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Letters to Nowhere #1
Letters to Nowhere
From the International Bestselling Author of the Tempest Series...
Set in the tough world of Elite Gymnastics...
I've gotten used to the dead parents face. I've gotten used to living with my gymnastics coach. I've even adjusted to sharing a bathroom with his way-too-hot son. Dealing with boys is not something that's made it onto my list of experiences as of yet. But here I am, doing it. And something about Jordan--being around him, talking to him, thinking about him--makes me feel like I can finally breathe again. That's something I haven't been able to do lately. He knows what it feels like to be me right now. He knows what it's like to wonder--what now? I think about it constantly. I need answers. I need to know how to get through this. In the gym, if you're struggling, you train harder, you do drills and conditioning. How do I work hard at moving on? At being on my own? And what happens if I might be...maybe...probably falling for Jordan? I mean we live together now. That can't happen, can it? But kissing him...well, let's just say it's not an easy activity to forget.
Set in the tough world of Elite Gymnastics...
I've gotten used to the dead parents face. I've gotten used to living with my gymnastics coach. I've even adjusted to sharing a bathroom with his way-too-hot son. Dealing with boys is not something that's made it onto my list of experiences as of yet. But here I am, doing it. And something about Jordan--being around him, talking to him, thinking about him--makes me feel like I can finally breathe again. That's something I haven't been able to do lately. He knows what it feels like to be me right now. He knows what it's like to wonder--what now? I think about it constantly. I need answers. I need to know how to get through this. In the gym, if you're struggling, you train harder, you do drills and conditioning. How do I work hard at moving on? At being on my own? And what happens if I might be...maybe...probably falling for Jordan? I mean we live together now. That can't happen, can it? But kissing him...well, let's just say it's not an easy activity to forget.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2013
20 people are currently reading
2703 people want to read
About the author
Julie Cross
23 books1,698 followersJulie Cross is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, including the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, Timestorm (St. Martin's Press). She's also the author of Letters to Nowhere series, Whatever Life Throws at You, Third Degree, Halfway Perfect, and many more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
December 11, 2013
Being a big fan of Julie Cross's Tempest series, I have no idea how I missed knowing about this series of hers before now, but I'm glad I came across it. Don't go into it expecting anything at all like Tempest, however, as this is a completely different genre. It proves that this is an author with more than one story to tell!
Letters to Nowhere is ultimately about surviving grief, set in the aftermath of a horrible accident that takes the life of Karen's parents. From the beginning I could already feel Karen's loss. Her emotions were dripping off of the pages, making vivid her grief, sorrow, and mental anguish. I found myself sympathetic towards her before I even got to know her. Forming a connection to her is made especially easy with the various letters scattered through the novel that exposes her innermost thoughts. Even out loud, I appreciated how realistic - and honest - she was about the more personal aspects of life, like teenage insecurities (including puberty) and romance. And this is where Jordan comes in. An equally well developed character, Jordan is just as much a listening ear as a safe haven for Karen. No matter how embarrassing the situation, he takes it head on. Having had to live through a tragedy of his own, Jordan is able to help her through her own, thus forming a bond that is hard to ignore. The romance that develops between them, unusual for a few reasons - one being their living arrangements, is impressively candid. From uncomfortable teenage insecurities to clumsy intimate moments, nothing is embellished to fit the mold of the idealized Hollywood love story trope. Some of it is sweet, some of it is awkward, and all of it is realistic.
The realism is not exclusive to the romance: The atypical family setting; Karen's relationships with various people from her teammates to her therapist; the competition and drive to be the best at your sport; every aspect of this story is wonderfully crafted. The sport in question is gymnastics; one I had not come across yet in my many sports-related YA reads. I do admit to being a tad overwhelmed by the gymnastic terms and sometimes lengthy description of routines and such. Not that it's very complicated or confusing, but more because, even though I enjoy watching it, the technicalities of it all is not especially interesting to me and this book had a large focus on just that. I found myself skipping some of the impertinent gym-related chatter after a while. I still enjoyed the sport theme overall, like seeing Karen fall and pick herself back up, as well as the whole competitive atmosphere.
Letters to Nowhere is a novel full of love, loss, and tragedy, told in the voice of a grief-stricken teenage girl. Fans of contemporary YA are sure to find themselves thoroughly invested in this emotional, yet hopeful story.
--
A copy was provided by the author for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
Letters to Nowhere is ultimately about surviving grief, set in the aftermath of a horrible accident that takes the life of Karen's parents. From the beginning I could already feel Karen's loss. Her emotions were dripping off of the pages, making vivid her grief, sorrow, and mental anguish. I found myself sympathetic towards her before I even got to know her. Forming a connection to her is made especially easy with the various letters scattered through the novel that exposes her innermost thoughts. Even out loud, I appreciated how realistic - and honest - she was about the more personal aspects of life, like teenage insecurities (including puberty) and romance. And this is where Jordan comes in. An equally well developed character, Jordan is just as much a listening ear as a safe haven for Karen. No matter how embarrassing the situation, he takes it head on. Having had to live through a tragedy of his own, Jordan is able to help her through her own, thus forming a bond that is hard to ignore. The romance that develops between them, unusual for a few reasons - one being their living arrangements, is impressively candid. From uncomfortable teenage insecurities to clumsy intimate moments, nothing is embellished to fit the mold of the idealized Hollywood love story trope. Some of it is sweet, some of it is awkward, and all of it is realistic.
The realism is not exclusive to the romance: The atypical family setting; Karen's relationships with various people from her teammates to her therapist; the competition and drive to be the best at your sport; every aspect of this story is wonderfully crafted. The sport in question is gymnastics; one I had not come across yet in my many sports-related YA reads. I do admit to being a tad overwhelmed by the gymnastic terms and sometimes lengthy description of routines and such. Not that it's very complicated or confusing, but more because, even though I enjoy watching it, the technicalities of it all is not especially interesting to me and this book had a large focus on just that. I found myself skipping some of the impertinent gym-related chatter after a while. I still enjoyed the sport theme overall, like seeing Karen fall and pick herself back up, as well as the whole competitive atmosphere.
Letters to Nowhere is a novel full of love, loss, and tragedy, told in the voice of a grief-stricken teenage girl. Fans of contemporary YA are sure to find themselves thoroughly invested in this emotional, yet hopeful story.
--
A copy was provided by the author for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
April 12, 2021
As soon as I finished reading Letters to Nowhere, I opened my MS Word instantly hoping I could express how sensational this book is but there are not enough adjectives, verb, or any word for that matter that could help me now.
Letters to Nowhere follows the story of Karen Campbell, who recently lost her parents in a car accident, not wanting to move with her Grandmother and leave her gymnastic career behind. Karen finds herself living with her gymnastic coach and his son Jordan.
When I started reading Letters to Nowhere, I asked myself would this turn into another typical orphan girl leading a miserable life and then here comes the hot boy saving her from herself? Oh Boy! I was wrong, completely and utterly wrong. Letters to Nowhere is very different than all YA Contemporary books out there and that’s saying something.
Cross’ incredible talent in writing showed immensely throughout the book as the plot goes on smoothly. I don’t have any problem getting into Karen’s story at all. She’s very relatable and I can feel the emotion, the pain that she’s going through. I couldn’t get enough of it. Jordan is a marvelous character too. He has one of the best character ARCs I have ever read. I love how he is always there for Karen, how he helped her immensely in coping and for a character his story has a stunning depth. The secondary characters Coach, Stevie and everyone are very well written and developed. They left such an impression on me. I’m not a sport person but I swear I could see the exhibition presenting in my very eyes. I’m honestly surprised how engrossed I am about the gymnastic stuff in the book.
One of the many things I love about this novel is the letters. I love reading them! Some are pensive and sad but there are happy thoughts too. I appreciate how Cross also describes Karen’s struggles in figuring out how to grieve, the stages and to finally cope. After fighting back tears and brushing off small tears for so many chapters I lost it literally in that pivotal scene.
Despite the solemn tone of the book, there is still comic relief every now and then. Jordan and Karen has such a beautiful relationship. Their banter is amazing and it will make you laugh. Their love and their unending faith and support to each other is astonishing and rare.
Perfect for If I Stay fans. Letters to Nowhere is brilliant, sensational. It was written with so much love and sorrow. It will reduce you to tears. A highly recommended read.
You can read my full review on YAH.
Letters to Nowhere follows the story of Karen Campbell, who recently lost her parents in a car accident, not wanting to move with her Grandmother and leave her gymnastic career behind. Karen finds herself living with her gymnastic coach and his son Jordan.
When I started reading Letters to Nowhere, I asked myself would this turn into another typical orphan girl leading a miserable life and then here comes the hot boy saving her from herself? Oh Boy! I was wrong, completely and utterly wrong. Letters to Nowhere is very different than all YA Contemporary books out there and that’s saying something.
Cross’ incredible talent in writing showed immensely throughout the book as the plot goes on smoothly. I don’t have any problem getting into Karen’s story at all. She’s very relatable and I can feel the emotion, the pain that she’s going through. I couldn’t get enough of it. Jordan is a marvelous character too. He has one of the best character ARCs I have ever read. I love how he is always there for Karen, how he helped her immensely in coping and for a character his story has a stunning depth. The secondary characters Coach, Stevie and everyone are very well written and developed. They left such an impression on me. I’m not a sport person but I swear I could see the exhibition presenting in my very eyes. I’m honestly surprised how engrossed I am about the gymnastic stuff in the book.
One of the many things I love about this novel is the letters. I love reading them! Some are pensive and sad but there are happy thoughts too. I appreciate how Cross also describes Karen’s struggles in figuring out how to grieve, the stages and to finally cope. After fighting back tears and brushing off small tears for so many chapters I lost it literally in that pivotal scene.
Despite the solemn tone of the book, there is still comic relief every now and then. Jordan and Karen has such a beautiful relationship. Their banter is amazing and it will make you laugh. Their love and their unending faith and support to each other is astonishing and rare.
Perfect for If I Stay fans. Letters to Nowhere is brilliant, sensational. It was written with so much love and sorrow. It will reduce you to tears. A highly recommended read.
You can read my full review on YAH.
September 2, 2016
Before I begin, I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
“There was nothing in the entire world that could have prepared me for reading those pages. Nothing. No training. No drills. No life experience. So many feelings began to boil over and I had no idea what to do with them. It was too much.”
I liked this story. A lot. I liked the premise of the book and how Karen is a gymnast and her friendship with her teammates. I LOVED the letters!! They provided so much context and quirky humor to the story and I feel like if they were removed, the book would have lost some appeal. And most of all, I love the relationship that develops between Karen and Jordan. Forged through experiencing similar ordeals, the bond Karen and Jordan shares oozes a pure, healing vibe that is pretty hard to find in many YA books today.
“She hasn’t asked me if I’m okay. I lost my parents and she hasn’t asked me a damn thing. But she lost her son and I haven’t asked her a damn thing either.”
In the aftermath of losing both of her parents in a driving accident, Karen is left alone, picking up the broken pieces of her life and moves in with her gymnastics coach. Much of the book revolves around Karen’s practices and competitions, which was a unique aspect to add in the book. I’ve never read a story where the heroine is a gymnast, a hard-core gymnast, so the story is incredibly refreshing to read. Unexpectedly, Karen makes a connection with her coach’s son Jordan, who lost his parents, sister, and grandparents in a bombing incident. As a result, this similarity, this bond is formed and to Karen, Jordan seems to be the only person to get her.
“You can say it, you know? It won’t freak me out.”
“Say what?”
“Your parents are dead.”
“My parents are dead.”
“Say it one more time. It will get a little easier tomorrow and then we don’t have to tap-dance around the great big elephant in the room.”
“My parents are dead.”
I LOVE Jordan’s character!! He’s had a tumultuous past, and like Karen, suffers from haunting nightmares of loved ones but doesn’t let them rule his life. He’s always there for Karen, even during her, um, female problems (lol) and if I didn’t love him before, I do now. He’s like that quintessential bad-boy-reformed, and he couldn’t be more perfect in my eyes.
“Jordan,
You are the most perfect boy in the world, if such a thing exists. Please don’t ever stand behind anyone else in the dark again. Just me.
Love,
Karen”
I said this before, but I’ll say it again. I absolutely adored Karen’s letters!!! I found myself looking forward to reading the letters in each chapter, knowing that they would evoke laughter, tears, anger, pain, love.
Overall, this book really tugged at my ‘awww’ heartstrings, and was a refreshing YA book to read! I’d definitely recommend this book!
4.5 STARS!!!
“There was nothing in the entire world that could have prepared me for reading those pages. Nothing. No training. No drills. No life experience. So many feelings began to boil over and I had no idea what to do with them. It was too much.”
I liked this story. A lot. I liked the premise of the book and how Karen is a gymnast and her friendship with her teammates. I LOVED the letters!! They provided so much context and quirky humor to the story and I feel like if they were removed, the book would have lost some appeal. And most of all, I love the relationship that develops between Karen and Jordan. Forged through experiencing similar ordeals, the bond Karen and Jordan shares oozes a pure, healing vibe that is pretty hard to find in many YA books today.
“She hasn’t asked me if I’m okay. I lost my parents and she hasn’t asked me a damn thing. But she lost her son and I haven’t asked her a damn thing either.”
In the aftermath of losing both of her parents in a driving accident, Karen is left alone, picking up the broken pieces of her life and moves in with her gymnastics coach. Much of the book revolves around Karen’s practices and competitions, which was a unique aspect to add in the book. I’ve never read a story where the heroine is a gymnast, a hard-core gymnast, so the story is incredibly refreshing to read. Unexpectedly, Karen makes a connection with her coach’s son Jordan, who lost his parents, sister, and grandparents in a bombing incident. As a result, this similarity, this bond is formed and to Karen, Jordan seems to be the only person to get her.
“You can say it, you know? It won’t freak me out.”
“Say what?”
“Your parents are dead.”
“My parents are dead.”
“Say it one more time. It will get a little easier tomorrow and then we don’t have to tap-dance around the great big elephant in the room.”
“My parents are dead.”
I LOVE Jordan’s character!! He’s had a tumultuous past, and like Karen, suffers from haunting nightmares of loved ones but doesn’t let them rule his life. He’s always there for Karen, even during her, um, female problems (lol) and if I didn’t love him before, I do now. He’s like that quintessential bad-boy-reformed, and he couldn’t be more perfect in my eyes.
“Jordan,
You are the most perfect boy in the world, if such a thing exists. Please don’t ever stand behind anyone else in the dark again. Just me.
Love,
Karen”
I said this before, but I’ll say it again. I absolutely adored Karen’s letters!!! I found myself looking forward to reading the letters in each chapter, knowing that they would evoke laughter, tears, anger, pain, love.
Overall, this book really tugged at my ‘awww’ heartstrings, and was a refreshing YA book to read! I’d definitely recommend this book!
4.5 STARS!!!
June 24, 2022
I won't hesitate to admit that I wasn't exactly the biggest fan of Tempest. I think that's probably why I was so hesitant to buy Letters to Nowhere. Nonetheless, I did end up getting a copy, and it was evident there was no need for me to worry because from page one onwards I was hooked.
“Of course it's hard,” I tell her. “If it wasn't hard, then the success wouldn't feel nearly as great.”17-year-old elite gymnast Karen Campbell's parents have just died in a car crash. When her gymnastics coach offers to take her in, Karen doesn't argue. But there she meets her coach's son - Jordan, who lost his mother and sister years before. As Karen begins to realize how much she and Jordan have in common, the more she begins to fall for him...and the more she begins to wonder about her parent's death...
The gymnastics element of the story was a definite plus and was portrayed with utmost accuracy. Letters to Nowhere is centered along Karen's journey as an elite gymnast, and I was quite interested in seeing how Julie Cross portrayed the sport.
There's lots of technical gymnastics terms, skills, and slang in the book ("stick," multiple skill names, etc), but Cross takes the time to explain each skill perfectly, so that even people without knowledge of elite gymnastics would be able to easily picture the skills in their heads as they read the story.
Gymnastics was a tough sport - mentally and physically - especially at the elite level, and I couldn't have made it without the support of my teammates.Regarding the main character, I loved Karen. She was so inspirational and brave, and she felt so realistic. But, despite this, she wasn't perfect, and that's what I loved about her. She made mistakes, she did bad things, but, to me, that made her all the more realistic.
Gymnastics has taught me to face fears head-on or they blow up so big you'll never be able to conquer them.Letters to Nowhere is a beautifully written book that I'd recommend to all fans of gymnastics, realistic fiction and / or romance. It's definitely emotionally heart-wrenching at times, yet completely humorous at times as well. Jordan Bentley and Karen Campbell are two characters you'll never forget.
Even though it was more Coach Cordes's style to give giant bear hugs, I got one from Coach Bentley. And then he said, right into my ear, so no one else could hear, “This is just the beginning, Karen.”Just the beginning. I like that.
August 14, 2013
ARC provided by author for an honest review. Many thanks to Julie for this chance to read her book. :)
What I liked about this book:
1. The letters
2. Jordan
3. Coach Bentley - how he was with Karen
4. Karen seemed to have a great group of friends
5. Karen and Jordan's relationship
6. There's a little twist...or more like a couple of secrets that come out.
7. The scene when Jordan and Karen were sick.
Karen is a 17-year-old gymnast who just had her world rocked hard in the worst way. She is now an orphan and trying to hold herself together. She doesn't want to leave her life of the gym and her teammates behind. Her coach offer's her a solution of living with him and his teenage son, Jordan. So, her grandma, Coach and the lawyers work something out.
Jordan is also 17 years of age. He too has been through a tragedy, so he can relate to Karen. He has a wild streak in his system and doesn't get along well with his father. He has a BFF by the name of Tony, who I really liked. (Tony plays a role in some things Karen needs help with later in the book.)
Karen and Jordan form a bond pretty quick and he tries to "save" her in hopes that she can "save" him too. He does the best he can to help Karen in and out of the gym as she tries to cope with the reality that has become her life, the discovery of puberty and boys.
I really liked the story plot of this book as it was definitely different from a lot of books I've been reading lately. I thought that Coach Bentley was good with Karen, and took good care of her. I liked how Jordan and Karen worked their boundaries with each other in and out of the home/gym as she lived with him and his father. I think Jordan was pretty good with her too. You could tell her cared for her a lot and that turned to something deeper later on. I also felt like the girls in the gym tried to be a good support system for Karen as best they could considering their ages and life experiences.
Even though I liked this book, I felt at times it was a bit slow for me. I also felt like Jordan and Karen's relationship progressed a bit weird for me. Maybe it was due to what felt like time gaps? Also with her so busy in the gym, and he was in boarding school, they didn't have a ton of time to always be together. The ending worked out nicely, yet I felt like there should have been an epilogue unless the author has plans for a follow-up book? For me I felt like I needed more closure for Jordan and Karen's relationship and future. So I definitely could have used an epilogue.
What I liked about this book:
1. The letters
2. Jordan
3. Coach Bentley - how he was with Karen
4. Karen seemed to have a great group of friends
5. Karen and Jordan's relationship
6. There's a little twist...or more like a couple of secrets that come out.
7. The scene when Jordan and Karen were sick.
Karen is a 17-year-old gymnast who just had her world rocked hard in the worst way. She is now an orphan and trying to hold herself together. She doesn't want to leave her life of the gym and her teammates behind. Her coach offer's her a solution of living with him and his teenage son, Jordan. So, her grandma, Coach and the lawyers work something out.
Jordan is also 17 years of age. He too has been through a tragedy, so he can relate to Karen. He has a wild streak in his system and doesn't get along well with his father. He has a BFF by the name of Tony, who I really liked. (Tony plays a role in some things Karen needs help with later in the book.)
Karen and Jordan form a bond pretty quick and he tries to "save" her in hopes that she can "save" him too. He does the best he can to help Karen in and out of the gym as she tries to cope with the reality that has become her life, the discovery of puberty and boys.
I really liked the story plot of this book as it was definitely different from a lot of books I've been reading lately. I thought that Coach Bentley was good with Karen, and took good care of her. I liked how Jordan and Karen worked their boundaries with each other in and out of the home/gym as she lived with him and his father. I think Jordan was pretty good with her too. You could tell her cared for her a lot and that turned to something deeper later on. I also felt like the girls in the gym tried to be a good support system for Karen as best they could considering their ages and life experiences.
Even though I liked this book, I felt at times it was a bit slow for me. I also felt like Jordan and Karen's relationship progressed a bit weird for me. Maybe it was due to what felt like time gaps? Also with her so busy in the gym, and he was in boarding school, they didn't have a ton of time to always be together. The ending worked out nicely, yet I felt like there should have been an epilogue unless the author has plans for a follow-up book? For me I felt like I needed more closure for Jordan and Karen's relationship and future. So I definitely could have used an epilogue.
August 12, 2013
4 Stars
I liked it a lot..
A beautiful story about death-griefs, friendship, love, acceptance and forgiveness..
It was a lovely, funny, and heart warming story.
Karen, a 17 y.o elite-gymnast, loss both of her parents in a tragic car accident. Left her alone as an orphan.
Then her coach offered her to live with him.
There she met Jordan, her coach's son. They apparently had more lots in commons than she thought.
They felt the connection, because both of them had the same luggages, same daemons, had the same nightmares..
They tried to help to each other..
I loved Jordan
And I love coach Bentley too
I loved Karen-Jordan's relationship.
I loved the team-mates friendships.
I loved the letters..
Although the author doesn't mention whether it is a stand alone or a part of series, but the ending left me questioning lots of thing..
So I hope that she will make the sequel..
I liked it a lot..
A beautiful story about death-griefs, friendship, love, acceptance and forgiveness..
It was a lovely, funny, and heart warming story.
Karen, a 17 y.o elite-gymnast, loss both of her parents in a tragic car accident. Left her alone as an orphan.
Then her coach offered her to live with him.
There she met Jordan, her coach's son. They apparently had more lots in commons than she thought.
They felt the connection, because both of them had the same luggages, same daemons, had the same nightmares..
They tried to help to each other..
I loved Jordan
“Just tell me what to do, Karen. I like us. I really like us. And I don’t want to screw it up.” He smiled at me. “In fact, if you could just give me a list of all the possible ways that I can screw this up, that would be extremely helpful.”
“Sometimes I can’t find the right words and if someone else already has, I figure I could borrow them for a while. I hope you like the playlist. I think I’ve subconsciously been storing these songs up in my head for a long time. I’d hear them and think of you or you and me or something that I wanted to say and couldn’t. Anyway, I hope you like it.”
And I love coach Bentley too
“I don’t think anything you’re feeling can be labeled as wrong,” he said. “It is what it is.”
I loved Karen-Jordan's relationship.
I loved the team-mates friendships.
I loved the letters..
Although the author doesn't mention whether it is a stand alone or a part of series, but the ending left me questioning lots of thing..
So I hope that she will make the sequel..
January 6, 2014
Fun fact about me: sports are super not my thing. The only time I ever watch them is during the Olympics, because I can handle sports-watching about once every two years. Generally, I’m like “Oh, look, he kicked the ball. Clearly, that merits applause.” For all my lack of spirit about sports though, I have an odd attraction to YA novels about less popular sports. Cricket or curling? I would be all over that. I just finished Being Sloane Jacobs with ice hockey and figure skating, and now Letters to Nowhere with gymnastics. Based on the title, I really didn’t know what to make of Letters to Nowhere (frankly I was petrified of some sort of The Lake House scenario), but Cross’ contemporary novel is a sweet story about dealing with grief, building family where you find it, and, of course, gymnastics.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
June 15, 2013
“You can’t conquer everything in a day. Or even a week. Maybe not even a year. There’s no way to work hard at grieving. You just have to let it happen. And you are, so don’t fight it.”
Mom and Dad,
No more letters until I figure out where to send them. Right now they have nowhere to go.
Love, Karen
June 16th
Dear Ms. Julie Cross,
I just want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for having the awesome skill to write books that will capture the heart of your readers like how it captured mine. From Tempest to Vortex to this contemporary YA, I think you just made it to the top of my list of favorite authors. So yeah I'm feeling grateful not just because you were too kind to provide an ARC of this book but so much more because you wrote a beautiful masterpiece that totally had me. I wish you could finish one book a day so I would have an endless supply of your work, and then I won't ever have to be disappointed with books ever again. You were very accommodating during our email exchanges and I love it when authors are just so nice to talk to!! So there. I will forever worship your work ;)
So much love from a die-hard fan,
Ira
This book is all about loss, grief, love, acceptance, growth and the unexpected family and connection we find in friends and sometimes even in strangers. This book was able to touch so many issues about death that my heart ached so much I'm afraid it would explode! The start of the book captivated me that I didn't notice I was burning through page after page. Can you believe that I finished this book within 10 hours? It did not bore me for one second that I wasn't able to set this book aside nor pick another book in exchange for this one. Karen is a very likable character. She is neither bitchy, whiny nor annoying, she's perfect for a normal teenager gymnast going through a tough time. You totally don't get the brooding, rebellious and emo girl who has to deal with being an orphan! You get a grieving protagonist but not an overly exaggerated one and as I said, she is perfect!! There's so much maturity in her that I can't help but admire her and embrace as well, her imperfections. I sympathize with her, I ache for her and I get her.
And the love story! Dear Lord! I was not disappointed! I always hold my breath, afraid that their little encounters might lead to insta-love or something worthy of an eye-roll, but then my worries were easily extinguished replaced not just a sigh of relief but an amusement to these two! They couldn't get any cuter, can they?! Ahhh, young, sweet, innocent love. TEAM JAREN. I love the natural chemistry between Karen and Jordan. She is not totally gushing about Jordan in the first few chapters which should exactly how normal people should react when they just met each other!! And unlike most of the books I have read, girls tend to get jealous of people they're not supposed to be jealous of just yet but with this book, that is totally not the case and it made me fall in love more with the bond slowly forming between the two! It feels like Karen's taking things one step at a time. Little baby steps, testing the waters in an unfamiliar territory. I also love how they are staying true to their "let's not cross that line" and "let's just be friends" agreement when they are together. I'm sorry but really I've read enough crap having the same agreement but doesn't seem like they agreed to anything with the way they still acted the day after making the agreement. With these two, they went through with their promise and just maintained their non-complicated, platonic relationship! Well yeah of course after some time they just have to give in to their feelings. Totally understandable!!! And you know what, the totally cliché happenings that would have made me gag had I read it in other books actually made me feel warm and fuzzy in is book, like it's the first I'm reading it.
Jordan punched Tony in the arm, but otherwise looked unaffected.I smiled at him and sat in front of the fire, trying to warm my hands and dry my jeans. Jordan adjusted the hat on my head, folding up the bottom to keep it from covering my eyes, then he plopped down next to me on the bench. “Give me your hands.” I put both hands in front of him and he held them in his, blowing warm air on them. “That’s very boyfriendly of you,” I said.
-Cliché move but the feelings it evoked from me were totally not cliché!!
“Anyway, what’s cool about me and you is that I don’t really plan stuff. I don’t know what were going to do next anymore than you do. I think it’ll happen on it’s own and we’ll both be ready for it. Whatever it is. The first time I kissed you, it was like that. I had no idea when we arrived at that part, I would leave thinking about you in a completely different way.”
Karen's letters to her parents, to Coach Bentley and Jordan and to anyone who matters to her were heartwarming and speak so much truth. It was so raw that I can really feel the honesty behind her words! I think one of the most heartbreaking part of the book was when she had a fever and she was remembering how her mom would have dealt with the situation. It was a bittersweet memory of her mom and dad and I think a tear might have slipped from my eyes. I love how awesome and supportive and loving and warm Karen's parents were to her that I can feel how hard it must be for her to lose them. Also when Stacey was combing Karen's hair after she took a bath and remembered something about how supportive Karen's mom was. This really was a tear jerker :(
This book felt realistic to me— no coincidental craps and over done situations, which made me like the book even more. I wish authors would write books with depth and that are carefully thought of just like this one. If that will be the case, I don't think I will be able to find myself doing anything else but read! Seriously, the authors should learn from Julie Cross on how to get things done just right! From the characters' personality to the issues being tackled, not once did I roll my eyes nor cursed Karen or anyone else for that matter for being overly dramatic.
Now I'm itching to know whether there will be a book 2!!! I am so not ready to let go of Karen and Jordan and Coach Bentley and the world of gymnastics!!!
Letters to Nowhere has the right mix of love, friendship, family and gymnastics wielded into it that will captivate everyone's hearts and will surely have everyone reaching for a Kleenex in no time. So come August, NEVER hesitate because I am a hundred and ten percent that this will be worth every penny. :-)
Mom and Dad,
No more letters until I figure out where to send them. Right now they have nowhere to go.
Love, Karen
June 16th
Dear Ms. Julie Cross,
I just want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for having the awesome skill to write books that will capture the heart of your readers like how it captured mine. From Tempest to Vortex to this contemporary YA, I think you just made it to the top of my list of favorite authors. So yeah I'm feeling grateful not just because you were too kind to provide an ARC of this book but so much more because you wrote a beautiful masterpiece that totally had me. I wish you could finish one book a day so I would have an endless supply of your work, and then I won't ever have to be disappointed with books ever again. You were very accommodating during our email exchanges and I love it when authors are just so nice to talk to!! So there. I will forever worship your work ;)
So much love from a die-hard fan,
Ira
This book is all about loss, grief, love, acceptance, growth and the unexpected family and connection we find in friends and sometimes even in strangers. This book was able to touch so many issues about death that my heart ached so much I'm afraid it would explode! The start of the book captivated me that I didn't notice I was burning through page after page. Can you believe that I finished this book within 10 hours? It did not bore me for one second that I wasn't able to set this book aside nor pick another book in exchange for this one. Karen is a very likable character. She is neither bitchy, whiny nor annoying, she's perfect for a normal teenager gymnast going through a tough time. You totally don't get the brooding, rebellious and emo girl who has to deal with being an orphan! You get a grieving protagonist but not an overly exaggerated one and as I said, she is perfect!! There's so much maturity in her that I can't help but admire her and embrace as well, her imperfections. I sympathize with her, I ache for her and I get her.
And the love story! Dear Lord! I was not disappointed! I always hold my breath, afraid that their little encounters might lead to insta-love or something worthy of an eye-roll, but then my worries were easily extinguished replaced not just a sigh of relief but an amusement to these two! They couldn't get any cuter, can they?! Ahhh, young, sweet, innocent love. TEAM JAREN. I love the natural chemistry between Karen and Jordan. She is not totally gushing about Jordan in the first few chapters which should exactly how normal people should react when they just met each other!! And unlike most of the books I have read, girls tend to get jealous of people they're not supposed to be jealous of just yet but with this book, that is totally not the case and it made me fall in love more with the bond slowly forming between the two! It feels like Karen's taking things one step at a time. Little baby steps, testing the waters in an unfamiliar territory. I also love how they are staying true to their "let's not cross that line" and "let's just be friends" agreement when they are together. I'm sorry but really I've read enough crap having the same agreement but doesn't seem like they agreed to anything with the way they still acted the day after making the agreement. With these two, they went through with their promise and just maintained their non-complicated, platonic relationship! Well yeah of course after some time they just have to give in to their feelings. Totally understandable!!! And you know what, the totally cliché happenings that would have made me gag had I read it in other books actually made me feel warm and fuzzy in is book, like it's the first I'm reading it.
Jordan punched Tony in the arm, but otherwise looked unaffected.I smiled at him and sat in front of the fire, trying to warm my hands and dry my jeans. Jordan adjusted the hat on my head, folding up the bottom to keep it from covering my eyes, then he plopped down next to me on the bench. “Give me your hands.” I put both hands in front of him and he held them in his, blowing warm air on them. “That’s very boyfriendly of you,” I said.
-Cliché move but the feelings it evoked from me were totally not cliché!!
“Anyway, what’s cool about me and you is that I don’t really plan stuff. I don’t know what were going to do next anymore than you do. I think it’ll happen on it’s own and we’ll both be ready for it. Whatever it is. The first time I kissed you, it was like that. I had no idea when we arrived at that part, I would leave thinking about you in a completely different way.”
Karen's letters to her parents, to Coach Bentley and Jordan and to anyone who matters to her were heartwarming and speak so much truth. It was so raw that I can really feel the honesty behind her words! I think one of the most heartbreaking part of the book was when she had a fever and she was remembering how her mom would have dealt with the situation. It was a bittersweet memory of her mom and dad and I think a tear might have slipped from my eyes. I love how awesome and supportive and loving and warm Karen's parents were to her that I can feel how hard it must be for her to lose them. Also when Stacey was combing Karen's hair after she took a bath and remembered something about how supportive Karen's mom was. This really was a tear jerker :(
This book felt realistic to me— no coincidental craps and over done situations, which made me like the book even more. I wish authors would write books with depth and that are carefully thought of just like this one. If that will be the case, I don't think I will be able to find myself doing anything else but read! Seriously, the authors should learn from Julie Cross on how to get things done just right! From the characters' personality to the issues being tackled, not once did I roll my eyes nor cursed Karen or anyone else for that matter for being overly dramatic.
Now I'm itching to know whether there will be a book 2!!! I am so not ready to let go of Karen and Jordan and Coach Bentley and the world of gymnastics!!!
Letters to Nowhere has the right mix of love, friendship, family and gymnastics wielded into it that will captivate everyone's hearts and will surely have everyone reaching for a Kleenex in no time. So come August, NEVER hesitate because I am a hundred and ten percent that this will be worth every penny. :-)
June 7, 2013
I fell in love with Karen and Jordan's story. A beautiful story of hope, growth, and relationships. I love Julie's sci-fi Tempest series, but this one is even better. I love Julie Cross's progression as an author - she gets better with every book and it is just a treat to see what will come next from this fantastic author.
Gymnastics books are always a treat to read - I have always been fascinated by the sport and the immense talent it takes. Julie Cross knows what she is talking about, as it comes so clearly across in Letters to Nowhere.
I am so excited for Letters To Nowhere to finally be coming out - I feel as if it has been so long since I read it and fell in love with Karen and Jordan's story, yet their story is still so touching to me and just magical. There are so many aspects of Karen and Jordan as characters that are so diverse - they are both so flawed, yet together, they make a perfect match.
While it's known I am not the biggest contemp fan, Letters To Nowhere blew me away! While the deeper themes of the novel are darker and sad, that isn't what drives Letters to Nowhere. There is happiness and laughter to balance it out.
Gymnastics books are always a treat to read - I have always been fascinated by the sport and the immense talent it takes. Julie Cross knows what she is talking about, as it comes so clearly across in Letters to Nowhere.
I am so excited for Letters To Nowhere to finally be coming out - I feel as if it has been so long since I read it and fell in love with Karen and Jordan's story, yet their story is still so touching to me and just magical. There are so many aspects of Karen and Jordan as characters that are so diverse - they are both so flawed, yet together, they make a perfect match.
While it's known I am not the biggest contemp fan, Letters To Nowhere blew me away! While the deeper themes of the novel are darker and sad, that isn't what drives Letters to Nowhere. There is happiness and laughter to balance it out.
February 20, 2016
Going into this book I didn't know much about it other then...hey, it's Julie Cross! And this is basically my reaction:
So needless to say, I'm a huge fan after reading the Tempest series and falling in love with Cross' writing. I was a little bummed that she wasn't writing in a male POV (because she just does it so well) but I quickly got over it once inside Karen's head. The book starts out right when Karen has just lost her parents and must decide where to live. And she chooses--her new coach's house. Oh, and her coach has a teenage son.
This plot has the making of some serious awkward, funny, and even sexy moments. Living with a cute boy when you're seventeen has to be every high school girl's fantasy. Cross does capitalize on all these moments but doesn't jeopardize Karen's grief in the process. I thought everything was handled so effortlessly well. Many authors could have so easily plopped this girl in a house with a cute boy and had her blinded by a hazy fog of insta-lust, but no...Karen remains very likable, avoiding cliche tropes. She's honest, very confident in her skin and even though at times it might have been hard to connect to someone grieving from the start of a book, I still found a way to sympathize with her.
And then there's Jordan. Oh, Jordan. Did I mention that Julie Cross is a pro at writing male characters? Well, she is. Because every bit of dialogue and every movement and action made me giddy over this guy. He's incredibly charming with some deep emotions and pithy lines.
The romance has to be the best part of the book. Sure, the gymnastics are great too, but I found myself totally enamored with Karen and Jordan. When you read a book and there's this moment where the male lead almost gets with someone else and your reactions is this...
...then you kind of know that the couple is an OTP. That's how I felt with Karen and Jordan. Unlike most contemporaries, this was a slow building relationship built off an emotional connection that only two people who've been through something tragic can share. It felt like they were soulmates. Honestly. And I don't say that a lot when I read YA, since (let's be honest) they've got many years (and future lovers) ahead of them.
That quote pretty much sums up their romance. They become so comfortable with each other (able to really discuss anything -- even things would make me squirm) since their romance started out as a strong friendship. It feels like it's truly meant to be.
If you're looking for a Make It or Break It style drama-filled book with gymnastics girls being catty and going at it, then this probably isn't for you. The gymnasts are all mainly supportive and the big battle is an internal one for Karen. It's a book about dealing with loss and the struggle through grief.
The ending felt like closure, but there was definitely an opening for a sequel. Personally, I wouldn't mind some more Jordan Bentley.
Final Verdict
A story about loss, love, and gymnastics. And a romance filled with a deep emotional connection that YA contemporary lovers will want to read.
So needless to say, I'm a huge fan after reading the Tempest series and falling in love with Cross' writing. I was a little bummed that she wasn't writing in a male POV (because she just does it so well) but I quickly got over it once inside Karen's head. The book starts out right when Karen has just lost her parents and must decide where to live. And she chooses--her new coach's house. Oh, and her coach has a teenage son.
This plot has the making of some serious awkward, funny, and even sexy moments. Living with a cute boy when you're seventeen has to be every high school girl's fantasy. Cross does capitalize on all these moments but doesn't jeopardize Karen's grief in the process. I thought everything was handled so effortlessly well. Many authors could have so easily plopped this girl in a house with a cute boy and had her blinded by a hazy fog of insta-lust, but no...Karen remains very likable, avoiding cliche tropes. She's honest, very confident in her skin and even though at times it might have been hard to connect to someone grieving from the start of a book, I still found a way to sympathize with her.
And then there's Jordan. Oh, Jordan. Did I mention that Julie Cross is a pro at writing male characters? Well, she is. Because every bit of dialogue and every movement and action made me giddy over this guy. He's incredibly charming with some deep emotions and pithy lines.
The romance has to be the best part of the book. Sure, the gymnastics are great too, but I found myself totally enamored with Karen and Jordan. When you read a book and there's this moment where the male lead almost gets with someone else and your reactions is this...
...then you kind of know that the couple is an OTP. That's how I felt with Karen and Jordan. Unlike most contemporaries, this was a slow building relationship built off an emotional connection that only two people who've been through something tragic can share. It felt like they were soulmates. Honestly. And I don't say that a lot when I read YA, since (let's be honest) they've got many years (and future lovers) ahead of them.
"But with you," the smile dissolved from his face and I felt my heart flying again. "It feels like I've known you forever. And when I think about everything you're going through, how much I get it...it just makes me want to kiss you." he paused, watching my face carefully like he was ready for a big reaction of some kind. "I don't know what that means..I wish I did."
That quote pretty much sums up their romance. They become so comfortable with each other (able to really discuss anything -- even things would make me squirm) since their romance started out as a strong friendship. It feels like it's truly meant to be.
If you're looking for a Make It or Break It style drama-filled book with gymnastics girls being catty and going at it, then this probably isn't for you. The gymnasts are all mainly supportive and the big battle is an internal one for Karen. It's a book about dealing with loss and the struggle through grief.
The ending felt like closure, but there was definitely an opening for a sequel. Personally, I wouldn't mind some more Jordan Bentley.
Final Verdict
A story about loss, love, and gymnastics. And a romance filled with a deep emotional connection that YA contemporary lovers will want to read.
June 29, 2016
Edited Edition!
This novel tells the story of a teenage girl named Karen Campbell an elite gymnast. Who unfortunately has just lost her parents in a car accident and it shows her struggles from going through denial to uncovering what happened to her parents that caused their untimely deaths, The pressure being put on her from the sport she loves and the conflicted feelings on what she should do, dealing with certain changes and experiences without her mother's guidance and of course falling in love for the first time. This novel contains so many themes from coming of age, death, anger, grief and love and displays each beautifully! I fell for this book so hard that before I knew it my battery on my Laptop died.
I have always loved Julie Cross' writing style and have fallen for every character she has written instantly but I think I fell for the characters in this book faster than in her other books Tempest and Vortex. I just loved the characteristics and mannerisms each of these characters possessed. It hurt to shut down my laptop or sign out of my email on my iPod. That's just how great and addicting this story and characters were
The relationship that forms between the two main characters Karen and Jordan is just so cute and made me feel all warm and cozy inside it has been quite a while since I have read a book with a love interest or relationship that has made me feel this way. Their connection is just so indescribably beautiful and humorous.
This book was just like your typical Julie Cross book that would make you; Laugh, Cry, Gasp and fangirl! But all the emotions I felt towards this book seemed to be heightened compared to her other books. I just felt as though I could relate to Karen more than any other female character that I have read. I have no idea why though as I have never lost a close relative. But I just could.
A lot of people may be put off from this book due to its orientation around the gymnastics sport and if you haven't done the sport you may feel at a loss and be put off but trust me, I haven't done gymnastics and reading this book, I didn't feel at a loss one bit!
I also loved the emphasis that Julie puts on the fact that's there's no right way to truly deal with the loss of a loved one or in this case loved ones and that there is always melancholy or grief or conflict between the family members after a loved one's passing no matter how much time passes. It gives a message.
I've found Julie Cross's writing to be addicting and it always leaves you wanting more or getting out a calendar to calculate the number of days you have to wait before her next book is out. The friends who I recommended Julie's work to will back my point also. So this leaves me as one of Julie's biggest fans and I can not wait until the release of her next book.
This novel tells the story of a teenage girl named Karen Campbell an elite gymnast. Who unfortunately has just lost her parents in a car accident and it shows her struggles from going through denial to uncovering what happened to her parents that caused their untimely deaths, The pressure being put on her from the sport she loves and the conflicted feelings on what she should do, dealing with certain changes and experiences without her mother's guidance and of course falling in love for the first time. This novel contains so many themes from coming of age, death, anger, grief and love and displays each beautifully! I fell for this book so hard that before I knew it my battery on my Laptop died.
I have always loved Julie Cross' writing style and have fallen for every character she has written instantly but I think I fell for the characters in this book faster than in her other books Tempest and Vortex. I just loved the characteristics and mannerisms each of these characters possessed. It hurt to shut down my laptop or sign out of my email on my iPod. That's just how great and addicting this story and characters were
The relationship that forms between the two main characters Karen and Jordan is just so cute and made me feel all warm and cozy inside it has been quite a while since I have read a book with a love interest or relationship that has made me feel this way. Their connection is just so indescribably beautiful and humorous.
This book was just like your typical Julie Cross book that would make you; Laugh, Cry, Gasp and fangirl! But all the emotions I felt towards this book seemed to be heightened compared to her other books. I just felt as though I could relate to Karen more than any other female character that I have read. I have no idea why though as I have never lost a close relative. But I just could.
A lot of people may be put off from this book due to its orientation around the gymnastics sport and if you haven't done the sport you may feel at a loss and be put off but trust me, I haven't done gymnastics and reading this book, I didn't feel at a loss one bit!
I also loved the emphasis that Julie puts on the fact that's there's no right way to truly deal with the loss of a loved one or in this case loved ones and that there is always melancholy or grief or conflict between the family members after a loved one's passing no matter how much time passes. It gives a message.
I've found Julie Cross's writing to be addicting and it always leaves you wanting more or getting out a calendar to calculate the number of days you have to wait before her next book is out. The friends who I recommended Julie's work to will back my point also. So this leaves me as one of Julie's biggest fans and I can not wait until the release of her next book.
October 26, 2013
Dear Book,
I'm going to make this short: you were a disappointment. While I was fond of many of your characters (OK: The Bentleys, father & son) you just didn't deliver on any emotional levels and I feel, like many others who tried like you to take a difficult subject and make it work, that you failed. You know why? Because you don't deal with grief like that. You don't build on the premise of 'girl loses both parents in tragic car accident and learns to deal with it' by making her only shortcomings a refusal to step inside her former house and oddly placed panic attacks. I know grief, OK? I might not know what it's like when it's so sudden, but having suffered through it, I didn't think any of this was believable. I know we all react differently, and each showing of grief is personal, some might express it very openly, others more silently. But what I do know, is that any 17 year old, only (or not but this just accentuates the fact) child who loses both parents very suddenly does not react like that. And I find that it's an insult to people who actually went through it. You don't make light on it. You don't have the main character use the phrase "get out of jail card"(meaning, her having dead parents and therefore getting free passes everywhere) even if it's meant to be funny. You just don't. What's more, the story was very predictable and ultimately, nothing came of it. There. I'm done. I don't know why I keep trying these "grief" books, they are almost never good. The only one that hit the mark was The Rules of Inheritance. And it's not hard to explain why. It's a true story.
Yours disappointedly,
Cecile
PS: Oh God. Of course there's going to be a sequel. Bring on more uselessness.
I'm going to make this short: you were a disappointment. While I was fond of many of your characters (OK: The Bentleys, father & son) you just didn't deliver on any emotional levels and I feel, like many others who tried like you to take a difficult subject and make it work, that you failed. You know why? Because you don't deal with grief like that. You don't build on the premise of 'girl loses both parents in tragic car accident and learns to deal with it' by making her only shortcomings a refusal to step inside her former house and oddly placed panic attacks. I know grief, OK? I might not know what it's like when it's so sudden, but having suffered through it, I didn't think any of this was believable. I know we all react differently, and each showing of grief is personal, some might express it very openly, others more silently. But what I do know, is that any 17 year old, only (or not but this just accentuates the fact) child who loses both parents very suddenly does not react like that. And I find that it's an insult to people who actually went through it. You don't make light on it. You don't have the main character use the phrase "get out of jail card"(meaning, her having dead parents and therefore getting free passes everywhere) even if it's meant to be funny. You just don't. What's more, the story was very predictable and ultimately, nothing came of it. There. I'm done. I don't know why I keep trying these "grief" books, they are almost never good. The only one that hit the mark was The Rules of Inheritance. And it's not hard to explain why. It's a true story.
Yours disappointedly,
Cecile
PS: Oh God. Of course there's going to be a sequel. Bring on more uselessness.
July 3, 2015
♥ Find my reviews here: Literary Meanderings
- - -
Letters to Nowhere is the story of 17-year-old Karen Campbell—an elite gymnast recently orphaned by the death of her parents in a tragic car accident.
Upon meeting with a lawyer, her grandmother, and her gymnastics coach, it is decided that Karen will live with Coach Bentley so that she may continue her career in the sport she loves and excels in.
Along with Coach Bentley comes his gorgeous son, Jordan. Jordan, at first, seems like nothing more than the typical male, but eventually he becomes a confidant to Karen. The two of them learn how much they really have in common... how loss has changed their lives and shaped their futures.
As Karen struggles with panic attacks, her new-found interest in Jordan, and her career choices, she tries to deal with the death of her parents. But this is a difficult feat when she knows next-to-nothing about the accident itself. Each time she asks or seeks information she's brushed off or lied to. So Karen takes it upon herself to find out what happened...
and what she discovers leaves her more angry and confused than ever before.
How do I get over being grateful that I wasn't in the car with you that night?- - -
Letters to Nowhere isn't my first read by Julie Cross. If you haven't had the extreme pleasure of reading her Tempest series, then you should go out and do so right now. Because of my love for J.C.'s previous works, I had high expectations going into Letters to Nowhere. I already know Julie has the ability to floor me. I am happy to say that this book was no exception!
We are immediately thrown into the story via Karen meeting up with a lawyer. With both parents being gone, Karen's new guardian is to be her grandmother. It's clear from the start that neither Karen OR her grandmother are happy with this fact, so when Karen's gymnastics coach offers her a place in his home, it's pretty much a done deal. So, right off the bat, Karen is faced with trying to fit into a new home—one that comes with a teenage guy living right down the hall.
That brings me to Jordan. I honestly loved this guy so much! He's not only handsome and charming, but knows what Karen is going through because of the loss he's suffered in his own life. The two form an immediate bond because of this. Not only does Jordan have something to teach Karen, but she has something to teach him as well. The two of them struggle with loss in their own ways, and although Karen's is fresher; more raw, it isn't any tougher to deal with than Jordan's. Jordan may have had more time to grieve, but he hasn't moved on completely and Karen is able to help him with that. I really enjoyed the dynamic between these two. It goes from awkwardness (think tampon shopping) to companionship to steaminess. Also, random note: A+ to Julie for not going the route of insta-love. Karen and Jordan actually get to know each other and bond before throwing around those three little words. This is something I know we can all appreciate! How many of us have the insta-love pet peeve? ;) But, back to my point! My point is this: The romance is amazing!
Throughout the book Karen writes letters to her parents and people she interacts with from day to day. She doesn't send these letters, but writes them in a journal or diary of sorts. She says things she wouldn't normally say in person, or things she feels but isn't ready to say. These letters brought the story to another level completely. They gave us a a deeper look into Karen and a better understanding of her personality and feelings. I don't think the story would've had the same impact on me if not for the letters.
Let me touch briefly on the gymnastics element to the story. It's a focal point in the book, and I want to make sure I mention that. Julie did a fantastic job of portraying the sport and she also made sure to do it in terms anyone could understand. There are technical terms, but it's always explained in a way that even someone with no knowledge of elite gymnastics will get the point. I, personally, was attracted to this book because of this theme. Gymnastics are my favorite part of the Olympics. I am fascinated by the sport and the people who do it. It takes a lot, mentally and physically. You sacrifice and you work hard. Julie brought this across very clearly. It makes Karen's struggle all the more realistic and inspiring.
Karen is, without a doubt, one of the strongest protagonists I've come across in YA fiction. She is simply inspiring. Not only is she dealing with the ups, downs, and unknowns of her career, but she is also dealing with fitting into a new home, changes in her own body, her growing feelings for Jordan, the grief of her loss, and the fact that she knows secrets are being kept from her regarding the death of her parents. This girl is a rock! Is she perfect? No. She has her moments; panic attacks that come on at the worst possible times, but she overcomes them and her determination only grows. I am in awe of her story and I was moved to tears many a time by her journey to acceptance.
Gymnastics had taught me to face fears head-on or they blow up so big you'll never be able to conquer them.Despite the heavy subject matter, there are still plenty of moments in this book that'll make you smile. Julie makes sure to deliver us some comedy in the way of banter between Jordan and Karen. And let us not forget the beautiful romance scenes in the book as well!
I can't finish up this review without mentioning why I only gave the book four stars. It was the ending. Now, don't get me wrong, the ending is one that many will love. I can't go into specifics without being spoilery, but I wanted more from the ending. I feel as if I was slightly cheated! It's obvious the main point of the story is for Karen to overcome her obstacles; to grieve, which she does, but I wanted to see that plus some. We don't always get what we want, though, do we we? :) Karen is the perfect example of that.
Overall, Letters to Nowhere was a hit. I can't say I'm surprised! It's Julie Cross, people. JULIE CROSS. She knows how to weave a story, to balance out a plot, to create unforgettable characters. The pace was perfect. The characters well written, full of life, realistic, and multidimensional. This book is packed with raw emotion and it'll take you on one hell of an emotional-roller-coaster ride. Be ready! There are surprises in store or you as well! Expect the unexpected. :) Also be ready to laugh, to smile, and to feel truly connected to this story.
If you want a read that is all about love, friendship, determination, and coping with loss, this is the book for you. Letters to Nowhere is a diamond in the rough; a stand-out book in the YA genre. I recommend this book 100%. You definitely want to read this one!
- - -
Book source: From the author for review
Publisher: Long Walk Press
October 14, 2013
This is just like any other YA books I've read. You know with the main characters whose have tragic past life, the heroine who thinks that she is out of league of the hero but somehow he can heal her and in the process she heals him too. Or so I thought when I read its blurb. Oh...it still has everything I mentioned above but it also has so much more. In some way I think it makes this book quite different from other YA books.
The setting, a gymnastic world is a new thing for me. I have to admit that I was kind of struggle to understand all of gymnastic words in the beginning of the story, but the way it's written makes me want to know more about it. I feel like I can connect with the characters better if I know what they're talking about, though I don't have problem to connect with Karen in the first place. I can feel her pain, confusion, anger, and connect with her story easily. It was just her world that feels new for me. I love watching sports, any kind of sport, including gymnastic. But I never paid more attention to it the way I watch soccer, swimming or even athletics. I'm not familiar with the rules so I just watch it for its beauty. This book makes me rethink about it, makes me want to know more behind the beauty. And just like any other books that I love and affect me, it leads me to look for more information about it. I ended up googling it and watch many video on YouTube about Amanar, Yurchenko and Jaeger.
The story itself quite simple and nothing new, about a teenage gymnast, Karen Campbell, who struggles with her parents died in a car accident and her new life without them. I love that she needs time coping her lost, just like others in real life. She takes her time to feel, think and questioning it. Without being told, I can see her changes and move from one stage to another. She delivers her story straight forward without glorious words to overwhelm her feeling yet it feels honest. I especially love her letters. I feel they are more honest than when she told her story as an MC because in her letters I can feel that those are what she really feels, unlike her as an MC which sometimes is about what she wants the world to see. I just love the difference, I want Jordan, Coach Bentley, Stevie, Jackie, and Blair read the letters.
The characters are lovable, even the supporting one. I can feel the sisterhood that Karen feels with her teammate. Her relationship with Blair feels real with their up and down friendship, I even like Stevie with her superior acts since I understand what she means and wants from Karen long before she and Blair realize it. As for the main characters, Jordan and Karen I love that they are able to think and act more mature without losing their youth-reckless attitude. They know their priorities, responsible and able to draw and hold each other from their hormonal issues yet honest with their feeling and eager to know more and look for the answer about new things in their life. At this point I want my little sister to have those personalities. I think they picture it well. One thing that I feel different from other YA characters is the older characters, Coach Bentley, Jackie and Stacey. As adults, they let young characters make mistake and don't tell them what they have to do, instead they let them to figure it out by themselves and sometimes learn it together. I mostly love the interaction between Karen and Jackie. As a psychiatrist she doesn't dictate what Karen has to do to accept her lost. She guides her but it's her who takes time and way to accept it. I think it's more reasonable for me because I believe everyone needs different pace and way to heal from their sadness, there is no exact guide about it.
The setting, a gymnastic world is a new thing for me. I have to admit that I was kind of struggle to understand all of gymnastic words in the beginning of the story, but the way it's written makes me want to know more about it. I feel like I can connect with the characters better if I know what they're talking about, though I don't have problem to connect with Karen in the first place. I can feel her pain, confusion, anger, and connect with her story easily. It was just her world that feels new for me. I love watching sports, any kind of sport, including gymnastic. But I never paid more attention to it the way I watch soccer, swimming or even athletics. I'm not familiar with the rules so I just watch it for its beauty. This book makes me rethink about it, makes me want to know more behind the beauty. And just like any other books that I love and affect me, it leads me to look for more information about it. I ended up googling it and watch many video on YouTube about Amanar, Yurchenko and Jaeger.
The story itself quite simple and nothing new, about a teenage gymnast, Karen Campbell, who struggles with her parents died in a car accident and her new life without them. I love that she needs time coping her lost, just like others in real life. She takes her time to feel, think and questioning it. Without being told, I can see her changes and move from one stage to another. She delivers her story straight forward without glorious words to overwhelm her feeling yet it feels honest. I especially love her letters. I feel they are more honest than when she told her story as an MC because in her letters I can feel that those are what she really feels, unlike her as an MC which sometimes is about what she wants the world to see. I just love the difference, I want Jordan, Coach Bentley, Stevie, Jackie, and Blair read the letters.
The characters are lovable, even the supporting one. I can feel the sisterhood that Karen feels with her teammate. Her relationship with Blair feels real with their up and down friendship, I even like Stevie with her superior acts since I understand what she means and wants from Karen long before she and Blair realize it. As for the main characters, Jordan and Karen I love that they are able to think and act more mature without losing their youth-reckless attitude. They know their priorities, responsible and able to draw and hold each other from their hormonal issues yet honest with their feeling and eager to know more and look for the answer about new things in their life. At this point I want my little sister to have those personalities. I think they picture it well. One thing that I feel different from other YA characters is the older characters, Coach Bentley, Jackie and Stacey. As adults, they let young characters make mistake and don't tell them what they have to do, instead they let them to figure it out by themselves and sometimes learn it together. I mostly love the interaction between Karen and Jackie. As a psychiatrist she doesn't dictate what Karen has to do to accept her lost. She guides her but it's her who takes time and way to accept it. I think it's more reasonable for me because I believe everyone needs different pace and way to heal from their sadness, there is no exact guide about it.
August 11, 2013
I absolutely adored this book. No, it is not a light-hearted read. The story-line revolves around some very serious topics and had my heart aching a little bit at one time or another. But everything in it- the characters, their dialogue and their actions rang true to me. I can honestly say that I loved almost every single one of the characters in this book.
The book follows Karen as she tries to come to terms with her grief over losing her loving parents, and trying to remain focused on her future. That is so much for a seventeen year old to take on, but Karen is incredible. So much is thrown at her and she has so many questions about death and even life. What really grabbed me was how all the emotions she went through and the questions she asked were genuine to people who lose their parents. They ask those same questions and they have those same emotions and it just felt so real to me.
Karen- I also love how she was honest with herself about what she was feeling, even if she was not being honest with everyone around her. She had to go through so much and I just wanted to answer all her questions and take all her pain away. I like her more than I like most of the troubled girls I have read in contemporary books of late. She was very genuine.
Jordan- I may or may not get the warm fuzzies every time I think of Jordan. He was just such a pivotal character going through his own grief. I love how he was honest as well, but still awkward and adorable- not at all a larger than life, perfect male lead. I love how the romance between the two characters progresses throughout the book. It is sweet and honest and makes me want to smile just thinking about it.
While the book may be centered around Karen's loss of her parents and her grief, I love how there is so much MORE to the book than that. It is about the relationships Karen has with all the rest of the characters in the book- between teammates, best friends, coaches, her growing relationship with Jordan, Karen's past with her family, and even Karen's relationship with gymnastics. I love how dynamic all of the relationships between Karen and the supporting characters were. Even if her and a certain character did not see eye to eye at a certain point, I still loved their interactions because that is what all real friendships are. I was just so sucked in! I can honestly say I loved everyone.....except Nina Jones. *makes face* Not her.
Also, throughout, all those characters and all the events that took place in the book, everything just flowed. It was nice not be be stuck or confused by anything.
My favorite part , however, was the letters Karen wrote to the other characters in the book. They were so heart- felt and like I mentioned before- honest. I loved the ones she wrote to her parents. Those letters just made me feel too much. I was an emotional mess at that part. But I loved every single minute of it.
The book follows Karen as she tries to come to terms with her grief over losing her loving parents, and trying to remain focused on her future. That is so much for a seventeen year old to take on, but Karen is incredible. So much is thrown at her and she has so many questions about death and even life. What really grabbed me was how all the emotions she went through and the questions she asked were genuine to people who lose their parents. They ask those same questions and they have those same emotions and it just felt so real to me.
Karen- I also love how she was honest with herself about what she was feeling, even if she was not being honest with everyone around her. She had to go through so much and I just wanted to answer all her questions and take all her pain away. I like her more than I like most of the troubled girls I have read in contemporary books of late. She was very genuine.
Jordan- I may or may not get the warm fuzzies every time I think of Jordan. He was just such a pivotal character going through his own grief. I love how he was honest as well, but still awkward and adorable- not at all a larger than life, perfect male lead. I love how the romance between the two characters progresses throughout the book. It is sweet and honest and makes me want to smile just thinking about it.
While the book may be centered around Karen's loss of her parents and her grief, I love how there is so much MORE to the book than that. It is about the relationships Karen has with all the rest of the characters in the book- between teammates, best friends, coaches, her growing relationship with Jordan, Karen's past with her family, and even Karen's relationship with gymnastics. I love how dynamic all of the relationships between Karen and the supporting characters were. Even if her and a certain character did not see eye to eye at a certain point, I still loved their interactions because that is what all real friendships are. I was just so sucked in! I can honestly say I loved everyone.....except Nina Jones. *makes face* Not her.
Also, throughout, all those characters and all the events that took place in the book, everything just flowed. It was nice not be be stuck or confused by anything.
My favorite part , however, was the letters Karen wrote to the other characters in the book. They were so heart- felt and like I mentioned before- honest. I loved the ones she wrote to her parents. Those letters just made me feel too much. I was an emotional mess at that part. But I loved every single minute of it.
July 16, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis as part of the Letters from Nowhere blog tour.)
17-year-old Karen is a gymnast. Her plan had been to go to college and compete as a college gymnast, but then her parents died, and everything changed.
Trying to come to terms with her grief, and trying to work out what she really wants to do with her life, Karen isn’t ready to give up her dreams of being an Elite gymnast and competing for her country, even though her parents wanted her to compete in college gymnastics instead.
Can Karen be an elite gymnast? Can she come to terms with her parent’s deaths and stop it from interfering with her training? And is now really the time to become interested in boys?
This was a nice YA contemporary romance story, combined with the passion and devotion of elite gymnastics.
Karen was a great character. I really felt for her having lost her parents the way she did, and I really had my fingers crossed that she could pour that pain into gymnastics rather than let it take over her life. It was so disappointing that something like this could not only take her family from her, but also take her future career too.
I personally didn’t think much to Karen’s grandma who seemed happy to just throw money at her in order to get her to go away, so it was good that Karen had the support of her coach and gym-mates.
The romance in this book was slow and sweet, although I did wonder what trouble Karen was getting herself into by being attracted to the boy that she lived with. If things hadn’t worked out for them that could have been a seriously sticky situation, and I’m surprised that she didn’t worry about how inappropriate it was for her to be going out with a boy that she lived with, seeing as she’s still a minor she could have been forced to move out because of that!
I think I preferred the gymnastics part of the story to the romance strangely enough. I loved how passionate Karen was, how much effort and work she put into achieving her goals. I loved how much detail there was in the story in relation to the gymnastics, and it really showed how much time the author must have taken to research the topic, right down to Karen’s specific gymnast diet.
The ending of the story was okay, and I liked the direction that Karen was heading in, although I still don’t think that she was 100% ready for the challenges that lay ahead.
Overall; a good YA contemporary romance set in the world of elite gymnastics.
7 out of 10.
17-year-old Karen is a gymnast. Her plan had been to go to college and compete as a college gymnast, but then her parents died, and everything changed.
Trying to come to terms with her grief, and trying to work out what she really wants to do with her life, Karen isn’t ready to give up her dreams of being an Elite gymnast and competing for her country, even though her parents wanted her to compete in college gymnastics instead.
Can Karen be an elite gymnast? Can she come to terms with her parent’s deaths and stop it from interfering with her training? And is now really the time to become interested in boys?
This was a nice YA contemporary romance story, combined with the passion and devotion of elite gymnastics.
Karen was a great character. I really felt for her having lost her parents the way she did, and I really had my fingers crossed that she could pour that pain into gymnastics rather than let it take over her life. It was so disappointing that something like this could not only take her family from her, but also take her future career too.
I personally didn’t think much to Karen’s grandma who seemed happy to just throw money at her in order to get her to go away, so it was good that Karen had the support of her coach and gym-mates.
The romance in this book was slow and sweet, although I did wonder what trouble Karen was getting herself into by being attracted to the boy that she lived with. If things hadn’t worked out for them that could have been a seriously sticky situation, and I’m surprised that she didn’t worry about how inappropriate it was for her to be going out with a boy that she lived with, seeing as she’s still a minor she could have been forced to move out because of that!
I think I preferred the gymnastics part of the story to the romance strangely enough. I loved how passionate Karen was, how much effort and work she put into achieving her goals. I loved how much detail there was in the story in relation to the gymnastics, and it really showed how much time the author must have taken to research the topic, right down to Karen’s specific gymnast diet.
The ending of the story was okay, and I liked the direction that Karen was heading in, although I still don’t think that she was 100% ready for the challenges that lay ahead.
Overall; a good YA contemporary romance set in the world of elite gymnastics.
7 out of 10.
September 9, 2013
*Review posted on Page Turners Blog on 9/9/2013*
I don't know if you're like me, but I love the Olympics, and I always wonder what it's like behind the scenes for these elite athletes. How do they cope with everyday stresses and overwhelming tragedies? We've all seen those stories where athletes succeed in spite of the odds being against them. We fall in love with them and cheer them on all the more because we know their background and the pain they went through to just be at the top. And it seems every single one of them has a burden that they carry into competition because no one's life is simple and happy all the time.
Julie was inspired by her own gymnastics and coaching background to write a story in a competitive gymnastics setting. But, this story is not just about athletes; it's about surviving against tragic odds.
If you’ve read my reviews of Tempest and Vortex, you already know that I love Julie's writing style; the plot rhythm of Letters to Nowhere is just as page turning-ly fast as you'd expect from any of her action-packed sequences in the Tempest series. But, Letters to Nowhere is a contemporary story and I expect certain things from a well-written contemp. First, the characters have to be believable and most of all real. Karen is one of my favorite contemp protagonists. She is a girl who struggles with not only staying on top of a competitive sport, but also with the tragedy that has forever changed her life.
I love how Julie introduced Coach Bentley and most of all, Jordan. The parallel between Jordan and Karen's coping processes made for the best kind of reading -- the kind where you feel all the feelings the characters are going through and you appreciate their struggles all the more.
I gave this book 5-stars and I wish I could tack on a few more.
I don't know if you're like me, but I love the Olympics, and I always wonder what it's like behind the scenes for these elite athletes. How do they cope with everyday stresses and overwhelming tragedies? We've all seen those stories where athletes succeed in spite of the odds being against them. We fall in love with them and cheer them on all the more because we know their background and the pain they went through to just be at the top. And it seems every single one of them has a burden that they carry into competition because no one's life is simple and happy all the time.
Julie was inspired by her own gymnastics and coaching background to write a story in a competitive gymnastics setting. But, this story is not just about athletes; it's about surviving against tragic odds.
If you’ve read my reviews of Tempest and Vortex, you already know that I love Julie's writing style; the plot rhythm of Letters to Nowhere is just as page turning-ly fast as you'd expect from any of her action-packed sequences in the Tempest series. But, Letters to Nowhere is a contemporary story and I expect certain things from a well-written contemp. First, the characters have to be believable and most of all real. Karen is one of my favorite contemp protagonists. She is a girl who struggles with not only staying on top of a competitive sport, but also with the tragedy that has forever changed her life.
I love how Julie introduced Coach Bentley and most of all, Jordan. The parallel between Jordan and Karen's coping processes made for the best kind of reading -- the kind where you feel all the feelings the characters are going through and you appreciate their struggles all the more.
I gave this book 5-stars and I wish I could tack on a few more.
August 16, 2013
Karen’s world has just collapsed with her parents’ sudden death in a car crash. Left reeling and attempting to pick up the pieces, Karen moves into her gymnastic coach’s house since, other than an absentee grandmother, he’s the closest thing to family Karen has left. Everything Karen though was important—training with complete discipline, competing as an elite gymnast, getting into the college she wants—suddenly all pales into comparison of the realities a fickle world where some people live and other people die.
And then Karen meets Jordan, Coach Bennet’s son. Jordan is the complete opposite of Karen—formerly an elite gymnast himself, he’s left the sport. He’s rebellious, gets into trouble, and shockingly, he understands Karen at this vulnerable point in her life in a way that no one else does.
Living under the same roof creates some hilarious situations as the two get to know each other and spend more and more time in each other’s company. In a world that no longer makes sense, suddenly something does—Jordan, and what Karen feels when she’s with him.
The characters are all so perfectly drawn. Jordan feels like such a teenage guy. Karen’s path through the cycles of grief are pitch perfect. The backdrop of the world of gymnastics is absolutely fascinating, and I just loved everything about this book.
Sweepingly romantic, raw, and completely real, Letters to Nowhere is a must read of 2013.
And then Karen meets Jordan, Coach Bennet’s son. Jordan is the complete opposite of Karen—formerly an elite gymnast himself, he’s left the sport. He’s rebellious, gets into trouble, and shockingly, he understands Karen at this vulnerable point in her life in a way that no one else does.
Living under the same roof creates some hilarious situations as the two get to know each other and spend more and more time in each other’s company. In a world that no longer makes sense, suddenly something does—Jordan, and what Karen feels when she’s with him.
The characters are all so perfectly drawn. Jordan feels like such a teenage guy. Karen’s path through the cycles of grief are pitch perfect. The backdrop of the world of gymnastics is absolutely fascinating, and I just loved everything about this book.
Sweepingly romantic, raw, and completely real, Letters to Nowhere is a must read of 2013.
August 12, 2016
4.25 stars.
This was surprisingly adorable.
When I first started this, I was like "Oh please, this book is clearly going to be 900% contrivance". Like, teenage girl's parents die in a car accident. She moves in with her gymnastics coach and his hot son. Sparks fly while she also achieves her gymnastic dreams. It sounds cheesier than the King Island Dairy on Camembert day.
And to some extent, it is. But it's also ridiculously cute and surprisingly funny at times. I mean, HE GOES TAMPON SHOPPING WITH HER LIKE TWO DAYS AFTER MEETING HER. It's pretty feelsy as Karen deals with her grief. The relationship between Karen and Jordan was sweet and it didn't feel instalove-y. I also enjoyed Karen coming to realise that her parents weren't perfect, and that her coach is an actual human being.
So. I went in expecting extreme cheese, and I came out wishing the Olympic gymnastics had been shown in Australia at a decent time. But LOL NOPE, we suck at gymnastics. Sigh.
This was surprisingly adorable.
When I first started this, I was like "Oh please, this book is clearly going to be 900% contrivance". Like, teenage girl's parents die in a car accident. She moves in with her gymnastics coach and his hot son. Sparks fly while she also achieves her gymnastic dreams. It sounds cheesier than the King Island Dairy on Camembert day.
And to some extent, it is. But it's also ridiculously cute and surprisingly funny at times. I mean, HE GOES TAMPON SHOPPING WITH HER LIKE TWO DAYS AFTER MEETING HER. It's pretty feelsy as Karen deals with her grief. The relationship between Karen and Jordan was sweet and it didn't feel instalove-y. I also enjoyed Karen coming to realise that her parents weren't perfect, and that her coach is an actual human being.
So. I went in expecting extreme cheese, and I came out wishing the Olympic gymnastics had been shown in Australia at a decent time. But LOL NOPE, we suck at gymnastics. Sigh.
August 13, 2016
Likes:
- I adored the love interest. Jordan was super adorable, sweet and honest.
- Karen was very passionate about what she did. She never gave up, despite having her bad moments.
- I adored the romance, since both characters were shy and it was super cute.
- Beautiful friendships were formed and strengthened.
- Lovely pacing.
Dislikes:
- Too many gymnastics terms. Couldn't understand most of them.
- I felt disconnected with the main character.
- There wasn't enough of a resolution for the father/son issues here.
- I adored the love interest. Jordan was super adorable, sweet and honest.
- Karen was very passionate about what she did. She never gave up, despite having her bad moments.
- I adored the romance, since both characters were shy and it was super cute.
- Beautiful friendships were formed and strengthened.
- Lovely pacing.
Dislikes:
- Too many gymnastics terms. Couldn't understand most of them.
- I felt disconnected with the main character.
- There wasn't enough of a resolution for the father/son issues here.
June 18, 2016
Originally posted at Stay Bookish
Letters To Nowhere is the most glorious YA Contemporary Sports Romance I’ve ever read. “Why oh why, do you say so,” you ask? Don’t worry, I’ll get there soon.
First off, what would you do if your parents died in a car accident? Wouldn’t you want some time away from real life? Karen Campbell, however, jumps right back in to her usual gymnastics routine. She also moves in to the home of her gym coach, who has kindly offered Karen to live in his house so she could continue with training.
Gymnastics was a huge part of Karen’s life and Julie Cross has done exceptionally well in writing about it. To be honest, I know nothing about gymnastics except that it entailed splits, flips and arabesques. (Okay, I may not know how an arabesque is done but at least I know how to spell it.) Having read about it in this book, I feel like I know so much more now. Cross’s portrayal of the life of elite gymnasts was vividly detailed. She perceptively elaborated about the intense practices that were involved and also how procedures in the competitions go. All these were unfamiliar territory but it was really great to have learned more about the sport.
Karen doesn’t know anyone outside of her gym but it was fun reading about her relationship with her team mates and coaches. Karen had a sisterly bond with Blair, Stevie and Ellen that was adorable. But as most sibling relationships go, there’s always some occasion where competition rises- which is acceptable for them since they’re gymnasts who are constantly trying to outdo each other. Stacey, the assistant coach was a hardass but she did a great job getting the girls to focus. Coach Bentley, the head coach and the one who’s house Karen had moved in to, was hard to understand at first. Even Karen was confused with what Bentley’s intentions were. As I read the story, Bentley became one of my favorite characters. He was a fantastic coach and he really helped Karen’s character grow more.
Grief was a crucial issue discussed in the book. Despite continuing gymnastics, a part of Karen was unable to move forward because of her loss. Haunted by nightmares, she was restless. Wanting to ease out of that restlessness, Karen began writing letters to her parents and the people surrounding her. She kept these letters to herself, but in it, I found her character sincere and immensely relatable. I loved how reflective Karen’s letters were. She pondered on so many things and her worries were relevant and real. Her thoughts and emotions were beautifully put- my heart completely ached.
“Are you so sad you can hardly breathe? Are you so sad you want to stop breathing?”
“I missed them both so much right now I thought my heart would break into a million pieces even before my head split open.”
I’ve saved the best part for last- sweet, innocent, amazing romance. Living in Coach Bentley’s house, Karen was forced to coexist with his son, Jordan Bentley. Oh my goodness, Jordan Bentley. Be still, my heart. Jordan, in Karen’s words is the “most perfect boy in the world.” I’d claim exaggeration but I completely agree with her. I love love love Jordan. Cross did such a fantastic job creating this male lead. Don’t get me wrong- Jordan is flawed, he has his own demons and anxieties. But what’s so great about Jordan is that he is so reliable and honest. He truly cared for Karen- there is no denying that. He said the sweetest words, but you could tell they came from the heart.
Jordan and Karen’s relationship- let’s just call it Jaren- won’t fail to make you fall in love. It took time to build, starting first from a friendship. The two were adorable, with their cute banter, and it was an easy decision to root for them to be together. Compared to other YA romances, Jaren did not come from a sudden, out-of-the-blue attraction but from a true connection. They shared the same grief but this wasn’t at all the base of their relationship. The love they had rooted from their concern for each other’s welfare and the fact that they enjoyed each other’s companionship. (Okay, I’m getting really cheesy but hey, I’m only stating truths.) Writers of insta-love romances, do take a lesson on how to write love stories from Julie Cross please.
So there. I’ve managed to pour all my heart in this review. I just really loved this book! It’s rare to find a self-published book that I truly enjoyed. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last. I’m still hoping for a book two for this one. (Need more Jaren!) Overall, if you’re looking for one helluva romance, you really should read Letters To Nowhere.
Letters To Nowhere is the most glorious YA Contemporary Sports Romance I’ve ever read. “Why oh why, do you say so,” you ask? Don’t worry, I’ll get there soon.
First off, what would you do if your parents died in a car accident? Wouldn’t you want some time away from real life? Karen Campbell, however, jumps right back in to her usual gymnastics routine. She also moves in to the home of her gym coach, who has kindly offered Karen to live in his house so she could continue with training.
Gymnastics was a huge part of Karen’s life and Julie Cross has done exceptionally well in writing about it. To be honest, I know nothing about gymnastics except that it entailed splits, flips and arabesques. (Okay, I may not know how an arabesque is done but at least I know how to spell it.) Having read about it in this book, I feel like I know so much more now. Cross’s portrayal of the life of elite gymnasts was vividly detailed. She perceptively elaborated about the intense practices that were involved and also how procedures in the competitions go. All these were unfamiliar territory but it was really great to have learned more about the sport.
Karen doesn’t know anyone outside of her gym but it was fun reading about her relationship with her team mates and coaches. Karen had a sisterly bond with Blair, Stevie and Ellen that was adorable. But as most sibling relationships go, there’s always some occasion where competition rises- which is acceptable for them since they’re gymnasts who are constantly trying to outdo each other. Stacey, the assistant coach was a hardass but she did a great job getting the girls to focus. Coach Bentley, the head coach and the one who’s house Karen had moved in to, was hard to understand at first. Even Karen was confused with what Bentley’s intentions were. As I read the story, Bentley became one of my favorite characters. He was a fantastic coach and he really helped Karen’s character grow more.
Grief was a crucial issue discussed in the book. Despite continuing gymnastics, a part of Karen was unable to move forward because of her loss. Haunted by nightmares, she was restless. Wanting to ease out of that restlessness, Karen began writing letters to her parents and the people surrounding her. She kept these letters to herself, but in it, I found her character sincere and immensely relatable. I loved how reflective Karen’s letters were. She pondered on so many things and her worries were relevant and real. Her thoughts and emotions were beautifully put- my heart completely ached.
“Are you so sad you can hardly breathe? Are you so sad you want to stop breathing?”
“I missed them both so much right now I thought my heart would break into a million pieces even before my head split open.”
I’ve saved the best part for last- sweet, innocent, amazing romance. Living in Coach Bentley’s house, Karen was forced to coexist with his son, Jordan Bentley. Oh my goodness, Jordan Bentley. Be still, my heart. Jordan, in Karen’s words is the “most perfect boy in the world.” I’d claim exaggeration but I completely agree with her. I love love love Jordan. Cross did such a fantastic job creating this male lead. Don’t get me wrong- Jordan is flawed, he has his own demons and anxieties. But what’s so great about Jordan is that he is so reliable and honest. He truly cared for Karen- there is no denying that. He said the sweetest words, but you could tell they came from the heart.
Jordan and Karen’s relationship- let’s just call it Jaren- won’t fail to make you fall in love. It took time to build, starting first from a friendship. The two were adorable, with their cute banter, and it was an easy decision to root for them to be together. Compared to other YA romances, Jaren did not come from a sudden, out-of-the-blue attraction but from a true connection. They shared the same grief but this wasn’t at all the base of their relationship. The love they had rooted from their concern for each other’s welfare and the fact that they enjoyed each other’s companionship. (Okay, I’m getting really cheesy but hey, I’m only stating truths.) Writers of insta-love romances, do take a lesson on how to write love stories from Julie Cross please.
So there. I’ve managed to pour all my heart in this review. I just really loved this book! It’s rare to find a self-published book that I truly enjoyed. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last. I’m still hoping for a book two for this one. (Need more Jaren!) Overall, if you’re looking for one helluva romance, you really should read Letters To Nowhere.
September 2, 2013
Review originally posted at Crawling Over the Pages
I haven’t anticipated this book to be this good. Surprisingly, the flow of the story was smooth and the mood of the characters was very contagious and I found it difficult to stop the overcoming multitude of emotions I felt especially towards Karen.
Other than the fact that I really liked the plot of the story, there are also other elements that made me appreciate this book even more. For instance, Karen’s character is a gymnast and this is the first time I encountered one. I loved how the author described in detail all the moves and positions performed by a gymnast. I really understood a lot. I enjoyed imagining how the moves were executed. I realize the rigorous training one must undergo to be a successful professional gymnast.
Also, I like the letters Karen has written to several people which were never sent or given to them. It served as an outlet for all the emotions she has to let go to move on with her life. That’s basically why it’s entitled Letters to Nowhere.
The text messages between Karen and Jordan is another plus. I find it really cute and it made me giggle and giddy.
Of course the major plus is Jordan Bentley. You’ll never have to try to like him because he’ll charm your pants out the moment you talk to him. He was a big help to Karen since they have the same experience therefore he can relate to whatever Karen is undergoing. I like his humor very much.
The two are really cute together. I feel like a silly teenager because they cause me to giggle too much. Just like this conversation below:
“Wow, there’s extra long and super extra long.” Jordan held a giant package of pads in each hand. “I wonder what the difference is in inches should we open them up to compare?”
Oh. My. God.
“And how does one know if they need wings or not?” he asked. He seems to know just what to say at the right time.
Coach Bentley is also a very significant character since he helped Karen realized how important her dream was and how much she is to achieving that dream. He is a veracious trainer and at some point, made Karen doubt if he really believes in her talent or is he was letting her figure out that she isn’t really that talented to continue her passion.
Letters to Nowhere left me taken aback by how great the story was. It was an emotionally heart-wrenching novel and a cute teenage love story at the same time. It made me cry at some point, then suddenly mad me giggle and laugh by how cute the interaction was between the two main characters, and lastly it left me confused as to how should I feel or how the book ended. I really felt the ending was an abrupt way of really ending the story. It lacked resolution. It felt like something was missing and I really think the author should write a second book to this one. I think with Karen competing and going Nationals, and Jordan being accepted to Stanford (which I think he will go to if Coach Bentley accepts the money offered by Karen) will provide a good plot for a follow up book. I hope she’ll write one because I really want another piece of Jordan Bentley.
I haven’t anticipated this book to be this good. Surprisingly, the flow of the story was smooth and the mood of the characters was very contagious and I found it difficult to stop the overcoming multitude of emotions I felt especially towards Karen.
Other than the fact that I really liked the plot of the story, there are also other elements that made me appreciate this book even more. For instance, Karen’s character is a gymnast and this is the first time I encountered one. I loved how the author described in detail all the moves and positions performed by a gymnast. I really understood a lot. I enjoyed imagining how the moves were executed. I realize the rigorous training one must undergo to be a successful professional gymnast.
Also, I like the letters Karen has written to several people which were never sent or given to them. It served as an outlet for all the emotions she has to let go to move on with her life. That’s basically why it’s entitled Letters to Nowhere.
The text messages between Karen and Jordan is another plus. I find it really cute and it made me giggle and giddy.
Of course the major plus is Jordan Bentley. You’ll never have to try to like him because he’ll charm your pants out the moment you talk to him. He was a big help to Karen since they have the same experience therefore he can relate to whatever Karen is undergoing. I like his humor very much.
The two are really cute together. I feel like a silly teenager because they cause me to giggle too much. Just like this conversation below:
“Wow, there’s extra long and super extra long.” Jordan held a giant package of pads in each hand. “I wonder what the difference is in inches should we open them up to compare?”
Oh. My. God.
“And how does one know if they need wings or not?” he asked. He seems to know just what to say at the right time.
Coach Bentley is also a very significant character since he helped Karen realized how important her dream was and how much she is to achieving that dream. He is a veracious trainer and at some point, made Karen doubt if he really believes in her talent or is he was letting her figure out that she isn’t really that talented to continue her passion.
Letters to Nowhere left me taken aback by how great the story was. It was an emotionally heart-wrenching novel and a cute teenage love story at the same time. It made me cry at some point, then suddenly mad me giggle and laugh by how cute the interaction was between the two main characters, and lastly it left me confused as to how should I feel or how the book ended. I really felt the ending was an abrupt way of really ending the story. It lacked resolution. It felt like something was missing and I really think the author should write a second book to this one. I think with Karen competing and going Nationals, and Jordan being accepted to Stanford (which I think he will go to if Coach Bentley accepts the money offered by Karen) will provide a good plot for a follow up book. I hope she’ll write one because I really want another piece of Jordan Bentley.
August 7, 2013
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Letters to nowhere was a real surprise and I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. I was interested in the gymnastic side of this and interested in the author but I wasn’t expecting much from it at all. It was touching, sweet and beautifully written and I am so glad I read it.
What I really loved about this book was how it deals with grief. Karen has lost both her parents in a car accident and the book is about how she moves on from the accident and how she copes with her grief. Loss is not an easy thing to deal with and everybody copes with it differently. What I loved about this book was that it dealt with the matter head on and explored the many aspects of it. It wasn’t dramatic or over the top, it wasn’t treated as though it was an easy thing to deal with. Instead it studied the stages of grief in a really respectful and adult way. Despite the subject matter Letters To Nowhere is not a hard read. It isn’t angsty or terribly dramatic. It does have emotional moments but this is about moving forward so there was a lot or positivity and hope.
I thought the gymnastic bits were also brilliant I am a fan of the sport but was concerned that the technical aspects would be hard to follow in a book. Julie Cross manages it all really well and the descriptions and gymnastic action was brilliantly done.
What I really loved in this book was the characters. Karen was great she was strong and brave and I did really like her. There were times when her chilled out attitude made me smile and times where I just wanted to hug her when she struggled. The supporting characters were just as great especially Bentley, her couch and new guardian and his teenage son Jordan.
Bentley is probably one of the best adults I have read in YA. So often the adults behave as immaturely as the kids in this genre, or they are the enemy. In this Bentley was a pillar of support and strength. He was caring and kind and took Karen into his home and heart even though he has suffered loss as well.
Jordan was adorable, I loved how supportive and caring he was where Karen was concerned. He was impossible to dislike and I just found him charming and completely endearing. He has his own struggles to deal with but he is open and honest and is more interested in solving problems than complicating them.
The relationship between him and Karen built slowly and beautifully and I really loved them together. They supported one another and were content to take things slowly. There was no real drama where the romance was concerned which I really loved.
My only complaint is that it ended very suddenly without much closure. I feel like an epilogue was needed just to tie up all those little loose ends and to give the reader more of an ending. Apart from that I really enjoyed this, it was sweet, touching and realistic and I would definitely recommend it to other readers.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 22, 2013
John’s review at Dear Author prompted me to give a new-to-me author a shot, and I ended up falling in love with this unexpectedly compelling YA. The plot sounded fairly generic YA if I'm perfectly honest - every other YA/NA seems to start off with a traumatic incident for the protagonist, and on the face of it, this was just another book telling the story of a teen who’s dealing with the death of her parents.
But Karen grabbed my attention from the start. She’s the kind of girl who is just so very easy to root for - she’s sixteen, and dealing with the loss of her parents with this hard-won maturity and wry humour. She’s trying to steer herself through her grief, balancing what she wants for herself against what she thinks her parents would have wanted, and I have to say some of her letters to her parents left me with a lump in my throat. But despite all of this, this was actually a feel-good story - not only did Karen make me laugh out loud at times, she has this competitive edge and quiet self-confidence, which made her come alive.
Which brings me to the sports element of this story, which completely worked for me. Julie Cross’s bio hints at her gymnastics background, which is put to excellent use here. I freely admit that all my knowledge of the sport is gleaned from the TV coverage whenever the Olympics come around, but I found this a fascinating peek into the world of elite gymnastics. Plus as bonus: the way Karen’s friendships with her fellow gymnasts were portrayed. They were both friends and competitors at the same time; it was really positive when showing how being supportive didn’t preclude holding back in competition - in fact, it was the opposite at times.
As for Jordan (a.k.a. swoony crush) - ah, he’s one of the good guys. It was one of those lovely friendship-to-romance relationships; I loved their funny and frank conversations and yes, their chemistry leapt off the page. And Coach Bentley... with all the media stories about authority figures crossing the line, you know it's got to be handled well - and it is.
So yes, I loved this book, and I really hope Julie Cross returns to this world because I want to know what Karen does next.
******
A version originally published on my blog: http://bookdaze.wordpress.com/2013/08...
But Karen grabbed my attention from the start. She’s the kind of girl who is just so very easy to root for - she’s sixteen, and dealing with the loss of her parents with this hard-won maturity and wry humour. She’s trying to steer herself through her grief, balancing what she wants for herself against what she thinks her parents would have wanted, and I have to say some of her letters to her parents left me with a lump in my throat. But despite all of this, this was actually a feel-good story - not only did Karen make me laugh out loud at times, she has this competitive edge and quiet self-confidence, which made her come alive.
Which brings me to the sports element of this story, which completely worked for me. Julie Cross’s bio hints at her gymnastics background, which is put to excellent use here. I freely admit that all my knowledge of the sport is gleaned from the TV coverage whenever the Olympics come around, but I found this a fascinating peek into the world of elite gymnastics. Plus as bonus: the way Karen’s friendships with her fellow gymnasts were portrayed. They were both friends and competitors at the same time; it was really positive when showing how being supportive didn’t preclude holding back in competition - in fact, it was the opposite at times.
As for Jordan (a.k.a. swoony crush) - ah, he’s one of the good guys. It was one of those lovely friendship-to-romance relationships; I loved their funny and frank conversations and yes, their chemistry leapt off the page. And Coach Bentley... with all the media stories about authority figures crossing the line, you know it's got to be handled well - and it is.
So yes, I loved this book, and I really hope Julie Cross returns to this world because I want to know what Karen does next.
******
A version originally published on my blog: http://bookdaze.wordpress.com/2013/08...
February 29, 2016
4.5 Stars! Read this review on my blog! --> Letters To Nowhere by Julie Cross
Letters to Nowhere is a story about a girl, Karen, dealing with a lot of changes in her life, some extremely more difficult than others. Not only does Karen lose both her parents, and also is now living with her gymnastics coach and his son, but her body is going through changes that couldn’t have developed at a worse time. It’s a lot. Luckily for Karen, Jordan, her roommate/coach’s son, is there to listen and help her try to cope.
Karen and Jordan, while uneasy about one another at first, bond fairly quickly. They have both suffered the same kind of loss and grief, and Jordan feels like he can help Karen being that he’s been there. Jordan is one of the good ones, you guys. He’s hot, Ivy League smart, funny, and super caring. He did have a bit of a player streak when we meet him, but it appears he was only just waiting for the right girl to come along because he was nothing like that throughout the book. In the end, they actually end up helping each other through more than either of them could have imagined. Their chemistry was really sweet and I loved their stolen moments together. I did feel that their voice was a bit too mature at times, specifically Jordan’s. He just sounded older than his 17 years sometimes. Really, that was the only reason it didn’t get 5 stars, because otherwise, I absolutely loved this story.
While I LOVED Karen and Jordan, I was also really surprised by how much I enjoyed submerging myself in this gymnastics world that Julie Cross shared with us. I never knew I would enjoy it so much. It was really interesting learning how much work gymnasts put into their athletic careers and how competitions worked. Julie did a great job creating such a clear picture for us.
I hope Julie Cross continues to write more stories like this one. I’d actually really love a sequel to this book because I’d love to know how everyone turned out.
Letters to Nowhere is a story about a girl, Karen, dealing with a lot of changes in her life, some extremely more difficult than others. Not only does Karen lose both her parents, and also is now living with her gymnastics coach and his son, but her body is going through changes that couldn’t have developed at a worse time. It’s a lot. Luckily for Karen, Jordan, her roommate/coach’s son, is there to listen and help her try to cope.
Karen and Jordan, while uneasy about one another at first, bond fairly quickly. They have both suffered the same kind of loss and grief, and Jordan feels like he can help Karen being that he’s been there. Jordan is one of the good ones, you guys. He’s hot, Ivy League smart, funny, and super caring. He did have a bit of a player streak when we meet him, but it appears he was only just waiting for the right girl to come along because he was nothing like that throughout the book. In the end, they actually end up helping each other through more than either of them could have imagined. Their chemistry was really sweet and I loved their stolen moments together. I did feel that their voice was a bit too mature at times, specifically Jordan’s. He just sounded older than his 17 years sometimes. Really, that was the only reason it didn’t get 5 stars, because otherwise, I absolutely loved this story.
While I LOVED Karen and Jordan, I was also really surprised by how much I enjoyed submerging myself in this gymnastics world that Julie Cross shared with us. I never knew I would enjoy it so much. It was really interesting learning how much work gymnasts put into their athletic careers and how competitions worked. Julie did a great job creating such a clear picture for us.
I hope Julie Cross continues to write more stories like this one. I’d actually really love a sequel to this book because I’d love to know how everyone turned out.
October 3, 2015
This is a smart, beautifully written, coming of age story about a young girl who has lived a sheltered life in the world of gymnastics. She's been taking her high school classes on-line, her only friends are the ones from her gym, she's never even talked to a boy. Then suddenly, she finds herself living with her coach and his teenage son. It's great for her so she can stay with her teammates and her coach, but it's weird.
As Karen learns how to live with Jordan, shuddering as he gulps from the milk jug, composing mental letters to him to correct things he might think about her, she also has to learn to live with her coach. He is one man at the gym, her coach, and another at his place (it won't ever be home).
There are a lot of ups and downs. So many emotional hurdles not just for Karen, but there is a surprising emotional scar that Jordan and Coach Bentley are hiding that they too have to face. Karen's hurdles come slowly, but the bandaid gets ripped off the scar with Jordan and Coach Bentley. Julie Cross handles both easily and in a believable way. She interweaves the loss and love with the story of Karen's gymnastic career and the support of her friends and Jordan and even her coach.
I fell for Karen as soon as the story started. She was numb and hardly able to follow what was happening. But she was so refreshingly honest and free of teenage drama. Don't get me wrong, there is some drama, but it's to be expected when she's dealing with the stages of grief. And Jordan, he's funny and vulnerable and honest as well which really endeared him to me. I loved the two of them together. And he does the most amazing things for Karen.
So, when someone shot me an email and asked if I wanted to read Julie Cross' new contemporary, what would you have said?
Thanks to the author for a copy of the novel for review. I was not influenced by this. The opinions expressed are my own.
As Karen learns how to live with Jordan, shuddering as he gulps from the milk jug, composing mental letters to him to correct things he might think about her, she also has to learn to live with her coach. He is one man at the gym, her coach, and another at his place (it won't ever be home).
There are a lot of ups and downs. So many emotional hurdles not just for Karen, but there is a surprising emotional scar that Jordan and Coach Bentley are hiding that they too have to face. Karen's hurdles come slowly, but the bandaid gets ripped off the scar with Jordan and Coach Bentley. Julie Cross handles both easily and in a believable way. She interweaves the loss and love with the story of Karen's gymnastic career and the support of her friends and Jordan and even her coach.
I fell for Karen as soon as the story started. She was numb and hardly able to follow what was happening. But she was so refreshingly honest and free of teenage drama. Don't get me wrong, there is some drama, but it's to be expected when she's dealing with the stages of grief. And Jordan, he's funny and vulnerable and honest as well which really endeared him to me. I loved the two of them together. And he does the most amazing things for Karen.
So, when someone shot me an email and asked if I wanted to read Julie Cross' new contemporary, what would you have said?
Thanks to the author for a copy of the novel for review. I was not influenced by this. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 13, 2013
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT
Elite gymnast, Karen has just learned both of her parents were killed in an accident. She only has a few months to go before Nationals and then on to the Olympics. Her grandmother comes quickly, but Karen has never been close to her and convinces her that she would like to stay with her coach who assumes responsibility for her. Moving in a daze, she writes letters to her newly deceased parents while working her way through grief and a horrible situation. Never having to deal with the opposite sex much, she comes face to face with Jordan, her coach's teen age son.
The connection between Jordan and Karen is almost immediate and Jordan has the ability to pull her out of what could be a horrible spiral into grief. He brings a bit of comic relief into a situation that could really be sad. Jordan also brings her out of dealing with her issues by facing them instead of her constant work out schedule. The back story of elite gymnasts really show the amount of dedication and self sacrifice that these athletes have. Jordan's father, Coach Bentley is one of those rare adults that see if Karen couldn't realize her goal, she would fall even deeper into downward spiral. This is just such a feel good book that shows while things are out of our control, with help from special people, you can rise above.
LOVED IT
Elite gymnast, Karen has just learned both of her parents were killed in an accident. She only has a few months to go before Nationals and then on to the Olympics. Her grandmother comes quickly, but Karen has never been close to her and convinces her that she would like to stay with her coach who assumes responsibility for her. Moving in a daze, she writes letters to her newly deceased parents while working her way through grief and a horrible situation. Never having to deal with the opposite sex much, she comes face to face with Jordan, her coach's teen age son.
The connection between Jordan and Karen is almost immediate and Jordan has the ability to pull her out of what could be a horrible spiral into grief. He brings a bit of comic relief into a situation that could really be sad. Jordan also brings her out of dealing with her issues by facing them instead of her constant work out schedule. The back story of elite gymnasts really show the amount of dedication and self sacrifice that these athletes have. Jordan's father, Coach Bentley is one of those rare adults that see if Karen couldn't realize her goal, she would fall even deeper into downward spiral. This is just such a feel good book that shows while things are out of our control, with help from special people, you can rise above.
August 12, 2013
Letters to Nowhere deals with some very hard subjects for those who are in their teens. Dealing with the loss of family members and finding forgiveness is the main theme throughout the story. Everything in Karen’s life is going great for her. She is a member of elite gymnastics and her future is planned out for her. Her life is ripped apart when the parents she loved so much are killed in car accident. While trying to come to terms with the fact that both of her parents are dead she is now living in a house with her gymnastics coach and his 17 year old son Jordan. A friendship is sparked between Karen and Jordan and possibly something more.
I liked the idea of this story but unfortunately for me I couldn’t connect with it. Karen and Jordan both seemed to act more 14 then 17 at times and things between them progressed almost too slowly for my taste. There were parts in the book that seemed to drag on and I was just waiting and waiting for something exciting to happen. I think everyone should still give Letters to Nowhere a try, even though I couldn’t connect I’m sure others will be able too.
I liked the idea of this story but unfortunately for me I couldn’t connect with it. Karen and Jordan both seemed to act more 14 then 17 at times and things between them progressed almost too slowly for my taste. There were parts in the book that seemed to drag on and I was just waiting and waiting for something exciting to happen. I think everyone should still give Letters to Nowhere a try, even though I couldn’t connect I’m sure others will be able too.
September 17, 2013
Writing down her thoughts, Karen feels as if there is still a connection to her parents, even though they have passed away. As an elite gymnast it is a pivotal point in her life where she needs to decide who to stay with while still a minor, her gymnastic coach offers to give her a home forcing Karen to choose between her grandmother and coach.
She hadn't planned on Jordan though, the coaches son. Jordan is friendly, slightly bad boy from what she can figure out, and obviously doesn't have a close relationship with his father. As their new roommate status turns to friends and then to something more precious, Karen finds an unlikely alias in dealing with the aftermath of her parents death. The pressure is building and everything in Karen's life is shifting, with Karen willing to take the leap she might find amazing things can happen.
I thought the letters she wrote were beautiful, I shed a few tears while she is holding a one sided conversation with her parents. Profound story and I appreciated that Karen had to learn to deal with her grief and it was not just swept under the rug. Excellent story.
She hadn't planned on Jordan though, the coaches son. Jordan is friendly, slightly bad boy from what she can figure out, and obviously doesn't have a close relationship with his father. As their new roommate status turns to friends and then to something more precious, Karen finds an unlikely alias in dealing with the aftermath of her parents death. The pressure is building and everything in Karen's life is shifting, with Karen willing to take the leap she might find amazing things can happen.
I thought the letters she wrote were beautiful, I shed a few tears while she is holding a one sided conversation with her parents. Profound story and I appreciated that Karen had to learn to deal with her grief and it was not just swept under the rug. Excellent story.
April 29, 2014
I'm working backwards through a few recent reads, in part because this is a book about which I have very little to say, so the saying takes little energy. I wouldn't even say I particularly "liked it", but 2 stars seems mean, as I usually have real, if cranky, things to say about the 2 star books. This should have been a lot more enjoyable than it was, given that not much was easily pinpoint-able as wrong. Just didn't like the main character much, didn't care about her tragedy (and come on - I'm usually all over the family tragedies), got thoroughly bored with the letters to her parents/coach/therapist/romantic interest, and didn't care about the romance. I was also unimpressed with the therapy Karen gets (psychological, rather than physical), and that's another thing I love seeing done well in fiction.
Kind of hard to understand how I could have enjoyed Third Degree so very much, and this so very little.
Kind of hard to understand how I could have enjoyed Third Degree so very much, and this so very little.
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