A review by kailiasage
Unbreak My Heart by Melissa C. Walker
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.