBLE. ME HA CONQUISTADO, ENAMORADO, ROTO Y RECOMPUESTO MI CORAZÓN. Me senti increiblemente identificada, me da esperanza pero tambien valor.
La verdad es que una vez yo fui Sparrow, lo que paso es que, él no era mi Ian. Y el destino no estaba de nuestra parte. El cielo tiene algo mejor para mi, algun dia lo encontrare, tal vez en el momento mas inoportuno, pero estara.
Un libro para reir, amar, llorar, olvidar, y creer.
El amor es una fuerza mucho mas fuerte de lo que creemos.
He aqui unas frases de Sparrow (amo a esta chica):
"Todo el mundo va a defraudarte. Es mi tarea cuidar de mi misma. Nadie mas lo va hacer por mi"
"Mi corazón siempre latirá a tu nombre"
La verdad es que una vez yo fui Sparrow, lo que paso es que, él no era mi Ian. Y el destino no estaba de nuestra parte. El cielo tiene algo mejor para mi, algun dia lo encontrare, tal vez en el momento mas inoportuno, pero estara.
Un libro para reir, amar, llorar, olvidar, y creer.
El amor es una fuerza mucho mas fuerte de lo que creemos.
He aqui unas frases de Sparrow (amo a esta chica):
"Todo el mundo va a defraudarte. Es mi tarea cuidar de mi misma. Nadie mas lo va hacer por mi"
"Mi corazón siempre latirá a tu nombre"
mommap1974's review
5.0
Tearjerker
I fell in love with this book. Couldn’t put it down. One of my favorite books hands down! I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a tearjerker.
I fell in love with this book. Couldn’t put it down. One of my favorite books hands down! I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a tearjerker.
syndi3's review
DNF.
I find this book is too dragging. The push and pull is very very annoying. And with the story progressing, the chemistry sizzle out and turns very cold.
I even fell asleep listening to this book.
I find this book is too dragging. The push and pull is very very annoying. And with the story progressing, the chemistry sizzle out and turns very cold.
I even fell asleep listening to this book.
kayla_llbr's review
4.0
*MORE REVIEWS @ www.mybookmuse.com
Wow. I have been itching to read this book since reading the 1st chapter preview at the end of Tarryn Fisher's 'Dirty Red' and I can happily say that TrueLove Story did not disappoint. I loved this book for these reasons
The story starts out present day when Sparrow encounters Ian again for the first time in over a year....
You know there is a good amount of angst to be had when a chick is counting to the day the moment you did her wrong.
Then we are pushed back to Sparrow's past on the day she meets Ian. Sparrow is 18 years old and planning to move from her home in San Jose, California to New York City to attend NYU. At 5'9 and being the daughter of a pastor, Sparrow looks and acts wise beyond her years. She is funny and endearing (loved her inner dialogue) and has a good head on her shoulders. Despite her wonderful relationship with her family, and a boyfriend her parents adore, Sparrow wants more...
Sparrow is the quintessential girl next door. But that all changes the moment she meets Ian....
While Sparrow is the girl next door, Ian Sterling is anything but. Ian is the man your mother warns you about; the ultimate bad boy. Thick dark hair, soulful eyes, wicked mouth, and a musician. Yes ladies, we have hit the hot boy jackpot.
But Sparrow and Ian are not your average couple and this is not your average love story. They face many obstacles along the way: Sparrow's boyfriend, age, distance, temptation, commitment, Ian's hot & cold attitude...
Yes Lizzy Maguire, voice of reason, me and Sparrow agree too!
But the story moves along and we see the evolution of these two individuals together and apart. Their relationship is an all consuming passionate love affair. There were moments where Ian made me melt....
...and just like every passionate all consuming love, well it has to go wrong at some point....
I spent the majority of the time reading with a kleenex in my hand and tears in my eyes. We see what these events lead up to and how both Sparrow and Ian change.
Willow Aster's debut novel is a powerful, intense, and beautiful story about love in all its forms. The good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Willow's writing is a breathe of fresh air in a time where us readers are experiencing a flux in recycled plots and forgettable characters. Her descriptions of love, heartbreak, sorrow and regret were felt long after I put my kindle down. If you want a story that will tug on your heart and stick with you long after the last page is turn, I cannot recommend TrueLove Story enough.
Playlist:
Poison & Wine- The Civil Wars
Favorite Quotes:
4 stars*
Wow. I have been itching to read this book since reading the 1st chapter preview at the end of Tarryn Fisher's 'Dirty Red' and I can happily say that True
- Likeable heroine ✓
- Swoon worthy guy ✓
- Sizzling chemistry ✓
- Realistic situations/plot ✓
- Beautiful writing ✓
- Intense angsty love ✓✓✓
The story starts out present day when Sparrow encounters Ian again for the first time in over a year....
"It has been a year, two months and seventeen days since I last saw him. Two years, ten months, and five days since he broke my heart- well I knew that he had broken my heart. Technically, he began breaking my heart the moment I met him, five years, eleven months, and one day ago."
You know there is a good amount of angst to be had when a chick is counting to the day the moment you did her wrong.
Then we are pushed back to Sparrow's past on the day she meets Ian. Sparrow is 18 years old and planning to move from her home in San Jose, California to New York City to attend NYU. At 5'9 and being the daughter of a pastor, Sparrow looks and acts wise beyond her years. She is funny and endearing (loved her inner dialogue) and has a good head on her shoulders. Despite her wonderful relationship with her family, and a boyfriend her parents adore, Sparrow wants more...
(My version of Sparrow)
Sparrow is the quintessential girl next door. But that all changes the moment she meets Ian....
"He's staring down into me eyes. The way he looks at me, I feel exposed, raw, awake.....I've been looking for you, his eyes are saying.
You've found me now, I'm certain my eyes are responding"
(Ian doesn't wear glasses but this guy is MY version of Ian)
While Sparrow is the girl next door, Ian Sterling is anything but. Ian is the man your mother warns you about; the ultimate bad boy. Thick dark hair, soulful eyes, wicked mouth, and a musician. Yes ladies, we have hit the hot boy jackpot.
But Sparrow and Ian are not your average couple and this is not your average love story. They face many obstacles along the way: Sparrow's boyfriend, age, distance, temptation, commitment, Ian's hot & cold attitude...
Yes Lizzy Maguire, voice of reason, me and Sparrow agree too!
But the story moves along and we see the evolution of these two individuals together and apart. Their relationship is an all consuming passionate love affair. There were moments where Ian made me melt....
"Your mouth, though, that's my favorite. Your lips. Your smile. When you smile, everything fades away."
...and just like every passionate all consuming love, well it has to go wrong at some point....
I spent the majority of the time reading with a kleenex in my hand and tears in my eyes. We see what these events lead up to and how both Sparrow and Ian change.
Willow Aster's debut novel is a powerful, intense, and beautiful story about love in all its forms. The good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Willow's writing is a breathe of fresh air in a time where us readers are experiencing a flux in recycled plots and forgettable characters. Her descriptions of love, heartbreak, sorrow and regret were felt long after I put my kindle down. If you want a story that will tug on your heart and stick with you long after the last page is turn, I cannot recommend True
Playlist:
Poison & Wine- The Civil Wars
Favorite Quotes:
"He reaches over and grabs my hand and laces our fingers together. "You're gonna break my heart, Sparrow Fisher." And I think, not before you break mine."
***
"His eyes fill and for a moment, he doesn't look nineteen. He doesn't look thirty. I see what he will look like at sixty and it torments me."
***
"I cry for the day I ever met him and thought I could handle someone like him. I cry that the girl he met in the restaurant is long gone. And I cry because I don't know what to do with this person that's left."
4 stars*
bgilvaja's review
5.0
I normally do not go out of my way to write reviews for books, but I'm learning that authors really do appreciate it when you take a few minutes out of your life to give them feed back.
So.... let's do this.
First off, I didn't read the excerpt of True Love Story that's located in the back of Dirty Red. I'm glad I didn't either. Dirty Red had me so messed up in the head that I don't think I could have handled another mind fuck of a book to process right afterwards.
Then it comes out and EVERYONE has something to say. Some love it and others are up in arms about the cheating that takes place.
Yes, there is cheating.
I'm an angst whore; I expected it, but some people seem really pissed off over it. I won't get into that but if you can't take the heat get outta the kitchen because shit got real in this book.
Speaking of real (you're going to here this a lot btw)
Sparrow was real to me. I felt like she grew from a small town, sheltered girl into a mature and experienced woman during the story.
I also felt like her life experience was TRUE. Which seemed to be running theme for me through out the book.
Ian.
You bastard.
You beautiful bastard.
I tried to hate him. I really did, but in the end I was pulling for him to win Sparrow back over.
Hear me out before you sic the pitch forks on me.
Did he mess up. YES.
Did it rock me to the core. YES.
Did he really feel regret over his actions and was remorseful. YES.
I can't hold a grudge over that.
It's True Love for a reason. You love that person no matter what their faults are. That doesn't mean you have to be with said person or forgive them, but if you can find it in your heart to do it then more power to you.
I'll admit when I got to THAT part of the book I felt like this
I knew it was going to happen and I had a feeling about one of the 'other women', but man at the time and place it happened it just hit me hard.
I. Wanted. To. Strangle. Him.
Yet again, a fictional character has me giving side eye to my own husband because I wanted to murrrddder Ian and all men for being bastards.
I even had to put the book down for a minute and take a deep breath because even thinking about being in Sparrow's shoes almost set me off into a panic attack. That's how you know when an Author is good. You start living and feeling the things that the main character is going through without even realizing until THAT moment gets you. It fucking hurts haha not going to lie but oh it feels so damn good!
The things that happen after the big revelation is what made me give this book 5 BIG STARS and inspired me to write a review.
Real.
There's that word again but it felt REAL. I could totally see this happening in real life as opposed to some of the other situations I've seen main characters go through.
I felt Ian's remorse and Sparrow's pain. I hated him for a bit and I wanted to scratch out "the other woman's" eyes for Sparrow. (Not going to lie I wanted there to be an epic cat fight. lol Next time beat that bitch's ass!)
Ian's letters to Sparrow threw me off at first, but I think they added some depth and humanity to him. He was messed up. Literally messed up and yeah his actions weren't the best but dude was legitimately sorry and was hurting BAD.
I'm also happy that she didn't take him back right away. It kept me on edge debating if she was going to forgive him up until the final chapter.
The resolution was perfect. Just perfect and even though I didn't say anything about her in this review. Sparrow's bff, Tessa, was the shit! I dream of having a bff like her one day! Her decision to support Sparrow in her choice of what to do with Ian is what makes a TRUE friend. She was an excellent supporting character through out the novel.
As for the epilogue... it was icing on the cake. I felt complete after I finished the book. Which is nice because some times it just sucks being left with a vague cliff hanger. True Love Story is in fact a TRUE Love Story. The characters are flawed, their love is flawed, but in the end it's perfection!
Willow Aster Congratulations on a kick ass first novel! I look forward to reading many more of your books!
So.... let's do this.
First off, I didn't read the excerpt of True Love Story that's located in the back of Dirty Red. I'm glad I didn't either. Dirty Red had me so messed up in the head that I don't think I could have handled another mind fuck of a book to process right afterwards.
Then it comes out and EVERYONE has something to say. Some love it and others are up in arms about the cheating that takes place.
Yes, there is cheating.
I'm an angst whore; I expected it, but some people seem really pissed off over it. I won't get into that but if you can't take the heat get outta the kitchen because shit got real in this book.
Speaking of real (you're going to here this a lot btw)
Sparrow was real to me. I felt like she grew from a small town, sheltered girl into a mature and experienced woman during the story.
I also felt like her life experience was TRUE. Which seemed to be running theme for me through out the book.
Ian.
You bastard.
You beautiful bastard.
I tried to hate him. I really did, but in the end I was pulling for him to win Sparrow back over.
Hear me out before you sic the pitch forks on me.
Did he mess up. YES.
Did it rock me to the core. YES.
Did he really feel regret over his actions and was remorseful. YES.
I can't hold a grudge over that.
It's True Love for a reason. You love that person no matter what their faults are. That doesn't mean you have to be with said person or forgive them, but if you can find it in your heart to do it then more power to you.
I'll admit when I got to THAT part of the book I felt like this
I knew it was going to happen and I had a feeling about one of the 'other women', but man at the time and place it happened it just hit me hard.
I. Wanted. To. Strangle. Him.
Yet again, a fictional character has me giving side eye to my own husband because I wanted to murrrddder Ian and all men for being bastards.
I even had to put the book down for a minute and take a deep breath because even thinking about being in Sparrow's shoes almost set me off into a panic attack. That's how you know when an Author is good. You start living and feeling the things that the main character is going through without even realizing until THAT moment gets you. It fucking hurts haha not going to lie but oh it feels so damn good!
The things that happen after the big revelation is what made me give this book 5 BIG STARS and inspired me to write a review.
Real.
There's that word again but it felt REAL. I could totally see this happening in real life as opposed to some of the other situations I've seen main characters go through.
I felt Ian's remorse and Sparrow's pain. I hated him for a bit and I wanted to scratch out "the other woman's" eyes for Sparrow. (Not going to lie I wanted there to be an epic cat fight. lol Next time beat that bitch's ass!)
Ian's letters to Sparrow threw me off at first, but I think they added some depth and humanity to him. He was messed up. Literally messed up and yeah his actions weren't the best but dude was legitimately sorry and was hurting BAD.
I'm also happy that she didn't take him back right away. It kept me on edge debating if she was going to forgive him up until the final chapter.
The resolution was perfect. Just perfect and even though I didn't say anything about her in this review. Sparrow's bff, Tessa, was the shit! I dream of having a bff like her one day! Her decision to support Sparrow in her choice of what to do with Ian is what makes a TRUE friend. She was an excellent supporting character through out the novel.
As for the epilogue... it was icing on the cake. I felt complete after I finished the book. Which is nice because some times it just sucks being left with a vague cliff hanger. True Love Story is in fact a TRUE Love Story. The characters are flawed, their love is flawed, but in the end it's perfection!
Willow Aster Congratulations on a kick ass first novel! I look forward to reading many more of your books!