Unbreak My Heart

Jul 30, 2012 Ariana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ya-contemporary, romance, emotional

There is something awful about feeling guilty.. It eats you from the inside, it kills the joy, it leaves you empty, it sucks the life out of you. The thing is, it doesn't matter if you've made a big mistake or a small one, because your conscience will act like a magnifying glass making your memories haunt you day and night.

"My mind is not a very forgiving place."

Also, being young is difficult; it's hard to know what's right or wrong, and it's even harder to manage to walk that thin line between...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Cara marked it as to-read

Say you'll love me again....
I just couldn't help myself! It was begging me to do it:)

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Jul 28, 2012 Charlotte rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-challenge, 2012-releases, netgalley, may-2012-release, young-adult, favorite-ya, feburary-2012, arc

This is a beautifully written journey of a young woman working through the weight of her choices.

I HIGHLY recommend this!

Update: It's been several months since I read this and I've struggled with writing this review all along. Why is it so hard to write a review for a book you love so much?

I don't think I will ever do this book justice, I loved it so much. I found it real and emotional and so much of what I want to explain to my teen daughter about friendships, loyalty, family, patience, first...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Jessica Ramirez rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 19, 2012 Danielle (Curiouser & Curiouser) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-favourites, when-i-die-bury-this-book-with-me, beach-reads, chick-lit, contemporary, covers-that-make-you-jizz, romance

This review can be found on The Midnight Tea Party

How am I supposed to start this?
I just want to point out something that annoyed me before I gush and fangirl and talk about the deliciousness of this summer love novel.

I get that we all get my mad. We all get angry with ourselves at one point for doing something we didn't expect we'd do. We disappoint people and you can't help but hate yourself... a lot. This is how Clementine feels, the girl with amazing friends and a best friend that just comp...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Emma rated it 3 of 5 stars

Clementine made a big mistake her sophomore year. It started with a series of little mistakes and foolish decisions but by the end Clemetine had broken one of the most important rules of friendship.

That was two weeks ago.

Now, heartbroken and friendless, Clementine is about to embark on a three month sailing trip with her parents and her little sister, Olive, on The Possibility. Last year the trip sounded like a horrible, faraway idea. Now that it's here, Clem is surprised to realize it might be...more Clementine made a big mistake her sophomore year. It started with a series of little mistakes and foolish decisions but by the end Clemetine had broken one of the most important rules of friendship.

That was two weeks ago.

Now, heartbroken and friendless, Clementine is about to embark on a three month sailing trip with her parents and her little sister, Olive, on The Possibility. Last year the trip sounded like a horrible, faraway idea. Now that it's here, Clem is surprised to realize it might be exactly what she needs.

Three months is a long time to be on a boat with nowhere to go and nothing to do. It's a long time to have no one around except your family and the other boaters on your route. It's an even longer time to be miserable. Not that Clem deserves to be anything else after what she did.

But as The Possibility sails farther from home and Clem really thinks about what happened, she begins to realize that being miserable won't actually fix anything--if she wants to move forward, Clem has to do that herself in Unbreak My Heart (2012) by Melissa C. Walker.

Unbreak My Heart is a fizzy, adorable story about a girl who made a really bad choice and what she is doing to move beyond it. Alternating between scenes of Clem's summer trip and memories of what happened during the school year, Walker tempers Clem's past with a strong dose of retrospection so that she is always a sympathetic and approachable protagonist.

The reveal of what ultimately went wrong is also well-handled providing a good balance between teasing asides and actual facts. The pacing is excellent and Walker does an excellent job of unfolding Clem's complicated motivations and choices throughout the story.

Although the core of the story comes from a complicated issue, the plot is charmingly simple as Clem comes back to herself on the sailing trip and meets other boaters (including a cute boy) who help her put her own mistake in perspective as she starts to heal.

I also loved that Clem's family played such a huge role in the story with a sister that I would definitely hang out with and parents who are refreshingly present and helpful and supportive throughout the story. I know it's hard sometimes to have excitement and growth in the same story as parents but I wish more books could find that balance as easily as Unbreak My Heart.

Another dimension is added to the story by Clem's repeated attempts to write a letter to her best friend as she tries to explain herself. (Not to mention a totally realistic, unobtrusive integration of social networks.) I tend to be extremely skeptical of reconciliation plots because they seem simplified and idealistic but it works in this one. Unbreak My Heart features one of the only reconciliation plots that felt not only legitimate but necessary. I'm absolutely rooting for Clem and her best friend.

As the title might suggest, there is some romance and a whole lot of flirting but what I most enjoyed about this story is the romantic parts are very secondary to Clem's own understanding of what she has done and what she wants to happen next. Filled with idyllic sailing scenes, lots of humor, and some very wise ruminations on what friendship really means, Unbreak My Heart is a surprising, enchanting story about fresh starts and healing.

Possible Pairings: The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life by Tara Altebrando, Just One Day by Gayle Forman, Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti, The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson, After the Kiss by Terra Elan McVoy, The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott(less)

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Jan 06, 2013 Katy rated it 2 of 5 stars

I thought this book was just okay. It was kind of dull, and Clementine was a little too depressing for my taste.

It was written in short scenes, so it really just brushed the surface, and I didn't have a chance to connect with the characters. As soon as I found myself beginning to like a character, the book moves right along and I lose that attachment I was beginning to grasp.

Like I said, Clem was a little bit too depressing for me. I understand she was heartbroken from losing her best friend and...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Unbreak My Heart is a sweet and insightful story about the heartbreak and guilt of damaging a friendship. Melissa Walker does a great job of taking an issue and making readers see a different side of it than what is normally portrayed.

Usually when we see a story about "boyfriend stealing", it is from the perspective of the girl who has been cheated on. In Unbreak My Heart, we see the heartbreak that comes when Clementine crosses some lines and hurts her best friend. I like it when an author can...more Unbreak My Heart is a sweet and insightful story about the heartbreak and guilt of damaging a friendship. Melissa Walker does a great job of taking an issue and making readers see a different side of it than what is normally portrayed.

Usually when we see a story about "boyfriend stealing", it is from the perspective of the girl who has been cheated on. In Unbreak My Heart, we see the heartbreak that comes when Clementine crosses some lines and hurts her best friend. I like it when an author can take a moral issue that is usually seen as black and white, and show the shades of grey that lie between.

On top of all of this, we see a unique setting when Clem spends her summer sailing on a boat with her family. This creates a very active involvement of the family in the story, which is also nice to see.

I think the most important part of this story is Clem's realization of the importance of friendship and how nothing should have been worth damaging such an important relationship in her life. As the story is pieced together bit by bit, it is easy to see how Clem got so wrapped up in things for a boy who, in the end, was clearly not worth it. Luckily, as she heals herself over the summer, a much sweeter, more worthwhile guy is there to help her along the way.

I love the characters in this story, especially Clem's family. She has such understanding parents, and a wise little sister, who put up with a lot from her. It is nice to see a main character who is able to appreciate her family, and open up to them when she needs it.

On a completely random note, I love the name 'Clementine' for a YA heroine, but everytime I hear 'Clem', I think of this guy:

description

(Source)

Clem, a particularly friendly, kitten gambling demon from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A strange visual to get when reading a about a 16 year old girl on a boat.

Also, I seriously am incapable of reading the title of this book without mentally bursting into song à la Toni Braxton.

But, back to the point, Unbreak My Heart is a nice summer read for any lover of contemporary YA. Great for dreaming about being on a boat, and getting away from those everyday troubles. It is everything a summer read should be, though I kind of went crazy at the lack of resolution in the end. (less)

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Oct 14, 2012 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, netgalley, ereader, for-review, contemporary

There are certain topics that make me pull a Fred Savage – one being cheating. Yet, I had read Melissa C. Walker’s books in the past and really connected with them and thus set out to read Unbreak My Heart despite my brain going ‘Is this a cheating book?’ Friends, obviously I was in good hands while reading and surprisingly connected and had sympathy for the main character, Clem, the illustrious other woman.
Read the rest of my review here

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Jan 11, 2012 Rachael rated it 4 of 5 stars

This summer was supposed to be the best summer of Clem’s life, but when she falls for her best friend’s boyfriend and said best friend refuses to speak to her, the summer is looking pretty gloomy. That’s why she doesn’t put up much of a fight when her parents get the bright idea to spend their entire summer on their sailboat. Maybe being surrounded by only her parents and her little sister Olive will be good for her, since they’re the only people who seem to still like her. Clem has resigned her...more This summer was supposed to be the best summer of Clem’s life, but when she falls for her best friend’s boyfriend and said best friend refuses to speak to her, the summer is looking pretty gloomy. That’s why she doesn’t put up much of a fight when her parents get the bright idea to spend their entire summer on their sailboat. Maybe being surrounded by only her parents and her little sister Olive will be good for her, since they’re the only people who seem to still like her. Clem has resigned herself to a summer of wallowing and self-punishment until she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. Like Clem’s family, James and his father are sailing the river for the summer, and something about James and his unwavering cheerfulness is getting to Clem, in the best way. Maybe, with James’s help, Clem might find the strength to forgive herself and heal her broken heart.

Unbreak My Heart is a sweet and touching summery read from a favorite author of mine. I loved the fun premise of Walker’s Violet on the Runway series as well as her more contemplative look at personal faith in Small Town Sinners, and I immensely enjoyed all of those books. Unbreak My Heart falls somewhere in the middle of those books as a thoughtful twist on a lighthearted summer story. By alternating the story between reflections on the school year where everything went wrong and the summer after, readers get a generous glimpse into a girl who’s struggling to be a good friend and still be true to herself. Walker has this girl’s voice perfectly through Clem’s character, and this really brings Clem, her memories, and her struggles to get past them to life. I love how Walker ends the story on an open yet hopeful note, though I wish there were more interaction between Clem, her best friend Amanda, and Amanda’s boyfriend Ethan after the whole debacle to clear up the drama. Despite this, Unbreak My Heart is still a wonderful love story, personal journey, and summer read.

Unbreak My Heart will be enjoyed by fans of The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott, Stay by Deb Caletti, Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, and Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com (less)

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Jun 09, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 10th-grade-book-reviews

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This story is about a girl named Clementine, who goes on vacation with her mother, father and younger sister, Olive. In the beginning of the story she is very, very depressed. Why? It is unclear but it is because she had done something horrible to her best friend Amanda. She is less reluctant to go because she feels as if she doesn't belong on land so being on the water would at least keep her away from the drama. She feels so hated that she thinks this vacation would allow her to be at least al...more This story is about a girl named Clementine, who goes on vacation with her mother, father and younger sister, Olive. In the beginning of the story she is very, very depressed. Why? It is unclear but it is because she had done something horrible to her best friend Amanda. She is less reluctant to go because she feels as if she doesn't belong on land so being on the water would at least keep her away from the drama. She feels so hated that she thinks this vacation would allow her to be at least alone. Her family knows about what had happened and tries to help her cope. They are excited and happy for the trip, but are sympathetic towards Clementine. The story goes back and forth talking about what her life had been like before she did that horrible deed and her life on the boat. When she talks about her friends she talks about how Amanda and her were the "core" of their group of friends because they were closer together than all the rest. Amanda and Clementine had been best friends since elementary school. They did everything together and spent all their time together. They were almost sisters. Amanda would just show up to Clementines home whenever she chose. They shared many memories together. As the story goes on, Clementine reveals more of what happened before she was put on the boat. Apparently, Amanda had her eyes on a guy named Ethan. Amanda was also said to be very appealing to the boys, so Clementine knew that Amanda and Ethan would eventually date. Clementine and Ethan also become very close (I already knew in the beginning that they were being more than just "friends"). Clementine also talks about how after she did what she had done to Amanda that none of her friends would talk to her because no one could understand why Clementine would hurt Amanda of all people. Now back to the present, Clementine is on the boat, moping and trying not to think about Amanda. But of course she does, and it makes her very upset. Whenever her family tries to bring it up, she gets upset and shuts down. Clementine apparently had put herself on this boat so that she can suffer, but she starts to find that its pretty hard when she meets James. When Clementine was sent on land to buy some groceries at the "dock deli" as her father put it, she runs into a tall, red haired, freckled boy named James. Right off the bat, Clementine already likes him. She, however, tries to avoid him because she does not want to have any contact with guys after the Ethan situation. But she finds it hard to do so when James' boat (he is also on a boat vacation/trip) is sailing the same path as them. It is later revealed that Clementine had stolen Ethan from Amanda, and broke the girl code. It was already obvious, but Clementine developed feelings for him and vice versa, and so he basically cheated on Amanda when everyone knew that he was hers in a way. On the boat, James begins to help Clementine forgive herself for what she did and be happy. James is very accepting and helps her look beyond what had happened. When the story ends, it is unclear whether or not Amanda and Clementine make up, but Clementine has found a peace of mind and is at peace with herself again. She has found another way to be happy.

In this story forgiveness is a big part of the story because Clementine spent most of her time hating herself. It is very interesting that this book takes the point of view of the person who did the crime, than the victim (Amanda), it is very interesting to me because in real life I would not feel bad for the person who "cheated". But in this story, I honestly felt really bad for her. But anyway, Clementine put herself on that boat because she felt as if she needed to be punished more, she wanted to be on that boat so that she could be depressed and sad the whole journey and have no fun. She lost all her friends and is constantly haunted by what she did to Amanda. However, over time she begins to forgive herself and that helps her evolve into a new person. In this whole story it was mainly about how she finally found peace in herself.(less)

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Apr 03, 2013 Melanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was light and fast and honest and real.

Pros:

Clem's family. LOVED seeing a tight-knit family in a YA novel. No, they're not perfect, but they love each other and aren't afraid to show it. And I hope to be able to give my own kids space when they are in the midst of their teen-angst.

Olive. Love her. :)

James. Ahhh, if only a boy like him truly existed....but it's always fun to dream.

Their romance. Sweet, natural, authentic and unforced.

Clem. Sh...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Karen Yingling rated it 3 of 5 stars

During any other summer, Clementine would not be happy that she had to spend the entire three months of summer vacation boating with her family, but since her social life is a complete wreck and her best friend Amanda isn't speaking to her, she might as well. Her younger sister Olivia is somewhat annoying, but spending time with her family isn't as bad as she thought. We learn about what happened with her best friend a little bit at a time, and why everyone at school now hates her. We also meet...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Angel rated it 2 of 5 stars

I can't believe this turned out to be a two stars for me. The book cover is one of the best I've seen so far. The title is cool - cliche but catching. The summary is amazing. The first few chapters were perfect.

And then it went downhill. The only reason it even got two stars was because of the main male lead - James. Without James, this is just a one star.

I catch glimpses of what others see when they gave this a four or five stars rating. But overall, it doesn't lift it up to me.

I'm already a wh...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Valencia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: emotionally-awesome-books, favorites, light-reads, absolute-favs, nearly-cried

From the moment I got the book, I knew I just had to start reading it, the cover was simply gorgeous, I fell in love with the book before I even got started!

So, putting yourselves in Clemetine William's position, you're a lost, brokenhearted girl, forced to spend the summer with your family out on the sea sailing the Great Loop.
Clem made a mistake. Ok, a big mistake (but from my POV, it's forgivable, because hey, Clem and Eathan never really did anything and it happens.) She fell for her best...more From the moment I got the book, I knew I just had to start reading it, the cover was simply gorgeous, I fell in love with the book before I even got started!

So, putting yourselves in Clemetine William's position, you're a lost, brokenhearted girl, forced to spend the summer with your family out on the sea sailing the Great Loop.
Clem made a mistake. Ok, a big mistake (but from my POV, it's forgivable, because hey, Clem and Eathan never really did anything and it happens.) She fell for her best friend's boyfriend, Ethan. And this isn't just some best friend, this is her best friend for years, you know, the type that you share all your secrets with, the one where you plan your weddings, college decisions with, the one that is always there for you and just... gets you... but the problem is, that her best friend Amanda doesn't forgive her.

Ok, heheh, this is another thing that I loved about the book, I just absolutely adored the characters, I wish they were real people so I could meet them!
One of my favourite characters is Olive. Olive is Clem's little sister who is ten years old (Clem is 16) and she absolutely loves Clem, there's no mistaking that.

One of my favourite quotes:

“I just want you to see out there, where it's blue and wild and full of adventure. And then I want you to see in here, where there's a warm yellow glow and your family is making dinner and your mom and dad are dancing and your little sister is hoping that you'll throw a smile her way.”

And then there's James.... he's so sweet, so understanding and full of life, definitely one of my most favourite characters in this book, he's so funny, I love his jokes and they actually make me smile, it's not all the time an author can do that to you :)

One of my fav James quote:

"You're obviously an assassin sent to kill me by collision," he says. I smile slightly and touch my forehead, which is throbbing a little.
"I could say the same thing about you" Just then, Olive rounds the corner behind the redheaded guy(James) and hits him - smack! - in the butt.
"Ooh, sorry!" she says, hurrying past him to get to me. She throws condensed milk into our basket.
"What the - ?" says the redheaded guy. "Two assassins?!"
I laugh then and the sound surprises me.
He smiles. "You've got a nice laugh, Miss... "
"Williams," I say. "I mean, Clem. I'm Clem."
"I'm James," he says, "It's nice to meet you."

Wow. I'm really in love with this book, it's so perfect, I live for James and Clem moments!
I definitely recommend this book to all summer romance, light-readers, or fans of Sarah Dessen :)
It is an amazing book! You won't regret it!(less)

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Dec 07, 2012 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, young-adult

It's not usually a good idea for me to start reading a book because I think the cover is beautiful. That almost never ends well. But this cover is so beautiful, with its calm and dreamy pink wash, and the inside flap description is spare and intriguing...I couldn't help myself.

And, at first, I regretted it. I'm not wild about the writing, which seems at times to try too hard for a casual and teen-y voice and references bits of pop culture that I suspect are over the heads of the book's intended...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Cecelia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I knew I wanted to read Unbreak My Heart as soon as I saw the combination of sweet teen summer romance cover and bittersweet summary. Plus, I’d heard great things about Melissa Walker’s writing. Fellow readers tossed around words like ‘light romance’ and ‘perfect beach read.’ That didn’t really prepare me for the depth of emotion in Walker’s novel. I really liked the book, but it was unexpected. I’m glad I gave it a chance.

Clementine is sailing with her family for an entire summer. While most si...more I knew I wanted to read Unbreak My Heart as soon as I saw the combination of sweet teen summer romance cover and bittersweet summary. Plus, I’d heard great things about Melissa Walker’s writing. Fellow readers tossed around words like ‘light romance’ and ‘perfect beach read.’ That didn’t really prepare me for the depth of emotion in Walker’s novel. I really liked the book, but it was unexpected. I’m glad I gave it a chance.

Clementine is sailing with her family for an entire summer. While most sixteen year-olds would resent the constant lack of privacy and the indignity of navy showers, Clem doesn’t mind floating into the unknown – because she wrecked her social life before embarking. Clem fell for her best friend’s boyfriend, and the weight of guilt, grief and shame about her actions is casting a cloud over her life, not to mention the family trip. When she meets James, who is also sailing the Great Loop, she starts to wonder if healing is part of the plan, and most importantly, if she deserves it. Unbreak My Heart is a story of betrayal, redemption, loss and hope, set against the background of an idyllic summer of sailing.

In terms of characters, Clem is so very human that it stings. Her first ‘big’ mistake hurts not only herself, but her best friend and entire friend group as well. Add in to that a very real belief that she deserves her misery, and you’ve got the recipe for a angst and a broken heart with no healing in sight. Lucky for her, she has a fantastic, cheesy family (unlike many other YA protagonists), including overeager little sister Olive, to help her remember who she is. James, the boat boy, is almost too sweet for words; if I hadn’t met a couple of ‘James’ in my own journey, I’d say he was impossible. Amanda and Ethan are part of Clem’s past, but as is the case in life, the past informs the present. In all, it’s a emotional group, some making good choices, some bad, some in that gray area in between.

The writing itself alternates between sections from the past and present. Initially this is works well as the reader is unraveling what happened in the past year, and Clem is working through her emotions about it in the present. However, the middle chapters have wildly disparate tones (swinging emotions from high to low in a space of pages, over and over) that this reader was tempted to skip the ‘past’ sections altogether. It made for compelling reading, but the penalty was laughter one minute, and feeling on the verge of tears the next.

Unbreak My Heart is a book about the fallout from deception and self-deception, cheating, forgiveness, grief, self-discovery, spiced with a hint of summer romance and healthy family dynamics. It is well-written, emotional, beautiful in parts, and very real.

Recommended for: fans of Donna Freitas and Lindsey Leavitt, those who like character-driven YA, and anyone who enjoys bitter/sweet romances in original settings.(less)

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Sep 10, 2012 Jeanbooknerd rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews

Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker is an emotional and touching story narrated by the main character, Clementine “Clem” Williams. Summer has come as she, her parents, and younger sister, Olive, set out on a summer-long expedition on a sailboat. This may sound like the perfect getaway for a family but for Clem, it is not all that easy. Through her narration, readers quickly learn how she fell naively and effortlessly for Ethan and begin to understand her current state of uneasiness. Ethan is her...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Christin (Portrait of a Book) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 100in2012, book-portrait-review, contemporary-fiction, src2012, young-adult

This book had a lot of buzz around it, and the night that I picked it up to read, it seemed like it would be the right mix of poignant and sweet. Unbreak My Heart explores different sides of heartbreak and the pain that any loss can cause, but as the title suggests, it also shows healing.

Clementine Williams' sophomore year was fine...until people found out that she had fallen for her best friend Amanda's boyfriend. Because of that, Clem was shunned by her friends and looking forward to a summer...more This book had a lot of buzz around it, and the night that I picked it up to read, it seemed like it would be the right mix of poignant and sweet. Unbreak My Heart explores different sides of heartbreak and the pain that any loss can cause, but as the title suggests, it also shows healing.

Clementine Williams' sophomore year was fine...until people found out that she had fallen for her best friend Amanda's boyfriend. Because of that, Clem was shunned by her friends and looking forward to a summer with no plans, until her parents tell her that they will be sailing along the river. Clem is looking forward to escaping into her room with her music, but her family's first stop on the journey changes that. She meets a boy her age, James, in a store, and soon they are running into each other quite frequently. But Clem knows she isn't a good person - after all, her lifelong friends still won't talk to her. Neither her parents nor her little sister Olive can cheer her up. But could James be just the medicine that her heart needs?

Unbreak My Heart is told with a dual narrative, alternating pieces of Clem's sophomore year with the events of the summer on the river. I loved that the story unfolded gradually and that we still learned more about Clem as the book went on. I also enjoyed getting to know her family. Her parents were involved and caring, and her little sister Olive was adorable - just like what I always imagined a little sister would be like. Then there was James. I have to admit that I am a sucker for tortured artists - and with James being an incredible artist who was hiding secrets, I found him incredibly swoon-worthy. Their relationship felt real and was developed over time, and it was by no means issue-free. I appreciated how Clem gradually realized what was really bothering her and started learning how to be okay with the way thing were. And as for Ethan...even though he seemed perfect at first, he is also a great example of how the perfect person isn't always perfect for you.

Even though this book was full of emotion and definitely worth the read, it wasn't as moving as I was expecting. Perhaps it was a case of my expectations being too high, or perhaps it was because I had issues with some of the characters. Amanda disappointed me, and to be honest, I wish that Clem would have stood up for herself better. Even so, the story was sweet, and I enjoyed reading about the summer on the river.

Whether you're looking for something about first love or recovery from first crushes, Unbreak My Heart is a great summer read. Now that I've read this, I will definitely have to read Melissa Walker's Small Town Sinners and any other books that she might write!(less)

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Aug 16, 2012 Bibliojunkies added it

* * * * 1/2

Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life. Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now. Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the riv...more * * * * 1/2

Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life. Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now. Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart? Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to. (Taken from Goodreads)

Last year I read Melissa Walker’s Small Town Sinners which was a religious coming of age story. It ended up not being my cuppa but no matter how much I disliked the subject matter and the story, I couldn’t deny the fact that Melissa Walker is an amazing author. When I heard she had another book coming out and that it was a cotemporary romance I was absolutely thrilled.

Melissa Walker doesn’t pull any punches in this book. There are no false hopes. There are no promises of perfection that is so easy to find in fiction. Every single person in this story makes a mistake. Some are disastrous and some are barely noticeable. The story brings home the fact that not a single one of us is perfect and we will all screw up at least once in our life. What’s important, though, is what we do with the knowledge our mistakes give us.

This book brought back lots of memories. We’ve all been there one way or another. We have all hurt or have been hurt. And when we are teens we feel like those hurts are the end of the world and there is no redemption. In this story, Clem did something really horrible. She betrayed a friend in one of the worst ways possible. And that betrayal doesn’t necessarily deserve forgiveness. And when you do something like that and you KNOW that you were in the wrong, how do you move on? How do you start over? It’s hard to figure that out. Especially when you are young and you bottle it in and don’t confide in someone. As Clem’s summer progresses, she learns to trust her family and new friends with what has turned her world up side down. And in doing so she doesn’t necessarily earn forgiveness but she learns that life does go on and it does get better.

I loved this story. It was honest without being brutal. Hopeful without being dishonest. And romantic without being unrealistic. If you are a fan of Contemporary YA, I can not recommend this book enough. This book is definitely a Top Ten contender for 2012.

Nat
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Jul 30, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ended too early.

One mistake cost Clem everything: her best friend, her reputation, and her happiness. Now, she's stuck on a boat with her family for three months, unable to contact anyone or hide her sadness from her family. When she meets Red, she's forced to hang out with him and finds that his positive outlook and easy personality may be just what she needs to heal.

What makes this book stand out is the pacing that seems to follow the s...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Sofía Micaela rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is so amazing, it's definitely a book I would read again. It made me laugh, cry... It was like a roller coaster.

The thing I love the most was Clem's family. Despise how awful she was being with them, they really wanted to make her happy, especially her little sister. I couldn't help but to connect her with my own little sister, those times when I was so busy being sad about my boyfriend, when I ignore her or treat her really bad... She never scream at me or ask me to stop being so mean...more

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Jul 15, 2012 Daisy Chain rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you are looking for a light quick summer read then this is for you! But be warned! You might – just as I did – desperately want to go on holiday (preferably on a boat) after you’ve read this. Don’t blame me for it in the end, I told you :) .

What I like about the book that it is two stories in one. So one story is Clem going on a sailing trip over the summer with her family and the second story is the past year at school and how all the mess she got into started. So you slowly get to know Clem...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Agnes Sy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks

Ack, it is really frustrating when a good book ends with kind of an open ending. Which is what this book did.

But anyhow, I loved this! The emotions were so real that I actually found myself crying a few times. I really liked all the characters in this book, and the author did a great job at keeping things realistic.

One thing I didn't like was how much alternating there was between past and present. It would have been fine in the first few chapters, but it went on for quite a while. But at the s...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars

Clementine and her family are boat people. Actually, Clem’s family is made up of boat people. Clem would rather spend sometime using her newly-acquired driver’s license, checking up on Facebook and doing any number of normal things for a 16 year old girl.
Except nothing is, or ever will be, normal again because Clem has committed the ultimate no-no: She fell in love with her best friend’s boyfriend.
Throughout her sophomore novel, author Melissa Walker continues to show her innate understanding o...more

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Jun 10, 2012 cupcake rated it 5 of 5 stars

I did not want this book to end. Not at all. In fact, Melissa Walker, I am not amused by your antics. You ended this book just when I really REALLY wanted to know what happened next. That is dirty play on your part, and I am going to cross my arms and pout at you for a long, long time.

Or until you tell me what you think happened next, at which point I will forgive you, because I am nothing if not easy to woo.

You will like this book too. I promise.

You will like Clementine Williams, even with her...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Elena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, contemp-2012-challenge

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

UNORTHODOX REVIEW TIME! I find it easier to write about Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker in a pros & cons list format.

PROS:

1. Clem’s family!!! I liked them! A lot! I loved that her parents were so in love, her sister was adorable, and they were so supportive. I really enjoyed reading about them and that they were an actual family. I would love to have them as my family.
2. James! I absolutely loved his optimism and how he could make everyone smile. He reminded me...more 3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

UNORTHODOX REVIEW TIME! I find it easier to write about Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker in a pros & cons list format.

PROS:

1. Clem’s family!!! I liked them! A lot! I loved that her parents were so in love, her sister was adorable, and they were so supportive. I really enjoyed reading about them and that they were an actual family. I would love to have them as my family.
2. James! I absolutely loved his optimism and how he could make everyone smile. He reminded me a bit of Cricket Bell from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins in terms of temperament. Sweet, cute boys.
3. BOAT PUNS! Add two or three cheesy puns and I’m guaranteed to like the book around 20% more.
4. Melissa Walker’s writing was really easy to read. It was clean, simple, and enjoyable.
5. I also liked the sailing aspect of this. Doesn’t sailing sound GREAT? They spent quite a bit of time on their boats and on ports but the descriptions of sailing were fantastic. I wish I too were decked in typical sailor garb (Saint James, anyone?) and makin’ eyes at cute boys in ports. Too bad Clem didn’t really appreciate this at first, which transitions me to the cons list.

CONS:

1. When Unbreak My Heart begins, Clem is fresh off a friendship/relationship(ish) break up. The chapters in the book alternate between what happened and what’s happening now. In the present day chapters, Clem was frequently referred to as a formerly bright, bubbly, happy, etc. etc. girl. However, I didn’t really see this in the before or after chapters. She spent a LOT of the book moping and it was frustrating! I mean, I get self-hate (boy, do I ever) but sometimes, I just wanted to shake Clem out of her misery. When we found out what she actually did with her friend’s boyfriend, I kind of face palmed. I’m glad she gained perspective later on in the book but it took some time. Even when she was being frustrating and mopey, her family were there for her and that was very nice to read about.
2. I liked the hopeful, semi-open ending but I really wished there was a resolution for the Amanda and Ethan drama. ALL THAT AND WE DON’T GET CLOSURE? It really, really frustrated me when Ethan wasn’t blamed for the drama at all while Clem was. I think it was interesting Melissa Walker raised the idea of that because unfortunately, this is something that happens a lot. It takes two to tango, people!

Originally posted at Novel Sounds (less)

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Jun 01, 2012 Cierra (The Book Lover's Report) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: loved

This book opens as Clem is packing and her whole family is getting ready for their boating vacation. I was confused, though on what she was made an 'outcast' over, though, because it she doesn't elaborate on the fact. While her and her family is on the boat, she's sulking and sullen (my take) because she lost her best friend, and all other friends, she has to stay in a boat with her family for all summer, and she can't get online anywhere. While at a dockside store, she bumps into James. James,...more

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May 28, 2012 Belle (Little Paper Rose) rated it 3 of 5 stars

- Review taken from my YA book blog Little Paper Rose

'Unbreak My Heart' was a light, sweet, and generally nice read. It's one of those subtler type of stories.

I was intrigued by the boat setting and frankly a little disappointed the book was mostly told when anchored. I'd really looked forward to experiencing the boat life and lots of salty breezes and sparkling waters.

Everything about 'Unbreak My Heart' was actually perfectly likable. There's little conflict in the story which obviously make le...more - Review taken from my YA book blog Little Paper Rose

'Unbreak My Heart' was a light, sweet, and generally nice read. It's one of those subtler type of stories.

I was intrigued by the boat setting and frankly a little disappointed the book was mostly told when anchored. I'd really looked forward to experiencing the boat life and lots of salty breezes and sparkling waters.

Everything about 'Unbreak My Heart' was actually perfectly likable. There's little conflict in the story which obviously make less opinions. It was actually Clementine I needed an extra push to warm up to - only because she started off quite snarly and snappish. Sometimes I'd find it quite annoying how dismissive she'd be of her little sister.

James was perfectly fine - friendly and open - although, not particularly memorable. I think more mystery and roughness to him would've suited, just because I'd like to think of him as a mysterious stranger who intrudes on Clementine's miserable summer.
James and Clementine's growing relationship was definitely on the simpler side and even though there wasn't too much to it, it was fine.

I liked that many, if not, most of the chapters started with a draft of the letter Clementine's trying to write to Amanda, her best friend. I found the plot regarding Amanda to be either underwhelming or disoriented, I haven't made up my mind. Probably a little of both.

One part of me would've wanted more out of it, learn more, and get more of a satisfying end. The second part of me felt like it was okay the way it was. It was pretty blurry whether Clementine was at fault or not and I wasn't really sure where the whole thing was headed, therefore I wasn't astonished it left off loosely.

I have to say, my favorite thing about the book was how simple it was. As much as I adore poetic and descriptive writing, it's also really nice reading a cleanly well-written, more compact book.

Clementine will have time figuring things out during the summer - stuck on a boat with her (sweet) family - and she'll ultimately know how to deal and where she stands.
The writing was neat and the story itself had lots of room to breathe and was very easy to follow. 'Unbreak My Heart' was all-in-all a measured and balanced read. It's the kind of book you relax to a Sunday afternoon.(less)

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May 20, 2012 Libby rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction

Unbreak My Heart
By Melissa Walker

Overall star rating: 5/5 stars
Rating: PG-13
Plot originality: 4.5/5 stars

I own this book, and I have it signed by Melissa Walker. It says, "For Olivia, <3<3 Melissa Walker." I went to her panel at the Teen Book fest with the author of The Summer I Turned Pretty, which was called "Girl Talk."
It was really fun and sweet, and I very much enjoyed it. So, I went and bought the book:)

I had alot of trouble with this one at first, even though I still read it in a da...more

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