NEVER SAW YOU COMING

 

By: Erin Hahn

Genre: Y/A Contemporary Fiction

Year: 2021.

Rate: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A little about the book:

“Raised by conservative parents, 18-year-old Meg Hennessey just found out her entire childhood was a lie. Instead of taking a gap year before college to find herself, she ends up traveling north to meet what’s left of the family she never knew existed.

While there, she meets Micah Allen, a former pastor’s kid whose dad ended up in prison, leaving Micah with his own complicated relationship with the church. The clock is ticking on Pastor Allen’s probation hearing and Micah, now 19, feels the pressure to forgive - even when he can’t possibly forget.

As Meg and Micah grow closer, they are confronted with the heavy flutterings of first love and all the complications it brings. Together, they must navigate the sometimes-painful process of cutting ties with childhood beliefs as they build toward something truer and straight from the heart.”

 “It’s a little like we are helping each other become who we are meant to be. No fixing each other, but pushing each other.”

 My review:

I’m a religious person. Also, I live my idea of religion in my own way, with my personal feelings, and I don’t argue with people about this topic, therefore when somebody starts a discussion, I just walk away. Because of that I almost walk away from this book, but something stops me from doing it, and I have to say my heart hasn’t been as completely full of and story, as it is with Never Saw You Coming.

Marvelous written, in this book, the author delivers a story not about religions or church, nor what is right or wrong, what is acceptable by society or not. It’s not about forgiveness or redemption, but about faith, belief and keeping true to yourself.

Meg and Micah have a complicated relationship with God and their own families, they have their own burden and “garbage,” however the important part is how they use their faith to find themselves.

Every character is fantastic, each of them plays an important role in the story and I think the author does a great job to present every perspective of these characters about the main topic of the story which makes this book richer.

I like that the author doesn’t go for the ‘black and white idea’ she uses more like every situation, every person has their own color. I totally enjoyed that each character speaks their mind as it would happen in real life, and the complexity of families’ dynamic, because let me tell you something, teens and young people aren’t the only with mixing feeling and broken hearts, adults can be pretty much mess up too.

And my final thought is: We really need Duke’s book. You’ll agree when you read it. 😊

100% recommended.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. And I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 Note: Image was taken from goodreads.com

ANNOUNCING TROUBLE

Author: Amy Fellner Dominy

Year:  2019.

Genre: Y/A contemporary romance

Rate: 5 Stars.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

“That’s the trick. Forward movement. You can’t take a next step until you take the first one.”

 “I may know everything there is to know about baseball, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Or like him. Garrett Reeves: sidelined player and the embodiment of everything I’ve learned to hate about baseball. He’s gorgeous, he’s cocky, he’s laser-focused on getting back in the game, no matter the cost.

When he convinces me to call games alongside him, our chemistry heats up the booth. We’re good together, whether I want to admit it or not. I’m finding that I like baseball again, but even worse, I’m liking Garrett. A lot.

But when he has to decide between our future and a new shot at his dreams, I know baseball will win out every time.”

This is a perfect example that we can’t judge a book by the cover. I mean, there is nothing really wrong with this one, but I have to admit sometimes a pick a book because a cover is better and prettier than this. However, this time it was more like a feeling. And thanks to God I was right.

Let’s start with the basics’ things I like in a good story: In this one, there is a great narrative, no repetitions, the story flows well, and descriptions are excellent. So far so good, right? well, it gets better. The plot is amazing, I love the concept. It seems a story about romance and healing but it’s more, much more. The story is about the future, what can we call dreams and what is real? Can we have both? Are dreams fair to us?

The tension in the story is excellent, I love that there is not intrigue, not lies, not misunderstandings. Instead, the conflict belongs to characters, their personalities and their need to grow up. I particularly enjoy Josie, she is a unique character, witty, smart, sweet, and I love how she finds the path to discover herself. Honestly, she makes me believe in strong heroin again.

Also, I loved Josie and Garret’s interaction, I don’t know how many times I burst into laughter or tears. Reading their dialogues felt magical. But not just with them, all the characters are great, every single one is well done portrayed, even the ones that are just mentioned.

And finally, I’m so grateful to the author for finding a way to explain baseball and makes it interesting and funny and not overwhelming with at all.

 I was craving a book that makes me happy, which make me believe in good stories and that leaves a smile on my face even days after reading. Announcing Trouble did that.

“A game where a bunch of guys spends their lives trying to get home. I press closer to Garret and smile. It Makes sense now that I’ve found mine.”

 

Note: Picture is taken from goodreads.com

CON SABOR A HOGAR

A la edad de ocho años solía sentarme en la mesa del comedor y observar con admiración, en silencio y sin tocar, pues esa era la regla, como mi abuela le daba vida a los mejores platos de comida. Recetas que sólo estaban en su cabeza, pero luego de años de tan sólo mirar, las aprendí de memoria, el gran problema es que no heredé su arte culinario o su entusiasmo por cocinar.

La torta de chocolate era mi favorita, cada diciembre esperaba con ansias el momento de su elaboración. La mejor parte eran cuando por fin podía tener las sobras del arequipe y pudín, para luego untarlas al bizcocho, aquél que mi abuela nunca confesó cocinar especialmente para sus nietos, pues ella no era una consentidora.

Todos en la familia tenían sus preferencias, no sólo yo, y mi abuela en su estilo muy aguerrido trataba de complacer todos los gustos, pero es que hasta el café preparado por ella tenía un sabor único.

El pasado mes de diciembre tuve la oportunidad de celebrar el año nuevo con un pedacito de mi familia, y gracias a mi talentosa prima, quién sí heredó el arte culinario de mi abuela, puede probar nuevamente la mágica torta de chocolate, su sabor me llenó de melancolía, era como estar de regreso en casa.

Dicen por allí que el hogar no es un lugar, sino donde el corazón se encuentre. En los cinco años que llevo lejos de la tierra que me vio crecer, la pregunta constante entre mis conocidos y amigos es acerca de lo que más extraño. La comida? EL trabajo? La cultura? Las fiestas o el compartir?

Mi respuesta es siempre la misma, aquello que más extraño es a mi gente, pues los sabores, aromas, memorias, y mi corazón estarán por siempre dondequiera que ellos se encuentren.