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309th out of 453 books
—
394 voters
A Healing Heart
by
Melissa A. Hanson (Goodreads Author)
On a bitter cold winter night Bailey Walsh’s family was killed in a traffic accident. Two years later as she lives with her aunt and uncle in Southern California, Bailey is still plagued by the nightmares of that terrible night. Everywhere around her are reminders of what she lost. Even her aunt, in a cruel twist of fate, is not just her mom’s sister, but her identical twi...more
Paperback, 270 pages
Published
February 14th 2012
by Melissa Hanson
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Can I just say for the record that I absolutely loved this sweet story?
I mean truly, this was such a great book I didn't even want to put it down. I was completely captivated by the story and immediately loved Collin and Bailey and Riley and Lacey. Something about all of them (their past more than likely) just pulled at my heart strings and demanded that I let them in.
I absolutely loved watching them grow. Growing as individuals and growing together as they both learned to live and to love and t...more
I mean truly, this was such a great book I didn't even want to put it down. I was completely captivated by the story and immediately loved Collin and Bailey and Riley and Lacey. Something about all of them (their past more than likely) just pulled at my heart strings and demanded that I let them in.
I absolutely loved watching them grow. Growing as individuals and growing together as they both learned to live and to love and t...more
I honestly have very mixed feelings about this book. I am not sure, did I like it? Did I hate it? I don't know.
Alright, so Bailey lost her family in a car accident, and she's suffering from pain and nightmares even after the fact with two years. She's living with her aunt and baby-sitting her aunt's friend's kid, Riley. One day when she's with Riley at the park she manages to talk with Collin, the good-looking newcomer to town. From there Bailey's life changes, and she's able to have a normal li...more
Alright, so Bailey lost her family in a car accident, and she's suffering from pain and nightmares even after the fact with two years. She's living with her aunt and baby-sitting her aunt's friend's kid, Riley. One day when she's with Riley at the park she manages to talk with Collin, the good-looking newcomer to town. From there Bailey's life changes, and she's able to have a normal li...more
*A copy of this book was provided by the author herself for review purposes*
Alright, first of all, I would like to applaud the author for actually attempting to write a good book. Other reviewers just don't care, but they don't go out into the world themselves with a piece of their heart and soul in the form of a book, baring it before others, leaving it unprotected for countless criticism. It was a good try, but Miss Hanson needs more experience in order to reach that place that S.C Stephens, J...more
Alright, first of all, I would like to applaud the author for actually attempting to write a good book. Other reviewers just don't care, but they don't go out into the world themselves with a piece of their heart and soul in the form of a book, baring it before others, leaving it unprotected for countless criticism. It was a good try, but Miss Hanson needs more experience in order to reach that place that S.C Stephens, J...more
I won this book from a blog's giveaway, and the author generously gave me a copy of the book. This does not influence my review.
A Healing Heart is a story about a girl named Bailey who has had a horrific tragedy happen early in her life. She is struggling with nightmares and getting over this event when a boy enters her life, Collin. He seems to be the way she can break out of her grief. Then things get complicated when his beautiful friend Savannah re-enters his life.
There is a lot to like abou...more
A Healing Heart is a story about a girl named Bailey who has had a horrific tragedy happen early in her life. She is struggling with nightmares and getting over this event when a boy enters her life, Collin. He seems to be the way she can break out of her grief. Then things get complicated when his beautiful friend Savannah re-enters his life.
There is a lot to like abou...more
There are good things and bad things about reading as many books as I do.
The good: You develop a stellar library of words. However, unless you need to insult someone without them realizing it, it’s next to useless.
The bad: You can read so many books that you forget about the books that you read. (Say that five times fast.)
That is exactly what happened with Melissa Hanson’s novel “A Healing Heart.” I forgot that I read it. (Sorry Melissa)
I know what you are thinking. “How in the Sam-hell (stupid...more
The good: You develop a stellar library of words. However, unless you need to insult someone without them realizing it, it’s next to useless.
The bad: You can read so many books that you forget about the books that you read. (Say that five times fast.)
That is exactly what happened with Melissa Hanson’s novel “A Healing Heart.” I forgot that I read it. (Sorry Melissa)
I know what you are thinking. “How in the Sam-hell (stupid...more
Bailey, having lost her whole family, tries to keep on living with the deep pain of loss and survivors guilt. Helping her keep from deep despair is a little boy, Riley, show she babysits. Eileen, the boys mother, becomes an example of strength. Bailey has grown to love them dearly. Then... literally running into Collin turns out to be the best thing, in a long time, to happen to her.
Collin, having his own loss, focuses his life around his little sister, Lacey, making sure she has what she needs...more
Collin, having his own loss, focuses his life around his little sister, Lacey, making sure she has what she needs...more
Okay, first I want to thank Melissa for the book!
I LOVE when the two persons implicated in the book tell their side of the history, is a very good way to get attached to the book and not bore. In this case I’m going to omit Savannah narration because she wasn’t really really the narrator, although his side of history remind me of the evil bitch always present in the books.
I thought that this book would be the typical tragic book, she cries a lot and he help her to discover that the life it’s go...more
I LOVE when the two persons implicated in the book tell their side of the history, is a very good way to get attached to the book and not bore. In this case I’m going to omit Savannah narration because she wasn’t really really the narrator, although his side of history remind me of the evil bitch always present in the books.
I thought that this book would be the typical tragic book, she cries a lot and he help her to discover that the life it’s go...more
I love reading a book that genuinely tugs at my heart strings and A Healing Heart did just that. This book was just a good ol' sweet romance that makes your heart melt. I felt such a range of emotions while reading this book. I went from smiling and cheerful to sad and crying and then happy and then angry and then in the end satisfied.
Bailey was such a likable character. You can't help but feel for her and want the best for her. She has been through an unthinkable tragedy and then comes along C...more
Bailey was such a likable character. You can't help but feel for her and want the best for her. She has been through an unthinkable tragedy and then comes along C...more
This is a different kind of young adult book. With the surplus of books on the paranormal, it was refreshing to read something a bit more literary.
The book’s premise is good. It captivates the reader from the beginning, and since the novel is fast-paced, we stay interested all the way through. The main character, Bailey, is dealing with the loss of her entire family, and we get to see her change throughout the book, making her a well-rounded character. The rest of them are fine, not memorable, b...more
The book’s premise is good. It captivates the reader from the beginning, and since the novel is fast-paced, we stay interested all the way through. The main character, Bailey, is dealing with the loss of her entire family, and we get to see her change throughout the book, making her a well-rounded character. The rest of them are fine, not memorable, b...more
First, a big thank you to Ms. Hanson for the opportunity to read and review her book!
Bailey has been through a lot in her young life - losing all of her immediate family. Many young people would not be able to cope with that at all. With the help of her aunt and uncle who take her in, and little Riley whom she babysits and gives her the unconditional love that she craves, she is slowly starting to come out of the dark place that she has been inhabititing for the last two years. And then she meet...more
Bailey has been through a lot in her young life - losing all of her immediate family. Many young people would not be able to cope with that at all. With the help of her aunt and uncle who take her in, and little Riley whom she babysits and gives her the unconditional love that she craves, she is slowly starting to come out of the dark place that she has been inhabititing for the last two years. And then she meet...more
This was a beautiful book. A real nice teen romance. This book started out with a bang. Then it kinda slacked off for a little bit then got really good again. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was that it was a little slow in parts. But I understand Melissa's thinking. During this time there was the building of the relationship and development of the characters - Bailey and Collin, which was vital to the story.
The character development was great. The story switches back and forth b...more
The character development was great. The story switches back and forth b...more
Kindle Version (gifted to me by author for an honest review)
Bailey is just an average teenage girl on her way home with her family from a little family trip to see nearby friends, when her life is changed forever and she becomes a teenage girl with a broken heart. On their way home they were in a horrible car accident that left only Bailey alive, killing her Mom, Dad, little brother, and little sister. Bailey is sent to live wither her aunt and uncle, who are very nice people that she loves very...more
Bailey is just an average teenage girl on her way home with her family from a little family trip to see nearby friends, when her life is changed forever and she becomes a teenage girl with a broken heart. On their way home they were in a horrible car accident that left only Bailey alive, killing her Mom, Dad, little brother, and little sister. Bailey is sent to live wither her aunt and uncle, who are very nice people that she loves very...more
This is a sweet love story. A story of loss, love, and friendship. I found myself quite enjoying this, more than I expected. Both Bailey and Collin are very appealing, easy to relate to characters, in fact, I found myself wishing Collin was real. :) The relationship between the two developed naturally and believably. I also enjoyed the friendships between Bailey and Mia and Natasha, they added a nice humorous touch. And I absolutely loved 2-year-old Riley, he reminded me a great deal of my adora...more
Feb 27, 2012
Hannah*Inky*
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
14-up,
2011-2012,
e-book,
epic,
family,
favorite,
fiction,
clean,
books-i-own,
gripping,
friendship,
gr8-heroine,
inspiring,
language,
must-read,
lessons-learned,
life-changing,
romance,
ya,
sad-story,
reviewed-on-blog,
from-author-4-review
This book was one of those beautiful achy books that make you tingle when you read it. It was such an incredible story of redemption and healing. The Connection and Romance between Collin and Bailey was just gorgeous. I gobbled up the e-copy I got from Melissa so fast.
One aspect of the book that I loved was the way that she would give you a little taste of Collin's and sometimes Savannah's perspective. In the parts when she did it, it was just right and it gave it the 3D look into their relatio...more
One aspect of the book that I loved was the way that she would give you a little taste of Collin's and sometimes Savannah's perspective. In the parts when she did it, it was just right and it gave it the 3D look into their relatio...more
I received this book from the author for an honest review. This was a sweet romance novel about overcoming grief and becoming stronger, and falling in love.
This story was told by three different people: Bailey, Collin, and Savannah. Bailey starts off as an almost 17 year old girl that has been getting over the deaths of her family for the past couple years, and is constantly having nightmares. Then after a chance run in with Collin, her life begins to change for the better. I really loved both o...more
This story was told by three different people: Bailey, Collin, and Savannah. Bailey starts off as an almost 17 year old girl that has been getting over the deaths of her family for the past couple years, and is constantly having nightmares. Then after a chance run in with Collin, her life begins to change for the better. I really loved both o...more
I am a sucker for good YA, I usually find myself reading YA with fluff and paranormal theme. A Healing Heart was a great change to that stereotypical reading.
What attracted me most to the book was the word building, and Melissa did a great job bringing her characters to life. Making them so believable. I simply adored reading about Collin and Bailey, my only complain is the story ended to soon.
What I struggled with was, sometimes character would go on a bit longer than necessary with their own m...more
What attracted me most to the book was the word building, and Melissa did a great job bringing her characters to life. Making them so believable. I simply adored reading about Collin and Bailey, my only complain is the story ended to soon.
What I struggled with was, sometimes character would go on a bit longer than necessary with their own m...more
This book grabbed me from the prologue, the first 2 pages of the book. The prologue sets up the basis of the story and recreates the car accident that wipes out Bailey's whole family. Her mom, dad, brother and sister, all gone. Just like that! How intense!
Bailey then goes to live with her aunt, her mom's identical twin sister. Oh my, that must have been heartbreaking. To 'see' your mom everyday, but it's really not your mom. Just a reminder that she is not there anymore.
One day at school Baile...more
Bailey then goes to live with her aunt, her mom's identical twin sister. Oh my, that must have been heartbreaking. To 'see' your mom everyday, but it's really not your mom. Just a reminder that she is not there anymore.
One day at school Baile...more
3.5/5
OVERALL IMPRESSION: This story is told mostly from Bailey (the main character) point of view with snippets from Collin (the love interest) and Savannah (an antagonist). To me this is a "feel good book" but it also deals with some major hardships. I feel myself struggling through the story just as Bailey does. This was a wonderful book to read and I enjoyed every minute of it.
CHARACTERS: Bailey is such a great character. She has had to overcome so much in the short life that she has lived so...more
OVERALL IMPRESSION: This story is told mostly from Bailey (the main character) point of view with snippets from Collin (the love interest) and Savannah (an antagonist). To me this is a "feel good book" but it also deals with some major hardships. I feel myself struggling through the story just as Bailey does. This was a wonderful book to read and I enjoyed every minute of it.
CHARACTERS: Bailey is such a great character. She has had to overcome so much in the short life that she has lived so...more
Reviewed on Clean Teen Fiction
This book was so great! I love when a book opens my heart and emotions. Bailey had suffered so much in her young life. She was the sole survivor of a car crash that killed her parents and two siblings. I couldn't imagine that! The author explores all those emotions involved in that healing process. Bailey goes to live with her aunt and uncle who's two kids are off to college. Obviously Bailey had some difficult moments, but babysitting little Riley was the sunshin...more
This book was so great! I love when a book opens my heart and emotions. Bailey had suffered so much in her young life. She was the sole survivor of a car crash that killed her parents and two siblings. I couldn't imagine that! The author explores all those emotions involved in that healing process. Bailey goes to live with her aunt and uncle who's two kids are off to college. Obviously Bailey had some difficult moments, but babysitting little Riley was the sunshin...more
I liked the plot, I really did. I thought it was sweet and all that. But I just didn't like the plainness in it. It was bland and there wasn't a kick in the story. Maybe a little rushed. Nevertheless, The good points were that the characters were rather realistic and Collin was really drool-worthy. It was very inspirational and motivational for me, especially since it was read in one of my "dark times" of my year. However, cliches aren't my things, especially those where girl and boy falls head...more
I was really excited to read this book, but i over estimated my expectations. It's a good book with a good overall story line, but I honestly think it was rushed too much. It lacked a lot of detail so you never really got into an emotional bond with the book or the characters. It's not a completely blah book, like i said it was good for just something to read, just definately not a book to be wowed by. :/
This was really sweet, and not a "this is so cheesy" sweet that I always call out on, well alright it had it's moments but it never went too far. It's so simple and yet it's that simplicity that made it great.
Read it in two days how I managed to put it down in between I don't know. I actually found myself longing to go home and finish it. I can't say the last time I did that for a book.
I loved (and hate) that it made me feel something, I was so immersed in it.
Only problem: I couldn't exactly buy...more
Read it in two days how I managed to put it down in between I don't know. I actually found myself longing to go home and finish it. I can't say the last time I did that for a book.
I loved (and hate) that it made me feel something, I was so immersed in it.
Only problem: I couldn't exactly buy...more
Review can be found here:
http://romancebookie.blogspot.com/201...
http://romancebookie.blogspot.com/201...
Apr 09, 2013
Phyllis
marked it as to-read
Mar 17, 2013
Zoe
marked it as to-read
Feb 08, 2013
Barry
marked it as to-read
Dec 04, 2012
♥Beauty With a Brain♥
marked it as to-read
Nov 17, 2012
Felicia
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| We ♥ YA Books! : ARR # 35 - A HEALING HEART by Melissa Hanson | 52 | 142 | Oct 05, 2012 01:37pm | |
| Young Adult Reads: Debut YA romance | 1 | 8 | May 30, 2012 08:40pm |
Melissa A. Hanson lives in Southern California, with her husband and two sons. She attended Cal Poly Pomona and obtained her Bachelor of Architecture degree while working and starting her family. Aside from working as a professional architect, she is a scrapbooker and avid reader. “A Healing Heart” is her first completed novel.
More about Melissa A. Hanson...
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“Maybe the potential for agony and loss is what makes love itself that much stronger, knowing that it all can be gone in an instant, so you live life like there may not be a tomorrow.”
—
2 people liked it
“I really believe that things happen for reasons. While we're going through it, we don't know why, but somewhere down the road we'll understand. Each experience in life teaches us something; it helps us grow and be a better person.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
updated Sep 02, 2012 05:29pm
Thanks for letting me know!
Sep 02, 2012 05:20pm