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Breaking Fate #1
As I Close My Eyes
When she looks into her own eyes, she sees a ghost.
And when she looks into his eyes, she knows she has seen them before ...
Danielle Grayson is a beautiful, intelligent young woman in present-day Georgia, but when she closes her eyes, she becomes someone else in a different time, one hundred years earlier in fact.
Danielle's other life is as entrancing and romantic as her current one, and the contrast between the lifestyles is intriguing and enlightening, but what starts out as being dreamlike soon becomes real and strangely familiar.
Worse, whatever happens to her as Danielle seems to change the past, if it is a true past.
And when she finds she is not alone in being able to flip between the two worlds, life, love and death become increasingly disturbing.
And when she looks into his eyes, she knows she has seen them before ...
Danielle Grayson is a beautiful, intelligent young woman in present-day Georgia, but when she closes her eyes, she becomes someone else in a different time, one hundred years earlier in fact.
Danielle's other life is as entrancing and romantic as her current one, and the contrast between the lifestyles is intriguing and enlightening, but what starts out as being dreamlike soon becomes real and strangely familiar.
Worse, whatever happens to her as Danielle seems to change the past, if it is a true past.
And when she finds she is not alone in being able to flip between the two worlds, life, love and death become increasingly disturbing.
278 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2012
20 people are currently reading
769 people want to read
About the author
Sarah DiCello
4 books50 followersSarah DiCello lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. She graduated from Shippensburg University with a degree in Communications/Journalism.
Sarah has two new adult, fictional novels out, "As I Close My Eyes" and the sequel, "As I Wake". She writes non-fiction under the pen name, Elisabeth Collins. Her first non-fiction book, "Fire Within: A Surrogate's Journey" will debut in early March 2014.
Sarah has two new adult, fictional novels out, "As I Close My Eyes" and the sequel, "As I Wake". She writes non-fiction under the pen name, Elisabeth Collins. Her first non-fiction book, "Fire Within: A Surrogate's Journey" will debut in early March 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 16, 2012
Read this book in 5 days! Caroline and Dani's characters both sucked me in. Well written, and great story. I thought I would get lost with the flashbacks, but it was very easy to follow.
July 21, 2012
I rarely ever rate a book a one star if I finish it. I'm doing that now for I think the first or second time. I'm not really sure what this books premise was or what actually happened.
So, you know the synopsis of the book from reading that. I'll save you those details.
This book was kind of odd the way it was set up with the past flashbacks. It had a unique idea and I love time travel books so I was really hoping it would have a strong set. I had high hopes for this book and it just fell really really flat.
I liked Danielle's character in the beginning of the book and by the end, I just couldn't relate. She didn't act like any 18 year old girl I have ever been around and she just fell very flat as a character. Danielle has an accident in the first several pages of the book. After that, she starts having flashbacks while dreaming to the 1870's and she sees the world as Caroline. She lives in the modern world as Danielle where she meets Ben. Ok, when I say meet, I mean she sees him in a restuaruant and then somewhat stalks him town for a week until she gathers the courage to introduce herself to him.
Guess what happens next...INSTALOVE. Now, I can get behind soul mates and falling in love at first sight if it is done right. This was not. You were basically told they were in love rather than being shown the love developing or why the characters fall in love. The only reason that I could tell was because Danielle felt connected to Ben .
You go through this book watching these two swoon over each other and find water sources .
Danielle is all over the place mentally. I get that she thinks she is crazy especially when she learns her dreams have actually happen. However, she kind of falls off the deep end and makes some crazy decisions.
Danielle tells Ben about these crazy dreams and he tells her they are happening for a reason and starts to help her research (awwwwww). He has a bit of character forgetfulness though. There are parts where it seems like his character is written one way and then the personality of the character changes It just didn't flow properly.
Dani also cuts off everybody in her life at one point because she is mad and that just doesn't make since. Especially enough to run to England to try and “find yourself” but then spend the entire time mourning what you left behind.
There are also some unanswered questions.
1.) The description of this books says “And when she finds she is not alone in being able to flip between the two worlds, life, love and death become increasingly disturbing”. Nowhere in this book does it talk about another character who is also dreaming about the past like this. I'm going to assume it means that Dani recognizes people from her current life in the past life, but this part of the description is a bit misleading (I was waiting the entire book for this to happen).
2.)
I gave this a try cause it was free, but I won't keep up on this series. Which is sad, cause it was a great premise for a book.
So, you know the synopsis of the book from reading that. I'll save you those details.
This book was kind of odd the way it was set up with the past flashbacks. It had a unique idea and I love time travel books so I was really hoping it would have a strong set. I had high hopes for this book and it just fell really really flat.
I liked Danielle's character in the beginning of the book and by the end, I just couldn't relate. She didn't act like any 18 year old girl I have ever been around and she just fell very flat as a character. Danielle has an accident in the first several pages of the book. After that, she starts having flashbacks while dreaming to the 1870's and she sees the world as Caroline. She lives in the modern world as Danielle where she meets Ben. Ok, when I say meet, I mean she sees him in a restuaruant and then somewhat stalks him town for a week until she gathers the courage to introduce herself to him.
Guess what happens next...INSTALOVE. Now, I can get behind soul mates and falling in love at first sight if it is done right. This was not. You were basically told they were in love rather than being shown the love developing or why the characters fall in love. The only reason that I could tell was because Danielle felt connected to Ben .
You go through this book watching these two swoon over each other and find water sources .
Danielle is all over the place mentally. I get that she thinks she is crazy especially when she learns her dreams have actually happen. However, she kind of falls off the deep end and makes some crazy decisions.
Danielle tells Ben about these crazy dreams and he tells her they are happening for a reason and starts to help her research (awwwwww). He has a bit of character forgetfulness though. There are parts where it seems like his character is written one way and then the personality of the character changes It just didn't flow properly.
Dani also cuts off everybody in her life at one point because she is mad and that just doesn't make since. Especially enough to run to England to try and “find yourself” but then spend the entire time mourning what you left behind.
There are also some unanswered questions.
1.) The description of this books says “And when she finds she is not alone in being able to flip between the two worlds, life, love and death become increasingly disturbing”. Nowhere in this book does it talk about another character who is also dreaming about the past like this. I'm going to assume it means that Dani recognizes people from her current life in the past life, but this part of the description is a bit misleading (I was waiting the entire book for this to happen).
2.)
I gave this a try cause it was free, but I won't keep up on this series. Which is sad, cause it was a great premise for a book.
August 27, 2012
This is a really great book! As a teacher, I highly recommend it for use in high school classrooms.
Plot: The book was a bit short, but that's fine: a book ends where it ends. Also, this just means I want more.
The book uses an interesting plot device at the beginning and the same one at the end to trigger a shift in the character. I don't want to give away any spoilers here, but let's say the plot device is one that I have not encountered elsewhere.
Also, the plot is very positive, which I absolutely enjoy and admire. It's positive *and* interesting. The main characters have a healthy relationship, rather than a messy one which is hard to pull off as an author. Most heads turn toward drama rather than happiness.
This is all a unconventional which may not be comfortable for some. Most readers like their books to be like shoes instead of flippers. However, as a reader, I look for books like this one.
Imagery: The author spatially describes scenes very clearly. I don't feel like I'm asking myself, 'how did that get there'? or 'wait, how did we get there'?
Meaning: For those of us looking to advance the frontiers of positive relationships, this book is great. On a spiritual level, the book also deals with what reads suspiciously as past life regression. In fact, the author describes this in such detail that I wonder if she has experienced a glimpse of one. So, thumbs up for that, too.
Characters & settings: This is good, can be better. The teacups in the Marcum house could use a little more period appropriate detail. While in the past, describe a rug here, a lawn there [mowing was a bit more work]. Maybe someone has a scar? What was Justin/John's birthmark shaped like? There was quite a bit of detail, I just personally prefer a bit more as long as it does not affect the pace of the story.
Without giving in to spoilers, I cannot analyze much further. Suffice it to say, the book is a great read with refreshingly new ways of writing. I'm looking forward to her future books!
Plot: The book was a bit short, but that's fine: a book ends where it ends. Also, this just means I want more.
The book uses an interesting plot device at the beginning and the same one at the end to trigger a shift in the character. I don't want to give away any spoilers here, but let's say the plot device is one that I have not encountered elsewhere.
Also, the plot is very positive, which I absolutely enjoy and admire. It's positive *and* interesting. The main characters have a healthy relationship, rather than a messy one which is hard to pull off as an author. Most heads turn toward drama rather than happiness.
This is all a unconventional which may not be comfortable for some. Most readers like their books to be like shoes instead of flippers. However, as a reader, I look for books like this one.
Imagery: The author spatially describes scenes very clearly. I don't feel like I'm asking myself, 'how did that get there'? or 'wait, how did we get there'?
Meaning: For those of us looking to advance the frontiers of positive relationships, this book is great. On a spiritual level, the book also deals with what reads suspiciously as past life regression. In fact, the author describes this in such detail that I wonder if she has experienced a glimpse of one. So, thumbs up for that, too.
Characters & settings: This is good, can be better. The teacups in the Marcum house could use a little more period appropriate detail. While in the past, describe a rug here, a lawn there [mowing was a bit more work]. Maybe someone has a scar? What was Justin/John's birthmark shaped like? There was quite a bit of detail, I just personally prefer a bit more as long as it does not affect the pace of the story.
Without giving in to spoilers, I cannot analyze much further. Suffice it to say, the book is a great read with refreshingly new ways of writing. I'm looking forward to her future books!
April 1, 2013
Where do I start? Reincarnation dreams aside, I had a hard time swallowing most of this. First of all, a little research wouldn't have gone amiss. After a skiing accident gives her a concusion, Danielle begins having dreams/visions of hereself in 1878 in an alternate life. You need to know more than just what clothing people wore and what buildings were standing at a certain time. Events move at the speed of light. 18 year old Dani meets a man who is 26 and 2 pages later they are pledging undying love to each other. Dani's mother has no trouble letting Dani travel around with this older man that none of them really know anything about. Later, within one week, she suddenly decides to study in Europe for a semester. She makes the commitment and then tells her mother and asks for $2,000 to pay for it. Again, her mother seems just fine with this and forks over the money with no questins asked. Duh...
I almost stopped reading this but it is really hard for me to do that, even when it is this unbelieveable.
I almost stopped reading this but it is really hard for me to do that, even when it is this unbelieveable.
January 27, 2013
Started off a little shaky, but as the book progressed, it got better and better, and by the end, I truly loved almost everything about it. But that ending?! It was insane! Thankfully I have book #2. :)
Review coming soon...
Review coming soon...
October 2, 2012
Another one of those that I did not realize was going to be a series. Was looking for an easy read on my kindle and now I need to get the next book to see what happens next!
November 3, 2012
As I Close My Eyes has to be one of the most interesting, thought provoking, and frustrating, books that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It reached into my mind and brought out feelings that I'd never felt before while reading a book. Just as Danielle’s reality was spinning, so was mine with its own fantastic world of intrigue. As I Close My Eyes is truly an amazing yet frustrating novel, a kick-off to an very interesting new teen series. I can’t wait to see where Sarah goes with this story.
The theme for this novel is a very genius one indeed. A perfect blend of historical and present day with a little paranormal thrown in. Sarah smoothly translates us between Cape May in the 1800’s and present day Sugar Hill / Lake Lanier Georgia. It makes us believe that both worlds exist next to each other.
Danielle is a college student in Georgia, she's your average 18 year old girl and is kind of a bookworm. She has a water skiing accident and her life changes. Each time she goes to sleep she is transported to Cape May 1878, living the life of Caroline Marcum. When Danielle and her best friend Shannon take a weekend getaway to The Falls, Danielle sees a man she feels she knows, even though she's never meet him in her life. Going between Danielle and Caroline, is turning her life upside down.
For the complete review visit http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com :)
December 24, 2012
Danielle Grayson is your typical 18 year old college student living in the great southern state of Georgia. Her favorite things are hanging out with her friends on the lake and getting ready to start her second year of college. When an accident at the lake has Danielle remembering a past life, she thinks she may be going crazy. Every time she closes her eyes she travels back in time. In her flashback everyone calls her Caroline. Many of her family are with her also as different people. How is she dreaming of things that happened over one hundred years ago?
She also meets the handsome and older Ben. He looks so familiar to her. She feels like she has know him all her life and maybe even longer than that. With Ben's help Danielle tries to figure out just why this is happening to her. And maybe true love does really stand the test of time.
First, I want to thank the author for gifting this book to me for a fair and honest review. This is a very unique story. It took me a little while to figure out what is going on. I don't think I have ever read a book with such a unique storyline. The characters are wonderful. Danielle is such a complex character. She has had a lot of trauma and sadness in her eighteen years of life. It is wonderful when she and Ben find each other. The flashback/dream storyline is an exciting twist. You will loose many hours of sleep finishing up this book.
She also meets the handsome and older Ben. He looks so familiar to her. She feels like she has know him all her life and maybe even longer than that. With Ben's help Danielle tries to figure out just why this is happening to her. And maybe true love does really stand the test of time.
First, I want to thank the author for gifting this book to me for a fair and honest review. This is a very unique story. It took me a little while to figure out what is going on. I don't think I have ever read a book with such a unique storyline. The characters are wonderful. Danielle is such a complex character. She has had a lot of trauma and sadness in her eighteen years of life. It is wonderful when she and Ben find each other. The flashback/dream storyline is an exciting twist. You will loose many hours of sleep finishing up this book.
August 8, 2012
Danielle. The main character. Young and full of hopes and dreams of her future. Her youthful summer filled with hanging out with her lifelong friends enjoying their company and the bright warm sunshine, until she has an accident...an accident that I thought had life altering consequences. The mystery begins as to why she is having vivid dreams and it starts to unravel as she investigates the potential reasons for them. As she gets closer to solving the mystery, she meets Ben. The two of them attempt to overcome the obstacles that the dreams cause, for Danielle goes into her vivid dreams at the most inconvient times. The end of the mystery is, what I also thought in sight, when suddenly the story changes completely leaves you guessing at the end..
This was good reading. A little frustrating at the end, as it makes you ask "What?" I am going to look for the sequel in December this year and perhaps it will be within that book that I will get an answer to the "What?" question and find out what really happened to Danielle.
This was good reading. A little frustrating at the end, as it makes you ask "What?" I am going to look for the sequel in December this year and perhaps it will be within that book that I will get an answer to the "What?" question and find out what really happened to Danielle.
September 25, 2012
One of my very best friends wrote this book. However, I am pretty objective by nature. I have watched this novel evolve from its very start...a dream. And still, I was surprised and intrigued at every new chapter. What a page-turner!! And what a clever concept for a novel! As a frequent visitor to Cape May, I also appreciated the authenticity of the historical and geographical references. The novel's ending is abrupt, but it sets up the sequel, which DiCello is currently writing...so we'll all just have to remain in suspense a while longer... Great first novel!!
November 12, 2012
I only thing I have to complain about it has a little slack confusing beginning, which at first makes you think is a cliché kind of writing, and the end. It's not the kind of end I would have liked and it frustrates me when the end can imply a thousand different things and you aren't sure which one it is actually supposed to imply (and maybe you didn't even think about the true original one!).
Otherwise, it's a delightful book, captures you with the story and the present and past of it, and it's pace is neither too fast nor too shor, so you don't feel too rushed or bored.
Otherwise, it's a delightful book, captures you with the story and the present and past of it, and it's pace is neither too fast nor too shor, so you don't feel too rushed or bored.
August 23, 2012
I was going to give this one a solid '3' until I got to the last 15% of the book. Wth happened there? It completely detours off the path it had been on, and then a big revelation that was seemingly pointless, and then when I read the very last sentence of the book I wanted to throw it across the room.
September 6, 2012
The title of this book says that it is "Book #1." I cannot wait for Book #2, which, happily, is being published at the end of this year. Simply put, I really enjoyed this quirky, sweet story about a young woman remembering a past life in her dreams, finding the parallels in her current life, and discovering who she is along the way. Interesting ending...
August 7, 2012
Actually didn't finish this one. It was a Kindle freebie and I shouldn't download so many freebies! You get what you pay for. The premise sounded good. Maybe if I was 18 years old I would have liked it.
October 3, 2012
I loved it!! At first I thought it was kind of boring, but as I read on I couldn't put it down. Got as a free ebook on my Kindle Fire and am happy I did. Can't wait till the sequel comes out. Just hope I can get it as a free ebook also. Just love that Ben went to England to find Dank.
July 17, 2012
Excellent book! It was a real page-turner! I could not put it down, and it had an unexpected ending!
July 28, 2012
Could not put it down. A page turner for sure. I hope that there is a 2nd book. Can't wait.
August 5, 2012
I loved this book and I can't wait for the next one.
January 18, 2013
Great book - easy read yet intriguing. Sequel (As I Wake) is also great. Can't wait for #3!
July 26, 2012
I cannot wait for the sequel!
February 28, 2020
A bit 2 dimensional
It was an interesting concept. The characters seemed really off. Their interactions didn't make much sense to me and the conversation and connections feel flat.
It was an interesting concept. The characters seemed really off. Their interactions didn't make much sense to me and the conversation and connections feel flat.
December 15, 2013
As I Close My Eyes: Other reviews at The Book Babe's Reads.
I can honestly say that I didn't like this book at all. I went into it with good thoughts - but I came out severely discouraged. I liked the idea behind As I Close My Eyes, but for me it just didn't deliver. We never get a real answer for why Danielle is slipping back and forth between worlds, and I feel like too much of the story was focused on the insta-love between Danielle and Ben.
It was just too hard for me to get into. The writing was very choppy in the beginning - which usually doesn't matter, because sometimes it takes a little bit for me to adjust to certain writing styles. But I never adjusted to this one - it was a jarring narrative.
But that wasn't my biggest problem - my biggest problem lay with our main character, Danielle. She's trying so hard to be an adult, but she's just failing so miserably. Her mom cleans her room (!!), but she's "18 and I can do what I want". I just didn't like that. I don't really like her, to tell the truth. Dani's mom is said to be "so protective", but she doesn't even blink at the idea of a boy staying over while they were gone. I just couldn't get behind her. She was flat, and I saw no inflection in her dialogue, or feeling from her at all. She was just... boring to me. I was disappointed with the lack of characterization and development of the characters in this book - Danielle was not the only one that I disliked. But she was the most dislikable one. She never tries to make any of her relationships work.
Don't even get me started on Ben - I don't understand why they were together, honestly. They met* and then they fell in love instantly - that upset me. They were declaring their love and wanting to be together forever... but... I didn't feel it. At all. Ben was kind of a jerk. He "loves her", but he was always trying to make her a different person. He tells her not to embarrass him. I just don't find that to be an acceptable relationship - he never apologizes or anything, and he repeatedly tells her (paraphrased) "not to act crazy" or "don't pass out and embarrass me". No. Just no. There is no reason for that - it seems like an unhealthy relationship. The romance was so disappointing. And honestly, I wasn't even looking for a romance with this one - I was looking to find out about the other person who can flip time; yet I never even got a hint of it. Not to mention the fact that the ending was a big cliffhanger - and super melodramatic.
I'm going to admit that I skimmed the last thirty pages or so. There was just so much meaningless drama, and it all added up to... nothing. The plot felt like it was just thrown together. I don't think that the author knew where she was going when she started.
As I Close My Eyes had the potential to be a good book - but it didn't deliver at all. In all honesty, I couldn't believe the amount of cliches that this book had in it. "The tall, handsome stranger who I felt a deep connection to instantly."
I wanted to see more flashbacks, the reason that I started this book - but they were few and far between. And they honestly didn't make a lot of sense - I have no idea how they related to Danielle's life in the future.
All in all, As I Close My Eyes really wasn't my thing. I wish that I could have loved it - or even liked it. But I didn't.
*actually, I lied. They didn't meet - Danielle saw him across the room in a restaurant, then again in the bookstore that he owns. Then she stalks him until he asks her out.
I can honestly say that I didn't like this book at all. I went into it with good thoughts - but I came out severely discouraged. I liked the idea behind As I Close My Eyes, but for me it just didn't deliver. We never get a real answer for why Danielle is slipping back and forth between worlds, and I feel like too much of the story was focused on the insta-love between Danielle and Ben.
It was just too hard for me to get into. The writing was very choppy in the beginning - which usually doesn't matter, because sometimes it takes a little bit for me to adjust to certain writing styles. But I never adjusted to this one - it was a jarring narrative.
But that wasn't my biggest problem - my biggest problem lay with our main character, Danielle. She's trying so hard to be an adult, but she's just failing so miserably. Her mom cleans her room (!!), but she's "18 and I can do what I want". I just didn't like that. I don't really like her, to tell the truth. Dani's mom is said to be "so protective", but she doesn't even blink at the idea of a boy staying over while they were gone. I just couldn't get behind her. She was flat, and I saw no inflection in her dialogue, or feeling from her at all. She was just... boring to me. I was disappointed with the lack of characterization and development of the characters in this book - Danielle was not the only one that I disliked. But she was the most dislikable one. She never tries to make any of her relationships work.
Don't even get me started on Ben - I don't understand why they were together, honestly. They met* and then they fell in love instantly - that upset me. They were declaring their love and wanting to be together forever... but... I didn't feel it. At all. Ben was kind of a jerk. He "loves her", but he was always trying to make her a different person. He tells her not to embarrass him. I just don't find that to be an acceptable relationship - he never apologizes or anything, and he repeatedly tells her (paraphrased) "not to act crazy" or "don't pass out and embarrass me". No. Just no. There is no reason for that - it seems like an unhealthy relationship. The romance was so disappointing. And honestly, I wasn't even looking for a romance with this one - I was looking to find out about the other person who can flip time; yet I never even got a hint of it. Not to mention the fact that the ending was a big cliffhanger - and super melodramatic.
I'm going to admit that I skimmed the last thirty pages or so. There was just so much meaningless drama, and it all added up to... nothing. The plot felt like it was just thrown together. I don't think that the author knew where she was going when she started.
As I Close My Eyes had the potential to be a good book - but it didn't deliver at all. In all honesty, I couldn't believe the amount of cliches that this book had in it. "The tall, handsome stranger who I felt a deep connection to instantly."
I wanted to see more flashbacks, the reason that I started this book - but they were few and far between. And they honestly didn't make a lot of sense - I have no idea how they related to Danielle's life in the future.
All in all, As I Close My Eyes really wasn't my thing. I wish that I could have loved it - or even liked it. But I didn't.
*actually, I lied. They didn't meet - Danielle saw him across the room in a restaurant, then again in the bookstore that he owns. Then she stalks him until he asks her out.
June 11, 2015
Danielle Grayson, or Dani, is your average college student who spends most of her time with her three best friends. One day they are hanging out on a boat waterskiing and Danielle gets into an accident. She suffers a concussion and from then on, her life is turned upside down. She has a weird "dream" of some sort about a girl, named Caroline, living in the 1800s in Cape May, New Jersey. Except these dreams are starting to feel real for Danielle since the people in the dream are referring to her as Caroline..perhaps they are flashbacks? Danielle spends the weekend away with her best friend and while at dinner, she sees a man who she not only is strangely attracted to, but she feels like she also knows him. Later she realizes that this guy, Ben, is someone whom she recognizes from her flashbacks. She makes a point to meet Ben to see why not only is he in her flashbacks, but to understand why she has a strong connection to him. Ben and Dani immediately hit it off and as things continue, Ben vows to help her figure out what these strange, yet captivating flashbacks are all about and what it could mean for both of them. Sarah DiCello's debut, As I Close My Eyes, is a compelling story that fans of historical fiction, romance, and time travel will really enjoy.
Dani is an interesting character, especially when it came to the flashbacks to Caroline and Cape May. Although I didn't always agree with her decisions, I found her to be likable nonetheless. My one irritation was her insta-love with Ben. Yes, I realize they have a undeniable connection to each other, but their relationship didn't evolve; it immediately went from zero to sixty. Once I understood the history surrounding their relationship, it all made sense.
I especially liked the plot line surrounding Caroline in As I Close My Eyes. I loved the time travel aspects of this book, especially since it takes us back to Cape May 1800s. First of all, I LOVE Cape May and it's one of my favorite shore towns to visit. I was giddy with excitement when I realized that Caroline was living in Cape May. I love how DiCello incorporated famous landmarks into As I Close My Eyes, such as Congress Hall and Jackson Street. Cape May is such a fantastic and historic seashore town. It was the perfect location for As I Close My Eyes and I wish more historical reads were set in Cape May.
As I Close My Eyes started off a bit iffy, but as the story progressed, I found myself becoming more and more engrossed. Thankfully, I have a copy of the sequel As I Wake and after reading the cliffhanger in As I Close My Eyes, I can't wait to find out what happens next.
Dani is an interesting character, especially when it came to the flashbacks to Caroline and Cape May. Although I didn't always agree with her decisions, I found her to be likable nonetheless. My one irritation was her insta-love with Ben. Yes, I realize they have a undeniable connection to each other, but their relationship didn't evolve; it immediately went from zero to sixty. Once I understood the history surrounding their relationship, it all made sense.
I especially liked the plot line surrounding Caroline in As I Close My Eyes. I loved the time travel aspects of this book, especially since it takes us back to Cape May 1800s. First of all, I LOVE Cape May and it's one of my favorite shore towns to visit. I was giddy with excitement when I realized that Caroline was living in Cape May. I love how DiCello incorporated famous landmarks into As I Close My Eyes, such as Congress Hall and Jackson Street. Cape May is such a fantastic and historic seashore town. It was the perfect location for As I Close My Eyes and I wish more historical reads were set in Cape May.
As I Close My Eyes started off a bit iffy, but as the story progressed, I found myself becoming more and more engrossed. Thankfully, I have a copy of the sequel As I Wake and after reading the cliffhanger in As I Close My Eyes, I can't wait to find out what happens next.
December 27, 2012
Background: Danielle is an 18 year old girl who is living a normal life in Georgia, attending college and hanging out with the same group of friends she has had since she was young. On the first day of summer she has a nasty fall and gives herself a concussion and then begins having very weird realistic dreams about people in another time period. A few weeks later, on a weekend trip with her best friend, she sees a man that looks oddly familiar but she cannot place him, until she realizes that he is from her weird dreams.
Review: I have some likes and some dislikes with this book and I am a little torn about it. So I liked the plot it was interesting, I have read a few really bad time travel books and this one is interesting because it is more a dream state than time travel, so it was very cool to witness the occurrences taking place.
I disliked the romance, and there is a lot of romance. I found it very teenage 'OMG I AM SOOOOOO IN LOVE WITH YOU!' And it is supposed to be an 18 year old and a 26 year old. The age difference was fine, whatever, but the instant love was weird, I can understand a physical attraction but not an immediate feeling that you know everything about someone and you met them a week ago (I have been with my husband for years and we still learn things about one another...)So that was a downfall for this one.
I think Danielle is naive and has an issue with confidence which is kind of annoying but she does gain some composure through the story. Ben is very passionate and romantic and I have a feeling more female readers will swoon over him. Danielle's friends are a little annoying and stereotypical, you have the beautiful oblivious bestie, her arrogant boyfriend, and another guy friend who as we all know is friend-zoned for life.
I kept reading to hear more about the other time period and find some resolution as to why Danielle is experiencing this strange ability...sadly no explanation was available in book one...so I am reading on. I will let you know how that goes.
Review: I have some likes and some dislikes with this book and I am a little torn about it. So I liked the plot it was interesting, I have read a few really bad time travel books and this one is interesting because it is more a dream state than time travel, so it was very cool to witness the occurrences taking place.
I disliked the romance, and there is a lot of romance. I found it very teenage 'OMG I AM SOOOOOO IN LOVE WITH YOU!' And it is supposed to be an 18 year old and a 26 year old. The age difference was fine, whatever, but the instant love was weird, I can understand a physical attraction but not an immediate feeling that you know everything about someone and you met them a week ago (I have been with my husband for years and we still learn things about one another...)So that was a downfall for this one.
I think Danielle is naive and has an issue with confidence which is kind of annoying but she does gain some composure through the story. Ben is very passionate and romantic and I have a feeling more female readers will swoon over him. Danielle's friends are a little annoying and stereotypical, you have the beautiful oblivious bestie, her arrogant boyfriend, and another guy friend who as we all know is friend-zoned for life.
I kept reading to hear more about the other time period and find some resolution as to why Danielle is experiencing this strange ability...sadly no explanation was available in book one...so I am reading on. I will let you know how that goes.
November 3, 2012
This review and others can be found on my blog: https://simple-books.blogspot.com
I have to say, this book wasn't really as exciting as I thought it would be. It was okay.
I found it unrealistic. Even though it is a fantasy-ish historical book. But the unrealistic part to me was the romance between Danielle and Ben. I mean, they barely know each other and they're already in love. Also, she's 18 and he's 26 and both of their parents are okay with it. And they've done it. (It isn't really sexual, no descriptive words. Just said they did it without really saying it.) I mean, really. What parents would be okay with that huge 8 year gap. Yech. Not mines. Their 'love story' cannot even be possible. She was just like a stalker when she first met him.
But I thought the overall idea of the book was good and interesting. It gave us the idea of being able to have lived a different time and to be able to experience it.
I have to say though, I really liked Eric better than Ben. Ben is 8 years older than her! I mean, really. 8 years. 8. YEARS. 8 FREAKING YEARS. When we saw a bit of the more sophisticated Eric look during the end of the book, I found it attractive and apparently Danielle kind of did too.
I did not like Danielle's or Ben's character and mannerisms. They just weren't real enough for me.
Overall, if you're into the overly romantic type of books, steer for this! I'm just not really into that. Needless to say, I do not think I'll read the next book unless it has a more unique storyline. 3 Stars.
I have to say, this book wasn't really as exciting as I thought it would be. It was okay.
I found it unrealistic. Even though it is a fantasy-ish historical book. But the unrealistic part to me was the romance between Danielle and Ben. I mean, they barely know each other and they're already in love. Also, she's 18 and he's 26 and both of their parents are okay with it. And they've done it. (It isn't really sexual, no descriptive words. Just said they did it without really saying it.) I mean, really. What parents would be okay with that huge 8 year gap. Yech. Not mines. Their 'love story' cannot even be possible. She was just like a stalker when she first met him.
But I thought the overall idea of the book was good and interesting. It gave us the idea of being able to have lived a different time and to be able to experience it.
I have to say though, I really liked Eric better than Ben. Ben is 8 years older than her! I mean, really. 8 years. 8. YEARS. 8 FREAKING YEARS. When we saw a bit of the more sophisticated Eric look during the end of the book, I found it attractive and apparently Danielle kind of did too.
I did not like Danielle's or Ben's character and mannerisms. They just weren't real enough for me.
Overall, if you're into the overly romantic type of books, steer for this! I'm just not really into that. Needless to say, I do not think I'll read the next book unless it has a more unique storyline. 3 Stars.
September 4, 2013
I got this free from Amazon.
This book was a pleasant surprise. I found Georgia to be enticing. I want to go sail on a boat all day and do nothing but be with friends and a good book. Ok so I added in the book. haha
I enjoyed the dreams that happened in the book. The past grabbed me. The present was better, IMO. I liked the characters more which is odd because I usually enjoy historical fiction better.
I felt the idea behind the book to be creative and I liked how the author wrote and organized her book. Typically when books switch time periods I begin to get annoyed at the back and forth of it all but not with this book. Both time periods were of equal interest to me.
I didn't love the ending so much. I felt the heroine overreacted and rude but by the ending the author explained her actions a little bit better. I would have liked more information earlier on but it ended was very romantic.
There is another book in this series. I plan on reading it because I ended up really liking the characters and I felt the book was nicely executed. I am also really curious as to where the author is going to take the second book.
This book was a pleasant surprise. I found Georgia to be enticing. I want to go sail on a boat all day and do nothing but be with friends and a good book. Ok so I added in the book. haha
I enjoyed the dreams that happened in the book. The past grabbed me. The present was better, IMO. I liked the characters more which is odd because I usually enjoy historical fiction better.
I felt the idea behind the book to be creative and I liked how the author wrote and organized her book. Typically when books switch time periods I begin to get annoyed at the back and forth of it all but not with this book. Both time periods were of equal interest to me.
I didn't love the ending so much. I felt the heroine overreacted and rude but by the ending the author explained her actions a little bit better. I would have liked more information earlier on but it ended was very romantic.
There is another book in this series. I plan on reading it because I ended up really liking the characters and I felt the book was nicely executed. I am also really curious as to where the author is going to take the second book.
January 23, 2013
I really liked the reincarnation theme, so I wanted to like this book a lot more than I actually did. The dialogue was kind of cheesy, and the events in the story were implausible. I can't imagine just saying "OK, that's nice" if my eighteen year old daughter told me she was dating a 26 year old man. We would have a talk about that, for sure! I also can't imagine being so out of tune with my daughter that I would miss the fact that she had an accident, a concussion, and was passing out every other day. Why didn't Mom take the girl to the doctor for an MRI, for heaven's sake? The trip to England to study might have been OK, except that it was planned and executed-including getting a passport-in less than a week. That's completely unrealistic. I did like the flashbacks of life in the 1800's, though. I think a little revision would make this book a winner.
February 8, 2013
I was given this book by the author for an honest review.
Best part of the book: Ok, I read a lot and this story was much different that other "dream" stories. After an accident Danielle began have these "dreams" of her past life. Through all of this "strangeness" she meet Ben. I like Ben! He is helpful to her and she feels comfortable with him. Like she has knows him her whole life. Danielle's life is complex and I really felt sad for her. However, Ben was there for her and help her figure out the puzzle of her life and dreams.
Not so great about book: It was confusing at first. It took me a little bit to figure out when she was in her "dream" world and when she was in the real world. Also, the ending was a bit of a cliffhanger.
Overall, its a good book and a unique tale.
Best part of the book: Ok, I read a lot and this story was much different that other "dream" stories. After an accident Danielle began have these "dreams" of her past life. Through all of this "strangeness" she meet Ben. I like Ben! He is helpful to her and she feels comfortable with him. Like she has knows him her whole life. Danielle's life is complex and I really felt sad for her. However, Ben was there for her and help her figure out the puzzle of her life and dreams.
Not so great about book: It was confusing at first. It took me a little bit to figure out when she was in her "dream" world and when she was in the real world. Also, the ending was a bit of a cliffhanger.
Overall, its a good book and a unique tale.
February 25, 2016
I had really mixed feelings reading this book. I really wanted to like it because the concept of reincarnation really pulled my strings
I think its a good concept and a good quick read but I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for something a bit more substantial.
I think its a good concept and a good quick read but I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for something a bit more substantial.
August 4, 2012
Great story! I wished that it was written a little more eloquently. I also wished that the characters, Ben and Dani had more of a puritanical romantic relationship, rather than a steamy, passionate one. Oh, I long for Mr. Darcy! Still an awesome tale of how one's life is wrapped up in dreams, specifically, Dani's life. I was surprised Ben stuck with her, especially all he went through with her, the passing out to name one. No other guy would have stayed in the relationship! Seriously. I don't love the ending, of course, but it sets up for number 2, so I understand. I don't think I will be reading the next one.
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