Reviews

I'll Be Your Blue Sky by Marisa de los Santos

aphennekes's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

3.25

I liked this story overall, but found the twists a bit too rapid fire at the end and hard to fully believe. I also felt that, despite the author’s clear focus on domestic abuse as abhorrent, the MC is far too forgiving of her abuser.

cmrobe06's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow could not put this one down. It’s hard to say it’s my favorite in the series because each of these books was special in their own way but wow, what a wonderful web the author weaves here

aimalicious811's review against another edition

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4.0

I read this whole book before realizing it was the third in a series. It stands alone well. Now I have to read the other two.

kimreadz's review against another edition

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4.0

I chose to read this one because I’d read other books by this author. ([b:Falling Together|10380686|Falling Together|Marisa de los Santos|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327949843l/10380686._SY75_.jpg|15284208] - [b:The Precious One|23215482|The Precious One|Marisa de los Santos|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1414350187l/23215482._SY75_.jpg|26366035]). Oh, and the cover. Isn’t that cover beautiful?! This book was a success! I enjoyed it very much.

The story told in alternating time periods. As the book opens in the 1950s, we meet Edith Herron on her wedding day as her husband Joseph introduces her to their new home. (Pay attention, this is where you will learn the significance of the title). Fast forward to contemporary times when we meet Clare Hobbs as she is about to be married—and having second thoughts about going through with it. Shortly before the wedding she excuses herself to take a walk and meets the elderly Edith. After a very brief conversation Clare calls off her wedding and Edith leaves her house to Clare. Clare goes to see the house and begins exploring, uncovering clues to Edith’s past as she goes. This is how we learn the story of Edith and who she is.

I really enjoyed the Edith story and admired Edith, a strong, loyal woman who cared about others. I didn’t dislike Clare, but her story was not nearly as interesting to me. In many ways, the story ended as I thought it would, but there was also some twists that I didn’t see coming. These really added to my enjoyment of the story. If there was one thing I didn’t enjoy, it was that things were resolved just a little too easily between Clare and her ex-fiance, but it didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the book.

One thing I should point out is that this is the third book in the author’s [b:Love Walked In|115076|Love Walked In (Love Walked In, #1)|Marisa de los Santos|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442893276l/115076._SY75_.jpg|3000860] series. I did not realize this when I picked the book up, but I can say that the book works fine as a stand-alone. I never felt that something was missing or that there was some background detail I needed.

I’ll Be Your Blue Sky was a quick read that I finished in two days, but it could easily have been a ‘one-sitting’ book. This would be a fun selection for a book club that is looking quick, relatively light read that still has plenty of discussion points. Visit the publisher’s website for a reading guide or to read an excerpt.

My Rating: ✰✰✰✰½ 4½ Stars

This book review is included in a tour by TLC Book Tours. I was provided a copy for review purposes.

meeranair_54's review against another edition

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5.0

On the precipice of Clare’s wedding, Edith (a total stranger) helps her realize what a big mistake she is about to make. Gathering all her courage, Clare breaks off her engagement to kind yet temperamental Zach. Weeks of anguish later, she receives a letter that informs her of Edith’s demise and that Edith has bequeathed a vacation home to her – the Blue Sky House. When Clare moves into this scenic property, she finds two ledgers that hint at a bigger picture. In an attempt to understand who Edith was, Clare and her bestfriend, Dev embark on a journey, connecting the dots of Edith’s far and wide imprint on other’s lives; in doing so, Clare discovers more about herself than she’d ever hoped to know.

Now, the synopsis may appear to be ordinary, but PLEASE DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THIS BOOK. It is spellbinding, heartbreaking and basically, a huge warm hug! I am still hungover. The author’s writing style is poetic in bringing out the minute imageries of every scene. You get to read the chapters from Edith and Clare’s perspectives alternatively; which means you are shuffling between two time periods – the 1950s and the present. When you get to the end of the book, this structure will make perfect sense, as everything falls into place magically. Some of the initial chapters from Edith’s perspective were a little too slow paced which deterred me from really getting into her side of the story. But once you cross the first 20-30 pages, you can’t help but be in awe of Edith. The storyline is beautiful; it creates a tidy little package of what it means to be alive, paying tribute to seemingly all human experiences.

Some of the themes explored in this novel are that of mystery, domestic violence, mental health, self-discovery, familial bonds and unconditional love. But as you read I’ll Be Your Blue Sky, you begin to notice just how much more flavor has been infused into it. You’d think that nothing could top off the very plot and her writing style, but hands down, this has some of the best characters I’ve ever read! No fluff or 1 dimensional characters. Each and every person in this book has such a unique vibe. It seriously made me reconsider what kind of characters I have been reading about for so long. Zach, although not one of the main characters, is highly bipolar and affects the story on a different tangent. I truly appreciate how violent and abusive behavior is dealt with throughout this novel. Edith, a female character to look upto, is righteous and so full of love for everyone. She has this knowing persona that convinces you she is more than just-a-normal-lady.

Also, what a complex family unit! Thank you for making me love the idea of large families. I wouldn’t say that this book is heavy on romance, because it goes above and beyond the love between a couple. Especially with regards to Dev and Clare’s equation, I feel like the author has hit home run in conveying something precious and real. Having said all that (I still want to say more), I want you to understand that no review would ever do full justice to what this book presents to its reader. It fills my heart and soul to have immersed in the multi-tiered stories that Marisa de los Santos has penned down. If this book doesn’t win a Goodreads Choice Award in 2018, then I’d be so so disappointed! A MUST READ. Just please pick it up once it releases. Please.

Ratings – 4.5 out of 5 stars.

What do you get out of it? Life. This book breathes life into its audience as it unearths the life stories of several people bound by fate and blood. It stands for everything I love about writing and reading.

Thank you HarperCollins and Edelweiss for giving me access to an e-galley in exchange for a review.

eyreibreathe's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was perfection - a mix between a breath of fresh air and an oversized cozy cardigan.  I love all the literary references and the romance without the raunchiness. The language was poetic and rich, and yet it served to make the storytelling light and airy and captivating, rather than dull or stuffy.  I also loved the feel some of the conversations had - the pace and randomness of the back-and-forth banter reminded me a lot of The Gilmore Girls. This is the perfect book to read while relaxing and soaking up the summer sun.

books_and_breaks's review against another edition

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2.0

Unnecessary twist.

greatgreyowl's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

It pretended to be dealing with serious things without really dealing with them. The ending was too pat and predictable and still unbelievable.

ebkara's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this beautifully written book it is partly a love story, a story about friendship but it is also a mystery and an exploration of a really significant issue. I was compelled by this story and loved the characters of Dev and Clare that I first met in Belong to Me.

briedles's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0