anabelsbrother's review
4.0
What I get from this book is that forgiving yourself for screwing up is the most important. You can seek forgiveness from other people but only by forgiving yourself that you will get inner peace.
Wow, can I be any more cliched?
Great story about family, love and friendship.
ETA: One of my favorite bit:
I freakin' adore this whole family.
Wow, can I be any more cliched?
Great story about family, love and friendship.
ETA: One of my favorite bit:
“I’m not sure I know who I am,” I say. Because it’s true. How can I have any idea who I am? All I have to go on are my past actions, and this thing that I did last year, it was terrible, even though it’s so hard to put my finger on.
“Want me to tell you?” asks Olive.
I look up at her, and I guess something in my eyes says yes, so she goes ahead.
“You are the big sister who braids me,” she says. I glance at her near dreads.
“I’m about to become the big sister who forcibly washes your hair,” I say.
She reaches up and touches her matted curls protectively.
“You can drive stick exceptionally well,” says Dad.
“You think so?” I ask.
“Without question,” he says.
“You love to read in the sun, just for fun,” says Mom.
I smile at her, though I’m about to get cheesy chills from the self-help session I feel starting up.
“You can tie the perfect knot for any given situation,” says Olive.
“You record your life in that journal,” says Mom. “You may write a book one day, if you want to.”
I raise my eyebrows. Mom the English major doesn’t give that kind of compliment lightly.
“You do the best Little Mermaid jumps,” says Olive.
“You listen to music that really means something to you,” says Dad.
I feel my stomach unclench a little bit. I let my shoulders relax. I think about the song that James gave me, “Clementine.” I take a deep breath.
“Are we making you cry yet?” asks Olive. Then she starts to giggle, and I reach over and squeeze her tight.
I freakin' adore this whole family.
kailiasage's review
4.0
I guess I should disclose that I don't like reading books about cheating. I see it enough in high school and I don't want to have to worry about it when I'm reading a book but Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker was an exception. This one told the cheaters side of the story and I'm the person who likes to get everyone side of the story. I wasn't sure of what I was going to get but Unbreak My Heart turned out to be a beautifully emotional, yet light story about forgiveness and moving on. I will say, I would NEVER spend an entire summer on a boat. I have an EXTREME case of Aquaphobia.
Let's start with the plot okay? Clem "hooked up" with her best friend's boyfriend and she's been shunned by her friends. She's now going on a boat with her family for the entire summer. She's still very sad about everything that happened and through flashback chapters, the reader is able to see how all the events happened. So. She fell for her bff's boyfriend WHICH IS WRONG....but things get worse when her bff shuns Clem BUT SHE TAKES HER BOYFRIEND BACK. Sadly, I've seen this happen quiet often and I felt so bad for Clem. Yeah, she did something crappy but it take two to tango, ya know? Why did the guy get it off easy? The plot does focus on Clem's feelings and her overall need to forgive, but there is a need of realization. What exactly happen over that year? Her bff was able to forgive the boyfriend but not Clem...why?
I honestly think Clem's family needs a paragraph of their own. I LOVED HER FAMILY. Her dad, her mom and OMG y'all her little sister Olive? Olive=Best Little Sister Ever. She pretty much stole all the scenes she was in and I had to grin when she was around. Her family though, loved and cared for Clem no matter what. They made sure Clem didn't beat herself too much over what happened and were able to help her move on. I loved that this story wasn't just about Clem. Her family was IN THE STORY, in her life, you know? They were just wonderful. I wouldn't mind spending the entire summer on a boat with them.
James aka Red such a great love interest for Clem. They started out as friends and became something more and I loved their progression from friends to something more. He's a totally sweet guy who has red hair and draws, which is not very prevalent in YA today. He doesn't know about Clem's past year but is able to show her that when things seem to be going horribly wrong, there is always something that can go extremely right. James turned out to be one of the most realistic love interests I've read about in a while. Guys like him are the types of guys I wish there were more in the world. And something else: he loves his dad. He hangs out with him and actually says it out loud and most boys these days aren't like that. So in my book, James was a perfectly swoon worthy guy because he was perfectly flawed...and real.
Overall, I loved Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker. It dealt with a touchy topic but Melissa Walker was able to make it understandable and light. While there were times when I wished Clem didn't do what she did, I felt bad for her. Melissa Walker has a great, dynamic cast of characters, a perfect setting, and a plot that really does make you think.
Let's start with the plot okay? Clem "hooked up" with her best friend's boyfriend and she's been shunned by her friends. She's now going on a boat with her family for the entire summer. She's still very sad about everything that happened and through flashback chapters, the reader is able to see how all the events happened. So. She fell for her bff's boyfriend WHICH IS WRONG....but things get worse when her bff shuns Clem BUT SHE TAKES HER BOYFRIEND BACK. Sadly, I've seen this happen quiet often and I felt so bad for Clem. Yeah, she did something crappy but it take two to tango, ya know? Why did the guy get it off easy? The plot does focus on Clem's feelings and her overall need to forgive, but there is a need of realization. What exactly happen over that year? Her bff was able to forgive the boyfriend but not Clem...why?
I honestly think Clem's family needs a paragraph of their own. I LOVED HER FAMILY. Her dad, her mom and OMG y'all her little sister Olive? Olive=Best Little Sister Ever. She pretty much stole all the scenes she was in and I had to grin when she was around. Her family though, loved and cared for Clem no matter what. They made sure Clem didn't beat herself too much over what happened and were able to help her move on. I loved that this story wasn't just about Clem. Her family was IN THE STORY, in her life, you know? They were just wonderful. I wouldn't mind spending the entire summer on a boat with them.
James aka Red such a great love interest for Clem. They started out as friends and became something more and I loved their progression from friends to something more. He's a totally sweet guy who has red hair and draws, which is not very prevalent in YA today. He doesn't know about Clem's past year but is able to show her that when things seem to be going horribly wrong, there is always something that can go extremely right. James turned out to be one of the most realistic love interests I've read about in a while. Guys like him are the types of guys I wish there were more in the world. And something else: he loves his dad. He hangs out with him and actually says it out loud and most boys these days aren't like that. So in my book, James was a perfectly swoon worthy guy because he was perfectly flawed...and real.
Overall, I loved Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker. It dealt with a touchy topic but Melissa Walker was able to make it understandable and light. While there were times when I wished Clem didn't do what she did, I felt bad for her. Melissa Walker has a great, dynamic cast of characters, a perfect setting, and a plot that really does make you think.
piepieb's review
4.0
A really cute summer read! I loved Clementine, how she liked to journal, and how she finally became honest with what had happened in her past among her friends. I would enjoy reading more about her and James, and would definitely enjoy seeing this as a movie :)
loveleareads's review
4.0
I really enjoyed Unbreak My Heart. It was a perfect story of healing and romance and is a great beach read.
At the beginning this novel, I thought that Clem was going to be really whiny and bothersome. But she wasn't. She was hurt and I could see why. When she sets sail with her family she just wants to figure everything out. As the book went on I felt that she did and grew a lot.
I liked Clem, but I also liked a lot of the other characters, too. Clem's friends Aaron and Henry (as seen in the flash backs) were really funny. Clem's sister was also really cute and a great addiction. And James. He was just awesome.
Even though this is a book about healing and is a mostly solemn read, it had it's fun moments, too. There were times that I just couldn't help but smile. There were also some pretty uplifting moments, as well.
I loved the setting of the boat. Walker did an excellent job describing this. I felt that I was there and I would really like to experience it myself.
I do wish that the ending was a little more concluded. I felt that it ended pretty fast (it's a really short read) and there were some loose ends that I wish were tied up.
Overall, Unbreak My Heart is a really cute read. It's a serious story of healing, but there are some lighter moments, too.
At the beginning this novel, I thought that Clem was going to be really whiny and bothersome. But she wasn't. She was hurt and I could see why. When she sets sail with her family she just wants to figure everything out. As the book went on I felt that she did and grew a lot.
I liked Clem, but I also liked a lot of the other characters, too. Clem's friends Aaron and Henry (as seen in the flash backs) were really funny. Clem's sister was also really cute and a great addiction. And James. He was just awesome.
Even though this is a book about healing and is a mostly solemn read, it had it's fun moments, too. There were times that I just couldn't help but smile. There were also some pretty uplifting moments, as well.
I loved the setting of the boat. Walker did an excellent job describing this. I felt that I was there and I would really like to experience it myself.
I do wish that the ending was a little more concluded. I felt that it ended pretty fast (it's a really short read) and there were some loose ends that I wish were tied up.
Overall, Unbreak My Heart is a really cute read. It's a serious story of healing, but there are some lighter moments, too.
talknerdybookblog's review
5.0
Clementine hates herself. How could she have done that to her BEST friend? Who knows what she was thinking, but in actuality … nothing THAT bad happened, well in my perspective at least. The worst thing is she forgave HIM and not her. After having a huge fall out with her best friend, Clementine has never been the same. She used to be insanely positive and upbeat but she can't seem to find herself out of the dark. But when she leaves for her voyage sailing with her family, she runs into a boy. A boy named James, who doesn't know about Clementines past, about her mistakes or the heartache she caused. But can Clementine really leave everything behind and finally forgive herself?
Short, sweet and romantic <3
Short, sweet and romantic <3
marthaives's review
4.0
Cuteeee. Loved the sister relationship and could relate to the emotions of the main character. However, would have loved to have known what happened after the story finished, as there were unanswered questions. I didn't really feel a strong connection with James either. But I loved the family interaction.
everydayreading's review
3.0
Cute and better than I expected. Also, I now really really want to take a summer boating trip with my kids someday.
daisy87's review
5.0
So you guys, books dealing with subjects like cheating and having the actual main character cheat with someone always makes me a bit hesitant. Because there are things that are sure to get my hackles up and one of them is cheating.
I loved that someone in the book mentioned he had an issue with cheating and Clem said 'a lot of people do'. It's true, I get all ragey and seriously had my night ruined a couple of weeks ago when someone I was with that night told everyone she wanted to seduce a guy who had a girlfriend and daughter. I was SO pissed.
So yeah, the possibility of me being very much pissed of at the main character made me a bit wary of Unbreak My Heart. But I'd been hearing really good things about it everywhere and even from people who have similar thought on the subject of cheating that I felt ok going in.
And you guys, I shouldn't have worried so much, cause the book is just wonderful!! I mean, sure I got annoyed with Clem at times when she related everything that happened with her and her best friend's boyfriend, but she felt so bad about it and she knew she had done a really bad thing that I didn't have a red haze cloud over my vision. Clem is a good person who did an awful thing. And I loved that slowly over the course of the summer she started realising just where what it was that was so wrong about what she did and why her best friend wouldn't speak to her anymore. Her slowly getting to this conclusion and realising the reason she was so sad showed such character growth! It was amazing!
Also, I loved the dynamics in Clem's family! They were trying to give her space, but were also ready to support her when she needed it. It was just such a warm, loving family and sometimes I think we don't get enough of that in YA novels, so it made me appreciate it even more. I really loved Olive, Clem's little sister, she was so cute!
And you guys, I just absolutely loved James, the boy who helps unbreak Clem's heart. I loved his happy personality and just that he was such a good guy. And he and Clem had great chemistry, I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading about them together.
But what I most loved is that although James helps unbreak Clem's heart, she mostly does this herself, with help from her family. She realises that the breaking of her heart wasn't just about the boy and so it's not up to a boy to fix it.
This was such a wonderful summer read! It would be perfect for those nice days sitting by the pool or in your backyard, just relaxing and getting lost in this story, cause believe me, you will get sucked in by the writing, it's SO good! I am definitely going to check out more books by Melissa C. Walker!
My rating: 5 stars
I loved that someone in the book mentioned he had an issue with cheating and Clem said 'a lot of people do'. It's true, I get all ragey and seriously had my night ruined a couple of weeks ago when someone I was with that night told everyone she wanted to seduce a guy who had a girlfriend and daughter. I was SO pissed.
So yeah, the possibility of me being very much pissed of at the main character made me a bit wary of Unbreak My Heart. But I'd been hearing really good things about it everywhere and even from people who have similar thought on the subject of cheating that I felt ok going in.
And you guys, I shouldn't have worried so much, cause the book is just wonderful!! I mean, sure I got annoyed with Clem at times when she related everything that happened with her and her best friend's boyfriend, but she felt so bad about it and she knew she had done a really bad thing that I didn't have a red haze cloud over my vision. Clem is a good person who did an awful thing. And I loved that slowly over the course of the summer she started realising just where what it was that was so wrong about what she did and why her best friend wouldn't speak to her anymore. Her slowly getting to this conclusion and realising the reason she was so sad showed such character growth! It was amazing!
Also, I loved the dynamics in Clem's family! They were trying to give her space, but were also ready to support her when she needed it. It was just such a warm, loving family and sometimes I think we don't get enough of that in YA novels, so it made me appreciate it even more. I really loved Olive, Clem's little sister, she was so cute!
And you guys, I just absolutely loved James, the boy who helps unbreak Clem's heart. I loved his happy personality and just that he was such a good guy. And he and Clem had great chemistry, I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading about them together.
But what I most loved is that although James helps unbreak Clem's heart, she mostly does this herself, with help from her family. She realises that the breaking of her heart wasn't just about the boy and so it's not up to a boy to fix it.
This was such a wonderful summer read! It would be perfect for those nice days sitting by the pool or in your backyard, just relaxing and getting lost in this story, cause believe me, you will get sucked in by the writing, it's SO good! I am definitely going to check out more books by Melissa C. Walker!
My rating: 5 stars
ermykneeandwheezy's review
3.0
To be honest, I didn't have high expectations for this book. I'm not entirely sure why, maybe it was because I found the title somewhat cheesy, but I really wasn't expecting too much from this story. I figured it would just be a light, fluffy love story. And I guess it was, but it wasn't as simple as I anticipated it being and it was certainly more enjoyable than I had thought it was going to be!
I think what really made me enjoy this book was the characters. All of them had flaws, but at the same time I just loved each and everyone one of them. I love how Olive was written realistically as an annoying little sister, but that she was also so full of wisdom and understanding. James' character was so easy to enjoy simply because I felt I could relate to him in his quest for happiness. And Clementine...it was so refreshing to hear this kind of story from the other person's point of view! I was getting kind of annoyed reading stories about people who were betrayed and it was nice to read from the point of view of someone who did the betraying. Clementine's character is obviously flawed, but I feel like her emotions, her regret and most of all, her passion and sincerity are what made me truly enjoy her.
The love story aspect of this novel was fantastic - light and easy, but I didn't find it to be fluffy and cheesy. The story wasn't predictable and full of clichés either. All in all, I found this book to be very refreshing and enjoyable!
I think what really made me enjoy this book was the characters. All of them had flaws, but at the same time I just loved each and everyone one of them. I love how Olive was written realistically as an annoying little sister, but that she was also so full of wisdom and understanding. James' character was so easy to enjoy simply because I felt I could relate to him in his quest for happiness. And Clementine...it was so refreshing to hear this kind of story from the other person's point of view! I was getting kind of annoyed reading stories about people who were betrayed and it was nice to read from the point of view of someone who did the betraying. Clementine's character is obviously flawed, but I feel like her emotions, her regret and most of all, her passion and sincerity are what made me truly enjoy her.
The love story aspect of this novel was fantastic - light and easy, but I didn't find it to be fluffy and cheesy. The story wasn't predictable and full of clichés either. All in all, I found this book to be very refreshing and enjoyable!