My Thoughts: Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer

Forging Silver into Stars
(Forging Silver into Stars #1)
by Brigid Kemmerer

Publication Date: June 7th 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Pages: 520
ISBN: 9781547609123
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy
Source: Review Copy / Own

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Magic has been banished in the land of Syhl Shallow for as long as best friends Jax and Callyn can remember. They once loved the stories of the powerful magesmiths and mythical scravers who could conjure fire or control ice, but now they’ve learned that magic only leads to danger: magic is what killed Callyn’s parents, leaving her alone to raise her younger sister. Magic never helped Jax, whose leg was crushed in an accident that his father has been punishing him for ever since. Magic won’t save either of them when the tax collector comes calling, threatening to take their homes if they can't pay what they owe.

Meanwhile, Jax and Callyn are astonished to learn magic has returned to Syhl Shallow -- in the form of a magesmith who's now married to their queen. Now, the people of Syhl Shallow are expected to allow dangerous magic in their midst, and no one is happy about it.

When a stranger rides into town offering Jax and Callyn silver in exchange for holding secret messages for an anti-magic faction, the choice is obvious -- even if it means they may be aiding in a plot to destroy their new king. It’s a risk they’re both willing to take. That is, until another visitor arrives: handsome Lord Tycho, the King’s Courier, the man who’s been tasked with discovering who’s conspiring against the throne.

Suddenly, Jax and Callyn find themselves embroiled in a world of shifting alliances, dangerous flirtations, and ancient magic... where even the deepest loyalties will be tested. (Goodreads)

Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer is definitely one of my most anticipated reads for 2022! I absolutely loved the Cursebreakers series, and A Curse So Dark and Lonely just happens to be one of my most favorite retellings as well. I was so excited to dive back into this world! And it definitely did not disappoint.

This brand new book is a spin-off of the Cursebreakers series. While the first series followed Harper, Ren, Gray and Lia Mara, this book is set around Tycho, (now Lord Tycho), and a lot of new characters as well! (Don’t worry, we still get to spend time with all our favorites from the previous books as well!) The story is told from three different viewpoints; Tycho, and new characters Jax and Callyn. I love when books have multiple viewpoints! It feels like we get SO much more of the story this way.

And speaking of the story, I really enjoyed the storyline as well. It picks up a few years after the ending of the Cursebreakers series, and it felt both familiar, but completely new as well. I was definitely hooked. I flew through the pages so much faster than I expected to, and it’s been a long time since that has happened. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to focus on a fantasy book for a while, but this one did it for me. Seriously … This book was such a delight.

Overall; I very, very much enjoyed Forging Silver into Stars! I didn’t expect it to be so comforting to go back to this world that I love so much. I definitely can’t wait to read more of the series, and I definitely plan to reread all the books again before the next book is released.  If you’re a fan of the Cursebreakers series, do check out this brand new spin-off as well!

My Thoughts: A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

A Vow So Bold and Deadly
(Cursebreakers #3)
by Brigid Kemmerer

Publication Date: January 26th 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9781547602582
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Retelling / Magic
Source: Own

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Face your fears, fight the battle.

Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone—even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series. (Goodreads)

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer at the top of my list of most anticipated reads for 2021, and I was so very excited to finally get my hands on the book! I have really enjoyed the series since it was first released in 2019, and while I’m not at all ready for the series to come to an end, I am very curious to see how it will do so.

If you’ve been around my blog a while, or if you follow me on Instagram, then you probably know how much I LOVE A Curse So Dark and Lonely. Not only because it’s such a unique, addictive read, but also because it’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, which I LOVE. (Seriously, can I get more retellings like this in the future, please?!) I thought the sequel, A Heart So Fierce and Broken was fantastic as well, and after the MAJOR cliffhanger ending in it, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this final book.

(It was a LONG wait… but it was also SO worth it.)

While I wanted to absolutely devour this book after I finally got my hands on it, I chose to read it slowly instead, because, as I said above, I really, really didn’t want the story to end. This was actually hard to do because the story was SO good, and things kept happening, and I just wanted to devour the book as quickly as I could. Once I hit the halfway mark, I was a goner, and read the last half of the book in one sitting.  And I enjoyed every minute of it.

I had no idea what to expect going into this book. The first and second books went in completely different directions than expected them to, and so I had no idea what would happen in this third book. The storyline picks up not long after where A Heart So Fierce and Broken ends and quickly goes from there. We get multiple viewpoints throughout the book, as we did in the previous books, and it was so nice to get in these characters' heads again. We learn so much new info! This series has so many great characters, and I love them all so much, and want to know so much more about them!

The first half of the book is a little slow, but once you hit the halfway mark, things really start to heat up. I’m pretty happy with the way things ended in this book… though… While it feels like some things came together rather nicely, it also felt like some things were left open – either to be left to our interpretation or for something else, I have no idea. I definitely feel like there could be more to this story in the future, and if Brigid wants to add to this series, or make a spin-off, I would SO be down for that. Give me all the books!

Overall; I thought A Vow So Bold and Deadly was the perfect end to this wonderful series. I wasn’t at all ready for it to end, and I am hoping beyond hope that we get more books in this series down the road, or maybe a spin-off series, because I’m so not ready to say goodbye to these characters. If you’ve read and loved the other books in this series, do check out this conclusion with A Vow So Bold and Deadly! If you’ve not yet started this fantastic series… well… what are you waiting for??

My Thoughts: A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

A Heart So Fierce and Broken
(Cursebreakers #2)
by Brigid Kemmerer

Publication Date: January 7th 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Pages: 450
ISBN: 9781681195117
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retellings
Source: Own

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Find the heir, win the crown.

The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Win the crown, save the kingdom.

Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen--until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?

The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war.

In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places. (Add to Goodreads)

I originally read A Heart So Fierce and Broken back when it was first released in 2020, but for some reason never typed out my thoughts on the book. Since I just finished re-reading it to refresh before starting A Vow So Bold and Deadly, I figured I would go ahead and take a moment to share my thoughts on the book while it is, once again, fresh in my mind.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a book that I enjoyed so much. Not only because it’s a highly addictive read, but also because it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. (I seriously can’t get enough of them.) It was definitely one of my favorite series starters, so of course, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on its sequel, A Heart So Fierce and Broken.

While the first book in the series is about Rhen and Harper, the second book is all about Grey, and a newly introduced character, Lia Mara. I loved Scary Grey from the moment I met him in the first book, so I was really, really excited to get his story in the second book. Especially after we discovered his secret! Grey is such a great character, and I really enjoyed following him on his journey in this book. I also really enjoyed watching his relationship with Lia Mara grow throughout the book. I like them both so much, and I’m so curious to see what’s in store for them, (as well as Harper, Rhen, and the rest of the crew), in the third book.

(Also, that ending of A Heart So Fierce and Broken was crazy! Waiting a year for the next book almost killed me!)

Overall; A Heart So Fierce and Broken was a great sequel to A Curse So Dark and Lonely! I am now very excited to get started on A Vow So Bold and Deadly, even though I am SO not ready for the series to end. If you haven’t yet started this series, you definitely need to do so! It’s so good, and I hope you enjoy it if you do decide to read it.

Waiting on Wednesday: A Vow So Bold and Deadly & We Free the Stars

A Vow So Bold and Deadly
(Cursebreakers #3)
by Brigid Kemmerer
(website)

Release Date: January 26th 2021
by Bloomsbury YA

Face your fears, fight the battle.
Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone—even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.

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We Free the Stars
(Sands of Arawiya #2)
by Hafsah Faizal
(website)

Release Date: January 19th 2021
by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

The sequel to the New York Times–bestselling We Hunt the Flame, Zafira and Nasir must conquer the darkness around—and inside of—them.

The battle on Sharr is over. The dark forest has fallen. Altair may be captive, but Zafira, Nasir, and Kifah are bound for Sultan’s Keep, determined to finish the plan he set in motion: restoring the hearts of the Sisters of Old to the minarets of each caliphate, and finally returning magic to all of Arawiya. But they are low on resources and allies alike, and the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return.

As the zumra plots to overthrow the kingdom’s darkest threat, Nasir fights to command the magic in his blood. He must learn to hone his power into a weapon, to wield not only against the Lion but against his father, trapped under the Lion’s control. Zafira battles a very different darkness festering in her through her bond with the Jawarat—a darkness that hums with voices, pushing her to the brink of her sanity and to the edge of a chaos she dare not unleash. In spite of the darkness enclosing ever faster, Nasir and Zafira find themselves falling into a love they can’t stand to lose…but time is running out to achieve their ends, and if order is to be restored, drastic sacrifices will have to be made.

Lush and striking, hopeful and devastating, We Free the Stars is the masterful conclusion to the Sands of Arawiya duology by New York Times–bestselling author Hafsah Faizal.

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•     •     •

2021 is already looking great with these two upcoming January releases that I am SO excited for! I feel like I've been waiting for both books for FOREVER, and I'm thrilled that I will soon have them in my hands. But first, I have to do re-reads of the first books! Yay!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Waiting on Wednesday: A Heart so Fierce and Broken & Infinity Son

A Heart So Fierce and Broken
(Cursebreakers #2)
by Brigid Kemmerer
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Publication Date: January 7th, 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
ISBN: 9781681195117

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In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places.

Find the heir, win the crown.
The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side, his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Win the crown, save the kingdom.
Rumored to be the heir, Grey has been on the run since he destroyed Lilith. He has no desire to challenge Rhen--until Karis Luran once again threatens to take Emberfall by force. Her own daughter Lia Mara sees the flaws in her mother’s violent plan, but can she convince Grey to stand against Rhen, even for the good of Emberfall?

The heart-pounding, compulsively readable saga continues as loyalties are tested and new love blooms in a kingdom on the brink of war. (Goodreads)

Sooo, I was a little late to the party when it came to reading *A Curse So Dark and Lonely* by Brigid Kemmerer, but I am SO thrilled that I finally read the book a few months ago. I do not plan to be late to the party with *A Heart So Fierce and Broken*! I actually have an arc of it already, and have been slowly working my way through it. (SO good, you guys!) I can't wait for my finished copy to arrive!

Infinity Son
(Infinity Cycle #1)
by Adam Silvera
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Publication Date: January14th, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062457820

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Balancing epic and intensely personal stakes, bestselling author Adam Silvera’s Infinity Son is a gritty, fast-paced adventure about two brothers caught up in a magical war generations in the making.

Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.

Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day.

Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be.

Brotherhood, love, and loyalty will be put to the test, and no one will escape the fight unscathed. (Goodreads)

Confession Time: The only book that I have read by Adam Silvera so far is What If It's Us, which he co-wrote with Becky Albertalli. Though, I do have quite a few of his books on my tbr, and I have no idea WHY I haven't read them yet! *doh!* This new book sounds pretty awesome though, and since I was able to snag a review copy from Edelweiss, I'm excited to hopefully start it soon!

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely
(Cursebreakers #1)
by Brigid Kemmerer
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Publication Date: January 29th 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Pages: 484
ISBN: 9781681195087
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: Own

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Fall in love, break the curse.

Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin. (Goodreads)

A Curse So Dark and Lonely has been on my TBR for the longest, and I’m not even sure what took me so long to read this book. I absolutely adore all of the contemporary novels that I’ve read by Brigid Kemmerer so far, and I was super curious to read this fantasy retelling. Let me tell you, it was SO good. So, so good, and I’m kicking myself for not having read it sooner!

If you know me at all then you know I love a good fairytale retelling! It’s so much fun to get an authors spin on a much loved story, and I’m always up for reading these retellings whenever I find them. I have read a few Beauty and the Beast retellings so far, and I am thrilled to tell you that A Curse So Dark and Lonely is at the top of my list of favorites!

There are so many things that I liked about this book. The characters were so great, and the main character, Harper, (the Belle in this book), is an awesome heroine, and not at all your average, ordinary girl. She really made this book special. Prince Rhen, (the Beast), was also a really interesting character. But, my favorite character in the book would have to be Grey. So mysterious and loyal, and I need to know more about him asap!

The storyline for this book felt familiar, yet completely new as well! I enjoyed the parts that reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, but I enjoyed the new twists as well. The story was fresh and exciting, and I absolutely can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Overall; As you can probably tell by these thoughts of mine, I really, really enjoyed A Curse So Dark and Lonely! I am seriously kicking myself for not having read the book sooner, and I have now learned my lesson that I must read any book by Brigid as soon as I get my hands on it! I am now SO excited to start A Heart So Fierce and Broken, which is set to release January 2020!!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Rest of the Story & Call It What You Want

The Rest of the Story
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: June 4th 2019
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
ISBN: 9780062933621

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Emma Saylor doesn’t remember a lot about her mother, who died when she was ten. But she does remember the stories her mom told her about the big lake that went on forever, with cold, clear water and mossy trees at the edges.

Now it’s just Emma and her dad, and life is good, if a little predictable…until Emma is unexpectedly sent to spend the summer with her mother’s family—her grandmother and cousins she hasn’t seen since she was a little girl.

When Emma arrives at North Lake, she realizes there are actually two very different communities there. Her mother grew up in working class North Lake, while her dad spent summers in the wealthier Lake North resort. The more time Emma spends there, the more it starts to feel like she is divided into two people as well. To her father, she is Emma. But to her new family, she is Saylor, the name her mother always called her.

Then there’s Roo, the boy who was her very best friend when she was little. Roo holds the key to her family’s history, and slowly, he helps her put the pieces together about her past. It’s hard not to get caught up in the magic of North Lake—and Saylor finds herself falling under Roo’s spell as well.

For Saylor, it’s like a whole new world is opening up to her. But when it’s time to go back home, which side of her will win out? (Goodreads)

I am a HUGE Sarah Dessen fan, and I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for something new by her! I've read all of her books, some multiple times, and they never get old. I have been sitting on a review copy of this book for a while now, and it's finally almost time to start it. I CAN'T WAIT!!

Call It What You Want
by Brigid Kemmerer
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Publication Date: June 25th 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
ISBN: 9781681198095

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When his dad is caught embezzling funds from half the town, Rob goes from popular lacrosse player to social pariah. Even worse, his father’s failed suicide attempt leaves Rob and his mother responsible for his care.

Everyone thinks of Maegan as a typical overachiever, but she has a secret of her own after the pressure got to her last year. And when her sister comes home from college pregnant, keeping it from her parents might be more than she can handle.

When Rob and Maegan are paired together for a calculus project, they’re both reluctant to let anyone through the walls they’ve built. But when Maegan learns of Rob’s plan to fix the damage caused by his father, it could ruin more than their fragile new friendship...

This captivating, heartfelt novel asks the question: Is it okay to do something wrong for the right reasons? (Goodreads)

Brigid Kemmerer is another author that I really enjoy, and am super excited to read this new book by her as well! A review copy of this book landed on my doorstep a few weeks back, and I'm super excited to get started on it asap.
(And I also need to read A Curse So Dark And Lonely as well!)

That's all for me...

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

More Than We Can Tell
by Brigid Kemmerer
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Publication Date: March 6th 2018
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9781681190143
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Netgalley

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*While this book exists in the same universe as Letters to the Lost, it is a standalone title.*

Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay...until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.

Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.

When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected. This must-read story will once again have readers falling for Brigid Kemmerer’s emotional storytelling. (Goodreads)

More Than We Can Tell is the highly anticipated companion novel to Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer, and I’m so very thrilled to have been able to read this book! I read Letters to the Lost last year, and really, really enjoyed the story, so when I discovered that More Than We Can Tell was a companion novel, I knew I would have to check it out! I am so glad I did! I really enjoyed this book.

Before I get started on this, let me say that while this is a companion novel to Letters to the Lost, you *can* read it as a standalone novel. But, if you have the opportunity to check out Letters to the Lost before starting this book, you should. *wink*

Since More Than We Can Tell is a companion novel, the story is set in the same world as Letters to the Lost, just with different set of main characters. Most of the characters we have already met in the first book, but this story revolves around Rev. (Yes, Declan and Juliet are in the story as well, but it's Rev's story.) I was super curious about Rev when we first met him in Letters to the Lost, and once I discovered that this book was about his story, I knew I would have to check it out. If you’ve read the first book, you will totally understand why. The guy was such a mystery, and I wanted nothing more than to get to know him. Having done so, I can tell you he's definitely a pretty awesome guy.

We're also introduced to a new character in the story as well, Emma Blue, who is a computer-coding wizard, who spends a lot of her free time creating online worlds for people to discover. She's pretty great at it as well. But, like Rev, she is going through a lot in the story, and when their paths cross one dark night, a bond is instantly formed. Though their stories were hard to read at times, they were hard *not* to read as well. The storyline for the book was so engrossing, I could hardly put it down, and when I did put it down, I didn't want to. I'm so glad I read this book.

Overall; if you can't tell by this super gushy review, I really enjoyed reading More Than We Can Tell! The storyline is addictive, and the characters are great. Brigid Kemmerer definitely has another winner on her hands, and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by her in the future. If you love a good contemporary novel, do check out More Than We Can Tell! (But don't' forget to check out Letters to the Lost as well!)

My Thoughts: Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

Letters to the Lost
by Brigid Kemmerer
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Publication Date: April 4th 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9781681190082
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Review Copy

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Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.

Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.

When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
When Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer arrived on my doorstep one afternoon, I was intrigued. After reading up on the book, I was even more intrigued, and I decided to add it to my TBR, to be read as soon as possible. I'm so glad I did this. I'm so glad I read the book. I really, really enjoyed it!

I read Letters to the Lost in just two days time, and I was absolutely hooked to the story. The storyline was definitely engrossing, and relatable as well. I feel like I've read a lot of books that have dealt with death lately, and they all totally take on different approaches to them. I love this. These are the books that readers will read and be able to relate to. And it's not just about death. It's also about finding yourself and learning to take your own path, and knowing that there is always hope, even when things feel completely hopeless.

There are a lot of characters to like in Letters to the Lost, including the two main characters, Juliet and Declan. The story is told from their alternative perspectives, and I love that it is told this way, as we really get to know both characters so well. Both have had loss and tragedy in their lives, and learning their stories made me just want to give them the biggest hugs ever. There are some really great secondary characters as well, including Declan's best friend, Rev, who I totally want to know more about. (And we will, next year, when the companion novel to Letters to the Lost, titled More Than We Can Tell, comes out! I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!)

Overall; Letters to the Lost is the first book I've read by Brigid Kemmerer, but it definitely will not be my last! I love that the story completely grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. I need more books like this in my life. Do check it out!