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Skipping Stones
"I would compare this novel with others that have had such a great impact they have ultimately been made into motion pictures." -The Book Enthusiast To love is to lose, but can she ever win again? There are five stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. And Alex Hart is right smack dab in the middle of denial when she meets the good-looking and mysterious Andrew Foster. Drew alone takes her one step closer to acceptance--the place where new and meaningful relationships blossom. But just as Alex thinks she's on the road to finally healing after a tragic accident, she's once again hit with a loss, a loss that just might destroy her. When faced with her world crumbling down for the second time in her life, Alex discovers that her true therapy is in the one who has always saved her. But can the boy who was just skipping stones be the rock she's always needed?
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2013
113 people are currently reading
1955 people want to read
About the author
J.B. McGee
23 books1,286 followersJ.B. McGee is a mother, wife, and the Amazon Top 100 author of the best selling This Series. Amazon Crossing acquired the German rights to her debut novel, Broken. Heartfall, her coming of age novel about a bullied ballerina, is a #1 best seller in the Teen and Young Adult Performing Arts genre. Skipping Stones, a military romance about a young woman strongly influenced by her faith and her family all the while searching for her true love, is a #1 best seller in Women's Christian Fiction.
When J.B.'s not writing, she enjoys reading as well as watching and live-chatting her favorite television shows with her friends. Her favorite shows are Quantico, Blindspot, Grey’s Anatomy, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Below Deck, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Scandal (mainly because of her love of Scott Foley).
Born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, she attended Converse College and eventually earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006.
In college, she was told by her children’s literature professor she would be the one student from her class to be an author. McGee shook her head and laughed. But in 2012, over six years after that statement was made and after a love of reading had been reignited, she gave writing a shot. J.B. gladly ate crow when she emailed her first book to the above mentioned children’s literature professor thanking her and acknowledging the accuracy of her prophecy.
In 2011, it was discovered that not only do both of her children, but also she and her husband, have mitochondrial disease. Affecting 1 in 2500 people, it has no cure or treatments. Being a writer allows J.B. to care for her family’s unique needs while also providing a platform for raising awareness for this disease.
She is a hopeless romantic who loves to escape into fairy tales—some she reads and some she creates.
J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia.
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/tfyhf
Web: http://www.jbmcgee.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorjbmcgee
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/j_b_mcgee
When J.B.'s not writing, she enjoys reading as well as watching and live-chatting her favorite television shows with her friends. Her favorite shows are Quantico, Blindspot, Grey’s Anatomy, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Below Deck, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Scandal (mainly because of her love of Scott Foley).
Born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina, she attended Converse College and eventually earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006.
In college, she was told by her children’s literature professor she would be the one student from her class to be an author. McGee shook her head and laughed. But in 2012, over six years after that statement was made and after a love of reading had been reignited, she gave writing a shot. J.B. gladly ate crow when she emailed her first book to the above mentioned children’s literature professor thanking her and acknowledging the accuracy of her prophecy.
In 2011, it was discovered that not only do both of her children, but also she and her husband, have mitochondrial disease. Affecting 1 in 2500 people, it has no cure or treatments. Being a writer allows J.B. to care for her family’s unique needs while also providing a platform for raising awareness for this disease.
She is a hopeless romantic who loves to escape into fairy tales—some she reads and some she creates.
J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia.
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/tfyhf
Web: http://www.jbmcgee.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorjbmcgee
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/j_b_mcgee
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
November 11, 2014
I was offered an ARC of Skipping Stones in exchange for an honest review. I typically read (and review) erotic romance, and since one of the biggest concerns/criticisms I had read was that there was no sex in this book. I was mildly intrigued by confusing comments, so I had to check it out for myself.
Okay, so first, let’s just get this out of the way. Hands-down, unequivocally, clearly, and indisputably, this is a book about love, and yes, for a romance junkie like myself, there’s even some of that too. Is there sex in the book? No, but sex without love is just mechanics. Without a good love story, really what’s the point?
Alex Hart is a survivor, and Skipping Stones is her journey of survival and resilience; living, breathing testament to the axiom that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. Her story is one of overcoming tragedy and loss, and of using the experiences of those losses to help make the world just a little better. It’s also a story of hope and trust. Trust that we will never be given more than we can bear, and hope that out of every tragedy, the possibility of rebirth exists.
C.S. Lewis describes four types of love as storge (affectionate love – the love between family members), phileo (love between friends), eros (romantic love – being in love), and agape (unconditional love – the love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstances). Skipping Stones is not only a story about romantic love, it’s a story about all of the aspects of love, and how love can not only shatter you, but it can also make you whole again.
At 15-years-old, Alex suffers an unthinkable tragedy – one that few of us could ever even fathom. Then, just three days later, another equally-unimaginable tragedy strikes. Alex is not just devastated; she is completely overwhelmed by the reality of her loss. The one thing (the only thing) that keeps Alex grounded in the face of her overwhelming grief is love – that of family, and that of a new friend, Drew. Drew shows Alex the unconditional love of a friend, and through that friendship, the evolution of romantic love. Then, just three weeks into her journey of healing, and with Drew as her near-constant companion, another loss occurs. And while this loss may not be considered necessarily tragic, it is equally catastrophic, and it’s confounding, and it threatens to decimate Alex’s already shattered heart.
Author J.B. McGee has written a beautiful story of unconditional all-encompassing love. But Skipping Stones is much, much more. It’s an exploration of the resilience of the human spirit and the promise of a second-chance love. It is also a story of enduring heartbreak and of finding the courage and hope to persevere. You’ll need a box of tissues, because there will be tears, but I promise that for every tear of sadness, there will be tears of joy in equal measure.
Skipping Stones would be wonderful for a book club or grief support group.
Beyond five courageous and resilient stars!
Okay, so first, let’s just get this out of the way. Hands-down, unequivocally, clearly, and indisputably, this is a book about love, and yes, for a romance junkie like myself, there’s even some of that too. Is there sex in the book? No, but sex without love is just mechanics. Without a good love story, really what’s the point?
Alex Hart is a survivor, and Skipping Stones is her journey of survival and resilience; living, breathing testament to the axiom that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. Her story is one of overcoming tragedy and loss, and of using the experiences of those losses to help make the world just a little better. It’s also a story of hope and trust. Trust that we will never be given more than we can bear, and hope that out of every tragedy, the possibility of rebirth exists.
C.S. Lewis describes four types of love as storge (affectionate love – the love between family members), phileo (love between friends), eros (romantic love – being in love), and agape (unconditional love – the love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstances). Skipping Stones is not only a story about romantic love, it’s a story about all of the aspects of love, and how love can not only shatter you, but it can also make you whole again.
At 15-years-old, Alex suffers an unthinkable tragedy – one that few of us could ever even fathom. Then, just three days later, another equally-unimaginable tragedy strikes. Alex is not just devastated; she is completely overwhelmed by the reality of her loss. The one thing (the only thing) that keeps Alex grounded in the face of her overwhelming grief is love – that of family, and that of a new friend, Drew. Drew shows Alex the unconditional love of a friend, and through that friendship, the evolution of romantic love. Then, just three weeks into her journey of healing, and with Drew as her near-constant companion, another loss occurs. And while this loss may not be considered necessarily tragic, it is equally catastrophic, and it’s confounding, and it threatens to decimate Alex’s already shattered heart.
Author J.B. McGee has written a beautiful story of unconditional all-encompassing love. But Skipping Stones is much, much more. It’s an exploration of the resilience of the human spirit and the promise of a second-chance love. It is also a story of enduring heartbreak and of finding the courage and hope to persevere. You’ll need a box of tissues, because there will be tears, but I promise that for every tear of sadness, there will be tears of joy in equal measure.
Skipping Stones would be wonderful for a book club or grief support group.
Beyond five courageous and resilient stars!
May 22, 2019
Alex's parents were off on the holiday of a lifetime leaving Alex with her grandparents for the summer, that was until a tragedy hit their town and caused a car crash which left Alex's parents dead. Now she has had her whole life uprooted and can't cope. So she runs to her safe spot, where she meets a young guy called Drew Foster. He seems to be the only one she can talk to, she feels connected to him, and over the summer, the two of them end up getting pretty cozy. Drew is the only one who seems to be able to pull Alex out of her grief spiral and help her move forward. The pair of them will become each other's lifeline, that is until Drew disappears without a trace and Alex is left wondering what happened to the guy she fell in love with. Years pass, and she has never forgotten about the boy who disappeared. Alex is now serving in the army as a Medic when she catches a glimpse of someone familiar - just a split second - the voice and the eyes. However, when she inquires about the name, nobody has heard of a Drew Foster, so she believes she imagined things. The book progresses further with more death and saddened moments, and Alex finally can find the one she calls Drew Foster and learn the truth about why he vanished. This was a sweet story, and when she finally saw him again after all those years, inside, I was rejoicing.
If you need an edgy NA and a sweet friendship reunited story, then check out Skipping Stones by JB McGee.
If you need an edgy NA and a sweet friendship reunited story, then check out Skipping Stones by JB McGee.
November 3, 2013
ARC Was Given To Blog For A Honest Review
When deciding what to read next, I tend to fall back to my standard type of book: troubled, alpha, tattooed males with hearts of gold who fall hard for their lady loves. I have grown rather fond of those types of books and tend to use them as my standard in choosing a book. Skipping Stones was not this type of book. Ok, wait; hear me out. Don’t let me lose you yet. I am not saying this isn’t a good book, it is. It’s just not one I would typically choose to read. This is one of the reasons why blog tours are such a good idea. They give you the opportunity to read something you might not ordinarily choose for yourself. Change is hard and I am the poster child for not liking change. In this case, this was a change for the better.
Skipping Stones is a contemporary romance that starts out with the two leading characters, Alex Hart and Drew Foster meeting as teenagers after a tragedy has rocked Alex’s world. When tragedy strikes, Alex finds solace in her beloved creek. As a child, her father would take her to the creek to teach her how to skip stones. At the creek she finds that she is not alone, a boy is there, Drew.
Drew becomes the air in her lungs reminding her to breathe. He gives her the relief from her reality. She finds herself wanting to experience her “firsts” in life with him. First kiss, first boyfriend, first love. She never wanted him to be her first love lost. When fate steps in and her world is turned upside down once more, she is left reeling from the experience. What do you do when life is leads you to a fork in the road. Do you take the easy route or the road less traveled? After all that life has thrown at Alex, she must make this decision of whether to follow her heart and let it turn to stone or find the man who has her heart.
First, let me start out by saying, I do not like to cry while reading books! It’s not a rule; it’s more of a preference. But by Chapter 3, I was at a point where I couldn’t read from the tears that were blurring my vision and by Chapter 20 the floodgates were wide open. I had to blow my nose and wipe my eyes repeatedly just to make it through! I haven’t had a good cry like that in a long time. It was cathartic. This book hit a part of my heart that I reserve for birthing babies! It turned me into a big ol’ crybaby.
With every written word, I felt Alex’s pain as she struggled to make it through her life. It made me reflect on my own loved ones and what it would feel like if I were in that situation. The chord was struck on my heartstrings as each melodic word lifted from the. Just like Alex, I have had panic attacks, and I know what it feels like when the proverbial bricks are pushing down on your chest.
This book made me remember what it was like to fall in love for the first time. To experience the wonderment of what it is to be in love for the first time, the quickening of your pulse, the rapid breathing, the little nuances like staring into someone’s eyes and actually feeling like you are seeing into their soul at that very moment. The thrill of being in love; I felt it in every word! This had nothing to do with sex; this was about love, intimacy and being wanted. I had forgotten what that experience was like.
From now on, I am going to be more open-minded when choosing a book to read. I was surprised at how emotionally connected I was to this book, and it had nothing to do with sex. If you want to be reminded of why we want to be in love, read this book. It’s a manual of falling in love…with a book.
http://bookfri-ends.com/skipping-ston...
When deciding what to read next, I tend to fall back to my standard type of book: troubled, alpha, tattooed males with hearts of gold who fall hard for their lady loves. I have grown rather fond of those types of books and tend to use them as my standard in choosing a book. Skipping Stones was not this type of book. Ok, wait; hear me out. Don’t let me lose you yet. I am not saying this isn’t a good book, it is. It’s just not one I would typically choose to read. This is one of the reasons why blog tours are such a good idea. They give you the opportunity to read something you might not ordinarily choose for yourself. Change is hard and I am the poster child for not liking change. In this case, this was a change for the better.
Skipping Stones is a contemporary romance that starts out with the two leading characters, Alex Hart and Drew Foster meeting as teenagers after a tragedy has rocked Alex’s world. When tragedy strikes, Alex finds solace in her beloved creek. As a child, her father would take her to the creek to teach her how to skip stones. At the creek she finds that she is not alone, a boy is there, Drew.
“…It’s hard for me to do anything other than smile when I’m around you.”
Drew becomes the air in her lungs reminding her to breathe. He gives her the relief from her reality. She finds herself wanting to experience her “firsts” in life with him. First kiss, first boyfriend, first love. She never wanted him to be her first love lost. When fate steps in and her world is turned upside down once more, she is left reeling from the experience. What do you do when life is leads you to a fork in the road. Do you take the easy route or the road less traveled? After all that life has thrown at Alex, she must make this decision of whether to follow her heart and let it turn to stone or find the man who has her heart.
“…God gives us the people we need in our lives for the amount of time he sees fit.”
First, let me start out by saying, I do not like to cry while reading books! It’s not a rule; it’s more of a preference. But by Chapter 3, I was at a point where I couldn’t read from the tears that were blurring my vision and by Chapter 20 the floodgates were wide open. I had to blow my nose and wipe my eyes repeatedly just to make it through! I haven’t had a good cry like that in a long time. It was cathartic. This book hit a part of my heart that I reserve for birthing babies! It turned me into a big ol’ crybaby.
With every written word, I felt Alex’s pain as she struggled to make it through her life. It made me reflect on my own loved ones and what it would feel like if I were in that situation. The chord was struck on my heartstrings as each melodic word lifted from the. Just like Alex, I have had panic attacks, and I know what it feels like when the proverbial bricks are pushing down on your chest.
This book made me remember what it was like to fall in love for the first time. To experience the wonderment of what it is to be in love for the first time, the quickening of your pulse, the rapid breathing, the little nuances like staring into someone’s eyes and actually feeling like you are seeing into their soul at that very moment. The thrill of being in love; I felt it in every word! This had nothing to do with sex; this was about love, intimacy and being wanted. I had forgotten what that experience was like.
“Love conquers all, always.”
From now on, I am going to be more open-minded when choosing a book to read. I was surprised at how emotionally connected I was to this book, and it had nothing to do with sex. If you want to be reminded of why we want to be in love, read this book. It’s a manual of falling in love…with a book.
http://bookfri-ends.com/skipping-ston...
October 1, 2013
Wow - you are going to need plenty of tissues for this book.
75% of this book is such an emotional roller-coaster ride, one, which I'm glad I climbed aboard for.
JB's writing was beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time.
I found myself having my iPhone in one hand and spatular in the other while cooking dinner, because I just couldn't put the book down.
We are first introduced to Alex who is staying with her grandparents while her parents go away for a few months, when tragedy strikes. During the worst time of her young life she meets Drew who is living close by and a friendship and love develops, which stays throughout the following years they are apart.
As the years go by and they live separate lives (huge jump in the story), Alex still longs for Drew and to find out why something happened all those years ago when they first met.
Then Alex arrives home and from here the story just didn't seem as intense as the first 75% of the book. They hadn't met or talked for years and when they have their first proper discussion after all this time something happens that had me frowning because it was kind of instant. There was no build up. I would have loved to see more between Alex and Drew, maybe a first date, maybe a bit of loving, but there was nothing.
It was a sweet heart wrenching love story and but for the very rushed ending it would be a 5* read, but I just felt there was something missing.
75% of this book is such an emotional roller-coaster ride, one, which I'm glad I climbed aboard for.
JB's writing was beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time.
I found myself having my iPhone in one hand and spatular in the other while cooking dinner, because I just couldn't put the book down.
We are first introduced to Alex who is staying with her grandparents while her parents go away for a few months, when tragedy strikes. During the worst time of her young life she meets Drew who is living close by and a friendship and love develops, which stays throughout the following years they are apart.
As the years go by and they live separate lives (huge jump in the story), Alex still longs for Drew and to find out why something happened all those years ago when they first met.
Then Alex arrives home and from here the story just didn't seem as intense as the first 75% of the book. They hadn't met or talked for years and when they have their first proper discussion after all this time something happens that had me frowning because it was kind of instant. There was no build up. I would have loved to see more between Alex and Drew, maybe a first date, maybe a bit of loving, but there was nothing.
It was a sweet heart wrenching love story and but for the very rushed ending it would be a 5* read, but I just felt there was something missing.
September 15, 2013
***ARC received by author in exchanged for an honest review***
Firstly let me say this, you will need tissues, lots and lots of tissues!!
'They say there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.'
Skipping Stones ripped my heart out, not just once, but repeatedly and I loved every second!
I was on the verge of tears for the first 60% of this book (as you can clearly see from my progress updates!)
"I think I know what it feels like to die. I think I must be dying. "
Alex Hart just 15 years of age when this story starts, is off to spend the summer with her papa an memaw while her parents travel overseas for 3 months.
Surely a summer full of fun is to follow for this happy teenage girl, right? Wrong! So, very, very wrong!
There isn't a lot that can be said that wont give this story away, so I will keep this review short and sweet.
The first 3/4's of this book had me so enthralled that I downloaded it to my iPhone so I could sneak read at work!! I just couldn't put it down, the emotion, the raw intensity drew emotions from me in buckets! So many beautiful heartbreaking and heartwarming tears through out!
"God won't give you more than you can handle. You know that because there have been times when you didn't think you'd make it, but you did."
The relationships were beautifully written, the storys twists and turns hit all the right button.
The last 1/4 of this book felt a little rushed, the relationships didn't have a lot of build up, I know they have been in love for a long time to some degree, however I believe there could have been a little more to these two as a couple. I wanted the first date, the lead up to the deep and beautiful love that these characters share, I wanted to see inside this true love story. I also would have liked to have Drews past explained a little more ( not that it took away from the book in any way, this is just my personal preference )
Over all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and as such this is a very solid 4 1/2 stars for me.
Thank you so much to JB McGee for allowing me to read and review for you x
Firstly let me say this, you will need tissues, lots and lots of tissues!!
'They say there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.'
Skipping Stones ripped my heart out, not just once, but repeatedly and I loved every second!
I was on the verge of tears for the first 60% of this book (as you can clearly see from my progress updates!)
"I think I know what it feels like to die. I think I must be dying. "
Alex Hart just 15 years of age when this story starts, is off to spend the summer with her papa an memaw while her parents travel overseas for 3 months.
Surely a summer full of fun is to follow for this happy teenage girl, right? Wrong! So, very, very wrong!
There isn't a lot that can be said that wont give this story away, so I will keep this review short and sweet.
The first 3/4's of this book had me so enthralled that I downloaded it to my iPhone so I could sneak read at work!! I just couldn't put it down, the emotion, the raw intensity drew emotions from me in buckets! So many beautiful heartbreaking and heartwarming tears through out!
"God won't give you more than you can handle. You know that because there have been times when you didn't think you'd make it, but you did."
The relationships were beautifully written, the storys twists and turns hit all the right button.
The last 1/4 of this book felt a little rushed, the relationships didn't have a lot of build up, I know they have been in love for a long time to some degree, however I believe there could have been a little more to these two as a couple. I wanted the first date, the lead up to the deep and beautiful love that these characters share, I wanted to see inside this true love story. I also would have liked to have Drews past explained a little more ( not that it took away from the book in any way, this is just my personal preference )
Over all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and as such this is a very solid 4 1/2 stars for me.
Thank you so much to JB McGee for allowing me to read and review for you x
September 23, 2013
**5 Heart-wrenchingly Beautiful Stars**
I don't even really know how to write my review for this book. I have so many different thoughts and feelings going on in my head and heart right now. This was my first book by JB McGee. I have her This series on my kindle but I haven't had a chance to read it, but when I saw the blurb to this book I just knew I had to read it right away. It totally captured me. Plus I LOVED that it is a standalone. There are just so many series out there that it is so refreshing when I find a standalone, and let a lone a standalone that is as wonderful as this book. This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster. There were times while reading this book that I was smiling and swooning, but then by the next page I was crying my eyes out and my heart was breaking. I loved how JB made you feel apart of Alex's life. I was totally invested in her life and all the things she went through. This book does deal with a pretty tough subject matter, but it was so beautifully written, that you can't help but be sucked in. I will say that this book is a very CLEAN book, as in there is no sex in the story, but I have to say that this story doesn't call for sex. I think that it would've been wrong to add that into this story. There are just some books and stories that sex can actually take away from a story and I feel that this is one of those books. Now I will admit I am one of those people who enjoy reading about sex in my books but let me tell you, you won't miss it in this story. The amount of emotion and feelings that are expressed in this book are strong enough that you really don't think about there being no sex. I could probably go on and on about this book but I just think that everyone needs to experience this book for themselves.
This story is about a girl named Alex. When we first meet Alex, she is 15 yrs old. She is going to spend the summer with her grandparents like she does every summer, while her parents go on a 3 month vacation to Europe. That is when things go horribly wrong for Alex. Through this book we got a very accurate portrayal of what a person goes through when something horrific happens to them. This book is the emotional journey of Alex going through the 5 stages of grief and how she copes and handles many different situations. Like I said before this story was so beautifully written that you feel everything Alex felt....every emotion!!!! In the mix of everything going on in Alex's life she meets a 17 yr old boy named Drew. Drew was absolutely adorable. He was so sweet to Alex and was such a strong shoulder for her to lean on. You can tell through the beginning of the story that Drew is also broken some how and that he is hiding a secret. We did eventually find out all about Drew's past and let me tell you it was just as heart=wrenching as Alex's. But his past never stopped him from being there for Alex. I loved them together, I liked how she felt at peace with him. To me this couple was very believable and I could totally feel their connection. As the story goes on and they are separated, we still follow Alex and everything she is doing to be a stronger person and overcoming all of her grief. This story expands over many years, so that in the end Alex and Drew are in their 30's. I loved the ending of this book....it was great to see how they turned out as adults and what became of them as they got older.
Even though this book had a love story between Alex and Drew, this book to me was so much more. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an emotional read with a love story built in. You will for sure need tissues handy with this book.
Reviewed for www.bookbitchesblog.com
I don't even really know how to write my review for this book. I have so many different thoughts and feelings going on in my head and heart right now. This was my first book by JB McGee. I have her This series on my kindle but I haven't had a chance to read it, but when I saw the blurb to this book I just knew I had to read it right away. It totally captured me. Plus I LOVED that it is a standalone. There are just so many series out there that it is so refreshing when I find a standalone, and let a lone a standalone that is as wonderful as this book. This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster. There were times while reading this book that I was smiling and swooning, but then by the next page I was crying my eyes out and my heart was breaking. I loved how JB made you feel apart of Alex's life. I was totally invested in her life and all the things she went through. This book does deal with a pretty tough subject matter, but it was so beautifully written, that you can't help but be sucked in. I will say that this book is a very CLEAN book, as in there is no sex in the story, but I have to say that this story doesn't call for sex. I think that it would've been wrong to add that into this story. There are just some books and stories that sex can actually take away from a story and I feel that this is one of those books. Now I will admit I am one of those people who enjoy reading about sex in my books but let me tell you, you won't miss it in this story. The amount of emotion and feelings that are expressed in this book are strong enough that you really don't think about there being no sex. I could probably go on and on about this book but I just think that everyone needs to experience this book for themselves.
This story is about a girl named Alex. When we first meet Alex, she is 15 yrs old. She is going to spend the summer with her grandparents like she does every summer, while her parents go on a 3 month vacation to Europe. That is when things go horribly wrong for Alex. Through this book we got a very accurate portrayal of what a person goes through when something horrific happens to them. This book is the emotional journey of Alex going through the 5 stages of grief and how she copes and handles many different situations. Like I said before this story was so beautifully written that you feel everything Alex felt....every emotion!!!! In the mix of everything going on in Alex's life she meets a 17 yr old boy named Drew. Drew was absolutely adorable. He was so sweet to Alex and was such a strong shoulder for her to lean on. You can tell through the beginning of the story that Drew is also broken some how and that he is hiding a secret. We did eventually find out all about Drew's past and let me tell you it was just as heart=wrenching as Alex's. But his past never stopped him from being there for Alex. I loved them together, I liked how she felt at peace with him. To me this couple was very believable and I could totally feel their connection. As the story goes on and they are separated, we still follow Alex and everything she is doing to be a stronger person and overcoming all of her grief. This story expands over many years, so that in the end Alex and Drew are in their 30's. I loved the ending of this book....it was great to see how they turned out as adults and what became of them as they got older.
Even though this book had a love story between Alex and Drew, this book to me was so much more. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an emotional read with a love story built in. You will for sure need tissues handy with this book.
Reviewed for www.bookbitchesblog.com
September 9, 2013
Oh where to even start with the amazing book! I am going to warn you now, it is a tear jerker of a book. I cried from the beginning to the end.
Alex Hart was ready for a Summer with her grandparent, while her parents go on a three month trip of traveling. Her Summer soon turns into a nightmare and this story is her story of survival, love, loss and promises broken and kept.
I can't tell you too much without giving away the plot. Know that this a book that will speak to your heart and let you know that even when you think your life is over, it just might be starting.
Love this book J.B.!
Alex Hart was ready for a Summer with her grandparent, while her parents go on a three month trip of traveling. Her Summer soon turns into a nightmare and this story is her story of survival, love, loss and promises broken and kept.
I can't tell you too much without giving away the plot. Know that this a book that will speak to your heart and let you know that even when you think your life is over, it just might be starting.
Love this book J.B.!
September 15, 2013
“If the night never ends, then there’s never a new day ... and with a new day comes renewed hope, light.”
J.B. McGee has outdone herself and completely showcased her imagination and ability to tell a story with Skipping Stones. This heart-wrenching novel requires a survival kit of tissues, bottled water (to replenish the loss of fluid through tears), tissues, and...more tissues. I knew reading this story was going to be emotional for me, given what I've recently gone through in my personal life. I didn't know that Alex's story ran so parallel to my own recent events, bringing forth emotions from me that needed release but had been held inside until just the right moment. Skipping Stones was the catalyst for an emotional meltdown that I hadn't yet seen but desperately needed.
Alex is a young fifteen year old girl when her story begins and is very wise beyond her years. Her relationship with her grandparents, particularly her papa, is touching; I really felt the author's love for her own grandfather channeled through Alex. This young girl has experienced so much tragedy and loss in such a short span of time, but then she meets Drew at the creek near her grandparents' home. She is immediately drawn to Drew, and he is the only one who can comfort Alex in her grief. Just his presence alone sends a wave of peace over Alex.
Drew recognizes something special in Alex that he hasn't seen in other girls. During the three weeks Alex and Drew spend together, the mutual attraction they feel quickly grows into a beautiful friendship and turns into deep seeded love for one another. Drew harbors a secret of his own, which threatens his friendship with Alex and robs her of the one comfort she has to sustain her through the worst time of her life.
The emotionalism, the intensity of Alex's losses, and timing of the events in her life all serve as a test to her strength and character. You can't have a testimony without a test, and Alex has been tested with more than some could muster the courage to stand. Drew carries Alex literally and figuratively when she is unable to carry herself. He wasn't always physically present, but he also never really left her.
For as much sadness and pain I felt in my reading of Skipping Stones, I experienced a deeper feeling of happiness and hope in the end. I've had difficulty finding the words to write what I want in this review because it is such an emotional reading for me. The more I think about Skipping Stones, the more I realize just how much it made me "feel"something. The depths of the emotion I felt for Alex's situation and the parallelism with my own connection to her loss is astounding.
If you are expecting sex and steamy heat, then you will be surprised because there is none. In fact those actions or scenes weren't necessary to the plot or relationship between Drew and Alex and would have been out of place, taking away from the true message within Alex's story. The author has led the reader to use his/her own imagination, alluding to the possibility of sex without actually stating or distracting from the deeper meaning of the story - the story of grief, recovery, and finding that shelter to sustain you in the midst of tragedy. This is a novel which offers messages of strength, comfort, and hope.
There is a deeper, hidden message within the pages of Skipping Stones: There is hope to be reunited with loved ones again, and with faith, the strength will be provided to us to propel us forward....life goes on.
Some of my favorite quotes:
His lips brush my ear as his voice causes my body to come to attention. “If the night never ends, then there’s never a new day ... and with a new day comes renewed hope, light.” Turning my head so I can look into his eyes, I strum my fingers across his cheek. “You’re right. I think we've both had enough darkness. I want to live in light.” ~ Alex
“I've learned through the years that it’s not where you live, it’s the people who surround you that make you feel at home.” ~ Drew
“This time, I want the hugs, kisses, and love that comes with a farewell ... even if it’s a temporary one.” He takes a step and cups my head in his hands. “I want to say ‘see ya later’ and know that it’s not a final goodbye. I want to memorize every line,” he strums his finger across my face, “every line of your face, Alex. When I walk away, I want to know that I've made every last second I had with you count.” ~ Drew
J.B. McGee has outdone herself and completely showcased her imagination and ability to tell a story with Skipping Stones. This heart-wrenching novel requires a survival kit of tissues, bottled water (to replenish the loss of fluid through tears), tissues, and...more tissues. I knew reading this story was going to be emotional for me, given what I've recently gone through in my personal life. I didn't know that Alex's story ran so parallel to my own recent events, bringing forth emotions from me that needed release but had been held inside until just the right moment. Skipping Stones was the catalyst for an emotional meltdown that I hadn't yet seen but desperately needed.
Alex is a young fifteen year old girl when her story begins and is very wise beyond her years. Her relationship with her grandparents, particularly her papa, is touching; I really felt the author's love for her own grandfather channeled through Alex. This young girl has experienced so much tragedy and loss in such a short span of time, but then she meets Drew at the creek near her grandparents' home. She is immediately drawn to Drew, and he is the only one who can comfort Alex in her grief. Just his presence alone sends a wave of peace over Alex.
Drew recognizes something special in Alex that he hasn't seen in other girls. During the three weeks Alex and Drew spend together, the mutual attraction they feel quickly grows into a beautiful friendship and turns into deep seeded love for one another. Drew harbors a secret of his own, which threatens his friendship with Alex and robs her of the one comfort she has to sustain her through the worst time of her life.
The emotionalism, the intensity of Alex's losses, and timing of the events in her life all serve as a test to her strength and character. You can't have a testimony without a test, and Alex has been tested with more than some could muster the courage to stand. Drew carries Alex literally and figuratively when she is unable to carry herself. He wasn't always physically present, but he also never really left her.
For as much sadness and pain I felt in my reading of Skipping Stones, I experienced a deeper feeling of happiness and hope in the end. I've had difficulty finding the words to write what I want in this review because it is such an emotional reading for me. The more I think about Skipping Stones, the more I realize just how much it made me "feel"something. The depths of the emotion I felt for Alex's situation and the parallelism with my own connection to her loss is astounding.
If you are expecting sex and steamy heat, then you will be surprised because there is none. In fact those actions or scenes weren't necessary to the plot or relationship between Drew and Alex and would have been out of place, taking away from the true message within Alex's story. The author has led the reader to use his/her own imagination, alluding to the possibility of sex without actually stating or distracting from the deeper meaning of the story - the story of grief, recovery, and finding that shelter to sustain you in the midst of tragedy. This is a novel which offers messages of strength, comfort, and hope.
There is a deeper, hidden message within the pages of Skipping Stones: There is hope to be reunited with loved ones again, and with faith, the strength will be provided to us to propel us forward....life goes on.
Some of my favorite quotes:
His lips brush my ear as his voice causes my body to come to attention. “If the night never ends, then there’s never a new day ... and with a new day comes renewed hope, light.” Turning my head so I can look into his eyes, I strum my fingers across his cheek. “You’re right. I think we've both had enough darkness. I want to live in light.” ~ Alex
“I've learned through the years that it’s not where you live, it’s the people who surround you that make you feel at home.” ~ Drew
“This time, I want the hugs, kisses, and love that comes with a farewell ... even if it’s a temporary one.” He takes a step and cups my head in his hands. “I want to say ‘see ya later’ and know that it’s not a final goodbye. I want to memorize every line,” he strums his finger across my face, “every line of your face, Alex. When I walk away, I want to know that I've made every last second I had with you count.” ~ Drew
September 29, 2013
Ok, yes I heard the hype that there was “no sex” in this book and that it was different from JB McGee’s other works. Yes, I am a huge fan of Erotica and Contemporary Romance, BUT I am a “cover girl” first and foremost. If the cover gets me then I look further. Something about this cover just screamed “READ ME”……and boy am I glad I did. Now that being said, let me just warn you that tissues…yes tissues, and lots of them will be required. I wore my red, puffy eyes with pride the morning after I finished this AMAZING, heart wrenching and beautiful story. Please do not let the fact there is no “sex” in the story deter you from reading. You will be depriving yourself of a great read.
Spending your summer vacation with your Papa and Memaw while you parents travel abroad should be a recipe for fun. But when tragedy strikes and sends your world crashing down around you what is a 15 year old girl to do. Alex Hart has always found solace at the creek and although grieving is pleasantly surprised to find a stranger there.
Drew can sense that something is wrong but he does not push for information, instead he just comforts Alex and eases the ache in her heart.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I know that I just met you and already I wish I could make it all better.” ~ Drew
Their connection was almost instant and you could feel the love pouring from the pages but just as quick as Drew arrived in Alex’s life, he was gone....just like that.
I think I shed as many tears reading this book as Alex did. It was such an emotional roller coaster. How much pain and loss can one person take before it breaks them. There were moments in the story that Alex shared with her Papa that brought back similar memories of my grandfather and I giving the story a personal connection. I was hoping that Alex would find peace and more than anything happiness.
As time passes and life happens, Alex is always haunted by memories of Drew. Then when he suddenly reappears again in her life she is a mix of emotions. Will Alex and Drew be able to overcome the pain of their pasts and finally find what has eluded both of them for years……..happiness?
“Fight for us, Alex For Me. Don’t try and fight our destiny –“ ~ Drew
Not much more can be said about the AMAZING story without giving away too much. I read this book in one day because honestly it was an emotional train wreck and I just couldn't tear myself away. The pain was just that good. All I can say is that this story left me unable to read for a few days after finishing and even a few more days before I was able to write this review.
Spending your summer vacation with your Papa and Memaw while you parents travel abroad should be a recipe for fun. But when tragedy strikes and sends your world crashing down around you what is a 15 year old girl to do. Alex Hart has always found solace at the creek and although grieving is pleasantly surprised to find a stranger there.
Drew can sense that something is wrong but he does not push for information, instead he just comforts Alex and eases the ache in her heart.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I know that I just met you and already I wish I could make it all better.” ~ Drew
Their connection was almost instant and you could feel the love pouring from the pages but just as quick as Drew arrived in Alex’s life, he was gone....just like that.
I think I shed as many tears reading this book as Alex did. It was such an emotional roller coaster. How much pain and loss can one person take before it breaks them. There were moments in the story that Alex shared with her Papa that brought back similar memories of my grandfather and I giving the story a personal connection. I was hoping that Alex would find peace and more than anything happiness.
As time passes and life happens, Alex is always haunted by memories of Drew. Then when he suddenly reappears again in her life she is a mix of emotions. Will Alex and Drew be able to overcome the pain of their pasts and finally find what has eluded both of them for years……..happiness?
“Fight for us, Alex For Me. Don’t try and fight our destiny –“ ~ Drew
Not much more can be said about the AMAZING story without giving away too much. I read this book in one day because honestly it was an emotional train wreck and I just couldn't tear myself away. The pain was just that good. All I can say is that this story left me unable to read for a few days after finishing and even a few more days before I was able to write this review.
September 20, 2013
I am not so sure my heart was ready for Skipping Stones, but it was a fabulous journey for me to take.
This is a beautiful story of love, loss, heartache and family. Of course, the most important of these things in love and this book conveys that in such a beautifully told story. Alex has just lost her parents within days of each other. She is having a hard time understanding why. She has lost everything. She has lost herself and what she considers her life. But on one of those fateful days following the death of her mother, she meets Drew.
Drew is kind and compassionate. He is caring and witty and he has a heart of gold. One other thing Drew has is the ability to calm Alex and make her feel almost human again. He makes her smile and she knows that even though she just suffered the greatest loss she will ever know, he is the only one that can comfort her. Alex knows that she shouldn’t be flirting or having fun after such tragedy, but Drew brings it out in her. When she is with him, her life is somehow less complicated and she is able to let down her guard.
Drew wants nothing more than to help Alex in her time of grief. He is so drawn to her and he knows that there is something special there. He feels the strong need to protect her and take care of her.
But when he suddenly disappears from her life, Alex is completely crushed. The only thing she has left to focus on is school her papa and memaw. She does everything possible to forget about Drew, but many, many years later it is the one thing she has never been able to get over. Will Drew and Alex find their way back together? Will they never see each other again? Did Drew miss her as much as she missed him?
This story just tore me to pieces. I spent a great deal of it in tears. But I spent a lot of time wondering if Drew was even real or if he was just a figment of her imagination sent to guide her through the toughest point of her life. It seems that Drew always seems to appear when Alex needs him the most. It is a bond that cannot be broken and it was such a beautiful love story amist all of the tragedy.
Despite my heart and my tears, I adored this book. It is a great journey through not only the grief process, but the journey to true love. It was well told and my heart broke with Alex’s and my heart smiled with hers. I really have a great appreciate for this book. Yes, it is not a typical romance. It is tragic, emotional and beautiful. It takes real talent to take such a big loss and still make it a beautiful love story at the same time.
*I received a complimentary copy of Skipping Stones in exchange for an honest review*
This is a beautiful story of love, loss, heartache and family. Of course, the most important of these things in love and this book conveys that in such a beautifully told story. Alex has just lost her parents within days of each other. She is having a hard time understanding why. She has lost everything. She has lost herself and what she considers her life. But on one of those fateful days following the death of her mother, she meets Drew.
Drew is kind and compassionate. He is caring and witty and he has a heart of gold. One other thing Drew has is the ability to calm Alex and make her feel almost human again. He makes her smile and she knows that even though she just suffered the greatest loss she will ever know, he is the only one that can comfort her. Alex knows that she shouldn’t be flirting or having fun after such tragedy, but Drew brings it out in her. When she is with him, her life is somehow less complicated and she is able to let down her guard.
Drew wants nothing more than to help Alex in her time of grief. He is so drawn to her and he knows that there is something special there. He feels the strong need to protect her and take care of her.
But when he suddenly disappears from her life, Alex is completely crushed. The only thing she has left to focus on is school her papa and memaw. She does everything possible to forget about Drew, but many, many years later it is the one thing she has never been able to get over. Will Drew and Alex find their way back together? Will they never see each other again? Did Drew miss her as much as she missed him?
This story just tore me to pieces. I spent a great deal of it in tears. But I spent a lot of time wondering if Drew was even real or if he was just a figment of her imagination sent to guide her through the toughest point of her life. It seems that Drew always seems to appear when Alex needs him the most. It is a bond that cannot be broken and it was such a beautiful love story amist all of the tragedy.
Despite my heart and my tears, I adored this book. It is a great journey through not only the grief process, but the journey to true love. It was well told and my heart broke with Alex’s and my heart smiled with hers. I really have a great appreciate for this book. Yes, it is not a typical romance. It is tragic, emotional and beautiful. It takes real talent to take such a big loss and still make it a beautiful love story at the same time.
*I received a complimentary copy of Skipping Stones in exchange for an honest review*
October 23, 2013
This book absolutely put my emotions through the ringer! You know those books, where after you are finished you just sit there and stare at nothing? Yeah, I was there. Skipping Stones is about losing those most important to you but, it’s more than that. It’s about finding comfort in another’s arms and making the best out of the worst. It’s about never giving up, even if you want to. And, finding strength within yourself and those around you, to help you get through. It’s about finding your first love and never letting that love go, no matter the circumstances.
Alex lost everything as a teenager. Her world changed so quickly that it didn’t even seem real. What was supposed to be a summer with her grandparents turned into always. Alex needed some time alone and decides to head to the creek. She takes solace there but on this day, someone else is there. This is where she meets Drew and once again, her life is forever changed. He brings a new comfort and she clings to these new feelings. Sometimes guilt takes over. With everything she’s dealing with, she just wants to spend more time with Drew. He helps her forget. Nothing wrong with that, I say! It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes either!
Alex is growing closer to Drew and he looks forward to seeing her, whenever possible. He teaches her to skip stones when they first meet.
“Skipping Stones always helps me when I can’t talk about stuff, too.”
Drew really cares for Alex but she doesn’t know much about him. She knows she trusts him and her grandparents learn to trust him too. When the time comes for Alex to go back to her home and get her room packed, she is only gone for the day. But when she gets home Drew is gone. Like gone, gone. The only things she has that let her know he was real was the pile of rocks they used to skip across the creek. So, I was like ‘what the what?’ Where could he have gone? My heart broke for her all over again! She was beginning to put her herself together again…
I could go on and on telling you about the story but, of course, I’m not going to do that. I want you to read their story for yourself. Skipping Stones is a clean romance that is so beautiful that I don’t think I can handle anything else. The story sucked me in immediately. I’m usually reading several books at once and every time I sat one book down and picked this one up, I was quickly grabbing tissues and watching the story play out in my head. I hope you love this story as much as I did! 5++++ stars!
Alex lost everything as a teenager. Her world changed so quickly that it didn’t even seem real. What was supposed to be a summer with her grandparents turned into always. Alex needed some time alone and decides to head to the creek. She takes solace there but on this day, someone else is there. This is where she meets Drew and once again, her life is forever changed. He brings a new comfort and she clings to these new feelings. Sometimes guilt takes over. With everything she’s dealing with, she just wants to spend more time with Drew. He helps her forget. Nothing wrong with that, I say! It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes either!
Alex is growing closer to Drew and he looks forward to seeing her, whenever possible. He teaches her to skip stones when they first meet.
“Skipping Stones always helps me when I can’t talk about stuff, too.”
Drew really cares for Alex but she doesn’t know much about him. She knows she trusts him and her grandparents learn to trust him too. When the time comes for Alex to go back to her home and get her room packed, she is only gone for the day. But when she gets home Drew is gone. Like gone, gone. The only things she has that let her know he was real was the pile of rocks they used to skip across the creek. So, I was like ‘what the what?’ Where could he have gone? My heart broke for her all over again! She was beginning to put her herself together again…
I could go on and on telling you about the story but, of course, I’m not going to do that. I want you to read their story for yourself. Skipping Stones is a clean romance that is so beautiful that I don’t think I can handle anything else. The story sucked me in immediately. I’m usually reading several books at once and every time I sat one book down and picked this one up, I was quickly grabbing tissues and watching the story play out in my head. I hope you love this story as much as I did! 5++++ stars!
September 15, 2013
Skipping Stones
To say I don't know where to start this review just doesn't describe my feelings for this book. This was just... What I mean to say is... Oh my gosh... Just WOW! Such an emotional journey of life, loss and a deep love that can and will survive.
The story begins with Alex who is only 15 (but is described as an "old soul") who is on her way to stay with her grandparents while her parents take a vacation. When tragedy strikes leaving Alex crushed and heartbroken she meets Drew. From the moment they see each other Drew realizes Alex's immense grief and begins to comfort and console her trying to help her deal with her devastating loss. As this terrible time in her life envelopes her soul, she feels a gratefulness for Drew and wonders if he is an angel. But when Drew unexpectedly disappears, Alex begins to question whether he was even real.
Drew has always been a loner and kept to himself. When he sees Alex for the first time he feels a chemistry and almost an immediate need to help her. Knowing that he is the only one seemingly to have a special connection with Alex, he feels the best thing he can do to help her is to stay close. Unfortunately there are circumstances in Drew's past that are out of his control and although he wishes to always be there for Alex, he quickly has to leave and never gets a chance to say goodbye.
Although I would love to and feel a deep need to say so much more, I don't feel that I can without risking spoiling the story for those who make the decision to read this book. Skipping Stones is nothing like anything J.B. has written before. I would compare this novel with others that have had such a great impact they have ultimately been made into motion pictures. Standing ovation and applause to you J.B. for this story. Unbelievably beautiful and well-written. This book should come with a box of tissues. Even now that I've finished reading it, I can still feel the emotion, lump in my throat and tears threatening. This book touched me very deeply. Thank you J.B.
Definitely 5 stars!
To say I don't know where to start this review just doesn't describe my feelings for this book. This was just... What I mean to say is... Oh my gosh... Just WOW! Such an emotional journey of life, loss and a deep love that can and will survive.
The story begins with Alex who is only 15 (but is described as an "old soul") who is on her way to stay with her grandparents while her parents take a vacation. When tragedy strikes leaving Alex crushed and heartbroken she meets Drew. From the moment they see each other Drew realizes Alex's immense grief and begins to comfort and console her trying to help her deal with her devastating loss. As this terrible time in her life envelopes her soul, she feels a gratefulness for Drew and wonders if he is an angel. But when Drew unexpectedly disappears, Alex begins to question whether he was even real.
Drew has always been a loner and kept to himself. When he sees Alex for the first time he feels a chemistry and almost an immediate need to help her. Knowing that he is the only one seemingly to have a special connection with Alex, he feels the best thing he can do to help her is to stay close. Unfortunately there are circumstances in Drew's past that are out of his control and although he wishes to always be there for Alex, he quickly has to leave and never gets a chance to say goodbye.
Although I would love to and feel a deep need to say so much more, I don't feel that I can without risking spoiling the story for those who make the decision to read this book. Skipping Stones is nothing like anything J.B. has written before. I would compare this novel with others that have had such a great impact they have ultimately been made into motion pictures. Standing ovation and applause to you J.B. for this story. Unbelievably beautiful and well-written. This book should come with a box of tissues. Even now that I've finished reading it, I can still feel the emotion, lump in my throat and tears threatening. This book touched me very deeply. Thank you J.B.
Definitely 5 stars!
February 11, 2017
I so want to leave a review but my emotions are all over the place. But right now my heart and my mind are on my on Papa I need a moment to get myself together.
Now I have had time to pull myself together I can now leave my review. This is a book that made me ugly cry and I love books that pull that emotion out me. Loved how the booked started didn’t take too long to get into what it was going to be about. This wasn’t a book that had a whole lot of secondary characters and that is okay because it didn’t need them. When Alex meets Drew at that very moment you know that he is going to be somebody that has come to her life to make it better. The pace of the story did move kind of slow but it needed to. If it moved any faster than it wouldn’t had been as good as it was. It gave to a chance to see how Alex and Drew fall in love with each other and then allows you to feel her heartbreak. Alex loved her Papa like I loved mine and that was the part of the story that took my breath away. I felt every single emotion on those parts when she lost him and it was harder for me to read than the beginning of the story was. I guess because I could relate to that heartbreak so it really hit home (tear drop).
I was not expecting that story line on how Alex and Drew ended back up in each other’s lives and then the book even had a little twist in there. If you are looking for a book where they are ripping each other clothes off this is not the book for you. This is a nice vanilla story about love and heartbreaks and it was a nice breath of fresh air.
Now I have had time to pull myself together I can now leave my review. This is a book that made me ugly cry and I love books that pull that emotion out me. Loved how the booked started didn’t take too long to get into what it was going to be about. This wasn’t a book that had a whole lot of secondary characters and that is okay because it didn’t need them. When Alex meets Drew at that very moment you know that he is going to be somebody that has come to her life to make it better. The pace of the story did move kind of slow but it needed to. If it moved any faster than it wouldn’t had been as good as it was. It gave to a chance to see how Alex and Drew fall in love with each other and then allows you to feel her heartbreak. Alex loved her Papa like I loved mine and that was the part of the story that took my breath away. I felt every single emotion on those parts when she lost him and it was harder for me to read than the beginning of the story was. I guess because I could relate to that heartbreak so it really hit home (tear drop).
I was not expecting that story line on how Alex and Drew ended back up in each other’s lives and then the book even had a little twist in there. If you are looking for a book where they are ripping each other clothes off this is not the book for you. This is a nice vanilla story about love and heartbreaks and it was a nice breath of fresh air.
September 12, 2014
I had the chance to read this as an ARC and have just managed to get around to reading it.
I read what it was about before accepting it, and I heard around the net that it makes you cry, they were not wrong.
This is the very first book I have read by J. B. McGee and will be seeking out more from her. You won't be disappointed if you purchased this book, it is told in such sincerity, with such feeling and full on emotion, it will grip you from its first page.
Skipping stones is a well thought out title, little things like that make all the difference to me. There are 2 meanings I found to this title, not sure if they author intended them both, but it sure stood out to me.
The layout of the pages were good, and the fancy bits on the pages were a nice change, I think sometimes because its an ebook not all authors realize that it makes all the difference to your reading enjoyment just as much as it does if you pick up a paper book. Again, only something small to point out, but did make a difference for me.
I loved the content of the storyline, well thought out, progressed well at a nice easy pace. I cannot speak highly enough about this book.
Well done to J. B. McGee for allowing me to read such a splendid story which again these authors have left me in tears! Loving it!
I read what it was about before accepting it, and I heard around the net that it makes you cry, they were not wrong.
This is the very first book I have read by J. B. McGee and will be seeking out more from her. You won't be disappointed if you purchased this book, it is told in such sincerity, with such feeling and full on emotion, it will grip you from its first page.
Skipping stones is a well thought out title, little things like that make all the difference to me. There are 2 meanings I found to this title, not sure if they author intended them both, but it sure stood out to me.
The layout of the pages were good, and the fancy bits on the pages were a nice change, I think sometimes because its an ebook not all authors realize that it makes all the difference to your reading enjoyment just as much as it does if you pick up a paper book. Again, only something small to point out, but did make a difference for me.
I loved the content of the storyline, well thought out, progressed well at a nice easy pace. I cannot speak highly enough about this book.
Well done to J. B. McGee for allowing me to read such a splendid story which again these authors have left me in tears! Loving it!
December 10, 2014
Alex Hart has suffered far more than any 15 year old should. Her parents dropped her off with her grandparents for a temporary visit while they go on a trip. Sadly, her parents never made it.
Alex and her grandparents heard a crash and went out to investigate. What they found changed their lives forever. Their worst fears were confirmed when the police showed up at their door. Alex's father was gone and her mother was badly burned in critical condition.
Alex had a hard time accepting what's happened. She goes to the creek to calm herself and escape from the grief.
At the creek, Alex meets Drew Foster, who helps her escape her pain, but it's short lived. Her mother's condition turned for the worst. Now parentless, Alex must learn to deal with her new life. Drew helps for a few weeks, but disappears.
Now, she's 30 and the pain has dulled slightly. She's in the ROTC program to become a doctor, who specializes with burn victims, but while in Afghanistan working, their unit is under attack. Someone from her past saves her, or so she thinks.
Now everything she once knew is changing. She must learn to face these problems and move on.
This story is an emotional roller coaster. I constantly found myself hoping for the best for Alex because she's already gone through so much.
Alex and her grandparents heard a crash and went out to investigate. What they found changed their lives forever. Their worst fears were confirmed when the police showed up at their door. Alex's father was gone and her mother was badly burned in critical condition.
Alex had a hard time accepting what's happened. She goes to the creek to calm herself and escape from the grief.
At the creek, Alex meets Drew Foster, who helps her escape her pain, but it's short lived. Her mother's condition turned for the worst. Now parentless, Alex must learn to deal with her new life. Drew helps for a few weeks, but disappears.
Now, she's 30 and the pain has dulled slightly. She's in the ROTC program to become a doctor, who specializes with burn victims, but while in Afghanistan working, their unit is under attack. Someone from her past saves her, or so she thinks.
Now everything she once knew is changing. She must learn to face these problems and move on.
This story is an emotional roller coaster. I constantly found myself hoping for the best for Alex because she's already gone through so much.
September 17, 2013
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this truly enchanting book. I've read JB's other books and really enjoyed them but feel that the writing in this has moved on leaps and bounds.
The characters are described so well that you feel that you know them, particularly Papa. You can feel the closeness of the relationship between Papa and Alex. The key places are described in a way that make you want to be there.
The story starts as Alex suffers a devastating loss. It is a truly emotional read because it is written in such a way that as Alex's world is turned upside down you are right there feeling it all with her. Her feelings of shock and grief are helped when she meets a young man called Drew, and they seem to have an instant connection.
It's tricky to explain without spoilers but you follow Alex for the next 15 years seeing how her loss, grief, and those she's met in her life impact on her future path. Does everything happen for a reason? Is the idea of 'one true love' just a myth?
If it's oodles of sex you're after then this isn't the book for you but if, like me, you love to lose yourself in a character, feel their emotions, and love some real romance then I think you'll find that once you ARE Alex you won't be able to put the book down!
The characters are described so well that you feel that you know them, particularly Papa. You can feel the closeness of the relationship between Papa and Alex. The key places are described in a way that make you want to be there.
The story starts as Alex suffers a devastating loss. It is a truly emotional read because it is written in such a way that as Alex's world is turned upside down you are right there feeling it all with her. Her feelings of shock and grief are helped when she meets a young man called Drew, and they seem to have an instant connection.
It's tricky to explain without spoilers but you follow Alex for the next 15 years seeing how her loss, grief, and those she's met in her life impact on her future path. Does everything happen for a reason? Is the idea of 'one true love' just a myth?
If it's oodles of sex you're after then this isn't the book for you but if, like me, you love to lose yourself in a character, feel their emotions, and love some real romance then I think you'll find that once you ARE Alex you won't be able to put the book down!
August 29, 2013
Emotional. That is what Skipping Stones was for me. I started crying at the prologue...when you read it, be sure to have tissue on hand. Skipping Stones is a sweet read. Hard to review without spoilers. When Alex goes to visit her grandparents for the summer, the first place she wants to go to is the creek..it has always been her favorite spot. The creek is a place of peace and comfort, fun and memories, and trying her whole life to learn how to skip rocks. Her favorite place to be? Sitting on her Papa's lap. She may be 15 years old, but she will never be to old for that! Drew is a sweet caring 17 year old who just moved to town. He stumbles upon Alex down at the creek, and they have an instant friendship! Please take the time to read this awesome book, I PROMISE! You won't regret it.
December 12, 2013
Review for Skipping Stones
An emotional ride is a good way to describe this book. Alex, the main character, deals with a great deal of heartbreaking events at a very tender age. It is a story of loss, and pain, of grief and sadness. But most importantly, it is a story of hope and healing. It presents with the certainty that we can find beauty in ashes. If only we take the time to skip stones.
Alex is an admirable young woman who is able to overcome the string of losses she endures. The ending is perfect and brought tears to my heart.
This book is a beautiful journey. One that I suffered along with Alex, to finally rejoice with her.
Loved this book!
Five Hopeful stars.
An emotional ride is a good way to describe this book. Alex, the main character, deals with a great deal of heartbreaking events at a very tender age. It is a story of loss, and pain, of grief and sadness. But most importantly, it is a story of hope and healing. It presents with the certainty that we can find beauty in ashes. If only we take the time to skip stones.
Alex is an admirable young woman who is able to overcome the string of losses she endures. The ending is perfect and brought tears to my heart.
This book is a beautiful journey. One that I suffered along with Alex, to finally rejoice with her.
Loved this book!
Five Hopeful stars.
October 15, 2013
This book is so, so sad. But the love is so overwhelming. Good book about love, life, death, family, and fate.
August 6, 2016
This is a story that when you read, you can feel every emotion that JB felt when writing, you shed every tear that JB shed. Truly a book you will all love like many of us already have. This is a story about loss, love & lessons of the Heart.
It is the summer of 1996 and Alex is on the way to see her grandparents in South Carolina. She has always enjoyed staying with them whenever she could. She has this special place in her heart for her Papa & Memaw. Her Papa though is the man who has always given her the love that she needed, at the right times in her life. When she would visit, or she needs to feel that sense of security, she sits on his lap. They have such cute banter in this book every time she does.
“You know. One day I’m going to break your legs sitting on your lap.”
He chuckles. “Oh no. I don’t think so.” He shakes his head. “You’ll never be too big or too old for your Papa’s lap.”
And it is here in the beginning of the book that you just see how much Alex loves her grandparents. Her parents are on the way to Italy for a summer vacation and Alex chose to stay with her grandparents instead of going with her parents. She feels as if her time with her grandparents is dwindling since they are getting older.
No one ever thought that this would be the last time they would get to say ‘I Love You’ to one another. That this family is getting ready to suffer one of the biggest loses it has ever had to deal with.
Alex and her grandparents are sitting down to dinner after her parents leave for the airport. As they are enjoying the sense of feeling whole again, there is a terribly loud sound that rocked the whole town. As if knowing something was wrong, they go to see what has happened. Dread, Loss, Fear, Anger. These are all the emotions that Alex is feeling as they go the little ways to the end of the street. It doesn’t take them too far to be able see where all the noise came from. Somehow in their hearts already knew… it was her parents.
From dealing with all the grief that occurred with her parents’ accident and losing her father that day, and then burying him a few days later, she just needs an escape.
The creek is my comfort zone. It’s the place where I know I can be all alone because right now those bricks are coming back, and I need to be able to breathe without feeling like I’m suffocating.
Then she sees him, Drew Foster. There has never been anyone else at the creek when she was as she was growing up. She has to let the frustrations out that are weighing her down inside, she starts to throw rocks into the water. Drew just laughs only making her angrier. She doesn’t realize that she has been using his pile of Skipping Stones to throw into the water.
“I’d like to share my pile of rocks with you. Skipping stones always helps me when I can’t talk about stuff, too.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. That’s all I want to do. Well, except I can’t skip a stone for the life of me. I’m excellent at throwing them. “I can’t skip stones.”
He bursts out laughing. “You can’t skip stones?”
I shake my head. “Nope.” He stands up and reaches his hand out to help me up. “Well, let’s see what we can do about that, Alex.”
And just like that she has forgotten about everything that has happened the last few days in her life. She has forgotten about her dad passing away, about her mom fighting for her life at the Hospital in the Burn Unit. She has become a teenage girl again with a boy who is flirting with her, and she is welcoming it.
During the next few months since burying her parents, Alex and Drew have become close. He taught her how to Skip Stones, he showed her where his favorite place by the Creek is, an open field that Alex has never seen and he helped her forget about everything that has happened since arriving in South Carolina. But just as things are starting to feel normal for Alex, the World comes crashing down around her again, it is as if God is playing a cruel joke on Alex that only he is laughing at. Drew disappears from her life without a trace or even a letter to tell her where he went and why he left.
The book than takes us from 1996 to 2011. Alex has Graduated High School and went off to college and it is there that she decides to join the Military to help pay for Medical School. She feels as if going to Med School helps to heal her wounded Heart from what happened to her parents. She loves saving people’s lives when no one thinks that it is going to be possible.
She is headed back to South Carolina to see her Papa & Memaw before she leaves for the War that is going on in Iraq. She never thought that she would be heading to war when she signed up, but things have changed in the World and she is being deployed as Med First Responder in the field. There is one place she needs to go to before she goes to see her grandparents. She needs to go to the Creek once more.
I needed some time alone first to soak in the scenery, to remember how I got in this position to begin with. Standing at this place is like being fifteen all over again. Except the pain I felt then wasn’t bearable. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about my parents, or Drew for that matter. You’d think that after all of these years I’d be over him, but when he left that summer day, he walked away with a piece of my heart. I’ve never been able to get it back.
Leaving her car at the Creek, she just wanted to walk through town once more while helping to clear her head and know that she made the best decision when she joined the Military.
It’s nice to be home. I walk up the few small steps and into the living room. Papa is sitting in his chair watching Fox News. I’ve tried to tell him he needs to watch CNN, but he’s positive the people on Fox have a better grasp on the situation. “Hey, Pop.” I smile.
He makes my heart feel warm and fuzzy. He pats his knee. “There’s Papa’s Girl. Come hug my neck, and fill me in.” I laugh because I know that I’ll never outgrow his lap.
“Sure I won’t break those little bird legs of yours?”
He shakes his head. “How many times do I have to tell you? You’ll never outgrow this old man’s lap.”
“I’m glad.” I gently sit down and wrap my arms around his neck. I whisper, “I’ve missed you, Papa.”
After her parents passed away, she had spent many nights sitting there with her arms wrapped around her Papa’s neck, talking to him about things in life. Alex has left the house that night and read the letters they gave to her to read while on the plane, they both write comforting words to her and what Papa has written explains so much about who he is and why he was a bit angry when she joined the Military. He wrote to her about his own experiences in War and how she needs to always protect herself and those around her.
Alex is in the middle of War dealing with soldiers wounded while fighting. All of a sudden something seems different.
This time the noises are different. There’s a high pitched whistling. It’s unique, and it’s something I’ve never heard before. Like the smell of burnt skin, I know it’s not a sound I’ll ever forget, though. In an instant, the officer who is bringing in the latest trauma victim yells while lunging at me. For a brief moment, I’m able to recognize those milk chocolate eyes. “Move, move,” I hear right as everything goes blank. It goes black…
When Alex comes around she realizes that things are not what they seem. Will she ever find the one person who made her feel normal and who helped her through one of the most devistating times in her life?
It is the summer of 1996 and Alex is on the way to see her grandparents in South Carolina. She has always enjoyed staying with them whenever she could. She has this special place in her heart for her Papa & Memaw. Her Papa though is the man who has always given her the love that she needed, at the right times in her life. When she would visit, or she needs to feel that sense of security, she sits on his lap. They have such cute banter in this book every time she does.
“You know. One day I’m going to break your legs sitting on your lap.”
He chuckles. “Oh no. I don’t think so.” He shakes his head. “You’ll never be too big or too old for your Papa’s lap.”
And it is here in the beginning of the book that you just see how much Alex loves her grandparents. Her parents are on the way to Italy for a summer vacation and Alex chose to stay with her grandparents instead of going with her parents. She feels as if her time with her grandparents is dwindling since they are getting older.
No one ever thought that this would be the last time they would get to say ‘I Love You’ to one another. That this family is getting ready to suffer one of the biggest loses it has ever had to deal with.
Alex and her grandparents are sitting down to dinner after her parents leave for the airport. As they are enjoying the sense of feeling whole again, there is a terribly loud sound that rocked the whole town. As if knowing something was wrong, they go to see what has happened. Dread, Loss, Fear, Anger. These are all the emotions that Alex is feeling as they go the little ways to the end of the street. It doesn’t take them too far to be able see where all the noise came from. Somehow in their hearts already knew… it was her parents.
From dealing with all the grief that occurred with her parents’ accident and losing her father that day, and then burying him a few days later, she just needs an escape.
The creek is my comfort zone. It’s the place where I know I can be all alone because right now those bricks are coming back, and I need to be able to breathe without feeling like I’m suffocating.
Then she sees him, Drew Foster. There has never been anyone else at the creek when she was as she was growing up. She has to let the frustrations out that are weighing her down inside, she starts to throw rocks into the water. Drew just laughs only making her angrier. She doesn’t realize that she has been using his pile of Skipping Stones to throw into the water.
“I’d like to share my pile of rocks with you. Skipping stones always helps me when I can’t talk about stuff, too.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. That’s all I want to do. Well, except I can’t skip a stone for the life of me. I’m excellent at throwing them. “I can’t skip stones.”
He bursts out laughing. “You can’t skip stones?”
I shake my head. “Nope.” He stands up and reaches his hand out to help me up. “Well, let’s see what we can do about that, Alex.”
And just like that she has forgotten about everything that has happened the last few days in her life. She has forgotten about her dad passing away, about her mom fighting for her life at the Hospital in the Burn Unit. She has become a teenage girl again with a boy who is flirting with her, and she is welcoming it.
During the next few months since burying her parents, Alex and Drew have become close. He taught her how to Skip Stones, he showed her where his favorite place by the Creek is, an open field that Alex has never seen and he helped her forget about everything that has happened since arriving in South Carolina. But just as things are starting to feel normal for Alex, the World comes crashing down around her again, it is as if God is playing a cruel joke on Alex that only he is laughing at. Drew disappears from her life without a trace or even a letter to tell her where he went and why he left.
The book than takes us from 1996 to 2011. Alex has Graduated High School and went off to college and it is there that she decides to join the Military to help pay for Medical School. She feels as if going to Med School helps to heal her wounded Heart from what happened to her parents. She loves saving people’s lives when no one thinks that it is going to be possible.
She is headed back to South Carolina to see her Papa & Memaw before she leaves for the War that is going on in Iraq. She never thought that she would be heading to war when she signed up, but things have changed in the World and she is being deployed as Med First Responder in the field. There is one place she needs to go to before she goes to see her grandparents. She needs to go to the Creek once more.
I needed some time alone first to soak in the scenery, to remember how I got in this position to begin with. Standing at this place is like being fifteen all over again. Except the pain I felt then wasn’t bearable. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about my parents, or Drew for that matter. You’d think that after all of these years I’d be over him, but when he left that summer day, he walked away with a piece of my heart. I’ve never been able to get it back.
Leaving her car at the Creek, she just wanted to walk through town once more while helping to clear her head and know that she made the best decision when she joined the Military.
It’s nice to be home. I walk up the few small steps and into the living room. Papa is sitting in his chair watching Fox News. I’ve tried to tell him he needs to watch CNN, but he’s positive the people on Fox have a better grasp on the situation. “Hey, Pop.” I smile.
He makes my heart feel warm and fuzzy. He pats his knee. “There’s Papa’s Girl. Come hug my neck, and fill me in.” I laugh because I know that I’ll never outgrow his lap.
“Sure I won’t break those little bird legs of yours?”
He shakes his head. “How many times do I have to tell you? You’ll never outgrow this old man’s lap.”
“I’m glad.” I gently sit down and wrap my arms around his neck. I whisper, “I’ve missed you, Papa.”
After her parents passed away, she had spent many nights sitting there with her arms wrapped around her Papa’s neck, talking to him about things in life. Alex has left the house that night and read the letters they gave to her to read while on the plane, they both write comforting words to her and what Papa has written explains so much about who he is and why he was a bit angry when she joined the Military. He wrote to her about his own experiences in War and how she needs to always protect herself and those around her.
Alex is in the middle of War dealing with soldiers wounded while fighting. All of a sudden something seems different.
This time the noises are different. There’s a high pitched whistling. It’s unique, and it’s something I’ve never heard before. Like the smell of burnt skin, I know it’s not a sound I’ll ever forget, though. In an instant, the officer who is bringing in the latest trauma victim yells while lunging at me. For a brief moment, I’m able to recognize those milk chocolate eyes. “Move, move,” I hear right as everything goes blank. It goes black…
When Alex comes around she realizes that things are not what they seem. Will she ever find the one person who made her feel normal and who helped her through one of the most devistating times in her life?
January 17, 2014
Let me start this off by saying I have been a big fan of J.B. McGee ever since I first read "Broken(This)" and the rest of the "This" series. Her books tend to be filled with emotion, and many hot, steamy scenes as well. When I heard of this book, I was told that it wasn't her typical book, this book was more 'vanilla' then all her others. My go to books seem to be those books with a troubled alpha male who saves their love interest, and that are filled with hot steamy sex scenes. But I decided to give this book a try, a little curious as to what this book was all about. I am glad that I gave this book a chance, yes it is VERY 'vanilla' but in a way that is needed for the story to unfold. And this was a story that needed to be written. If you don't usually go for these type of books or stories, don't ignore it.. give it a chance because it will surprise you and will captivate you. A change from time to time is a good thing.
Skipping Stones starts off with meeting Alex Hart. As a teenager, she is hit with the tragedy that rocks her world, needing solace she runs to the creek near her grandparents place that she has always loved. Here she meets a boy, Drew Foster. He becomes her relief from all the pain and from her relality. She goes to him for comfort, and opens up to him allowing him to help her heal a little. Their relationship unravels and see Alex experience all her first with him: her first kiss, her first boyfriend. But then fate steps in and rocks Alex's world and soon Drew becomes another first: her first love lost. Once again her world is rocked and Alex has to decide whether to follow her heart or to try to move on.
“…God gives us the people we need in our lives for the amount of time he sees fit.”
The story continues with Alex trying to live her life, just go day by day with not many emotions. But once again tragedy unfolds, one that brings her back to the town that she left behind. A town that is filled with memories of everything that she has lost. The return to this town also brings back someone from her past, someone who she thought she would never see again. Drew comes back into the picture. Years later and he is back, Alex realizes all the feelings she's had for him are still there. He was her first love, and her only real love. But how do you move past the betrayal, the pain that he put Alex through? Will they be able to repair this relationship. The relationship that helped Alex breathe again, that helped her live.
Let me tell you, this book is a tear jerker. I am one that does cry while reading books. But it takes a lot to actually make me cry. This book had me crying within the first few chapters!! J.B. was able to convey so much emotion into this book, I felt Alex's pain as she struggled to just make it day to day. I imagined myself in her position, and even understood her pain at times. Knowing what it feels like to go through some of the things she went through made me feel for her even more.
What I loved about this book is how it made me experience falling in love for the first time, the emotions that run through your body when it happens. I felt all of it! And loved it. There was no sex or hot and steamy scenes in this book, but there were very intimate, private moments. Moments that only happen with wanting to make someone feel wanted and special, or being the one shown. It was a wonderful book and I am glad that I gave it a chance. I have to say, this made me an even bigger J.B. McGee fan!! Don't stray from this book just because it is not what you typically read, give it a chance and I am sure you won't be disappointed!
Skipping Stones starts off with meeting Alex Hart. As a teenager, she is hit with the tragedy that rocks her world, needing solace she runs to the creek near her grandparents place that she has always loved. Here she meets a boy, Drew Foster. He becomes her relief from all the pain and from her relality. She goes to him for comfort, and opens up to him allowing him to help her heal a little. Their relationship unravels and see Alex experience all her first with him: her first kiss, her first boyfriend. But then fate steps in and rocks Alex's world and soon Drew becomes another first: her first love lost. Once again her world is rocked and Alex has to decide whether to follow her heart or to try to move on.
“…God gives us the people we need in our lives for the amount of time he sees fit.”
The story continues with Alex trying to live her life, just go day by day with not many emotions. But once again tragedy unfolds, one that brings her back to the town that she left behind. A town that is filled with memories of everything that she has lost. The return to this town also brings back someone from her past, someone who she thought she would never see again. Drew comes back into the picture. Years later and he is back, Alex realizes all the feelings she's had for him are still there. He was her first love, and her only real love. But how do you move past the betrayal, the pain that he put Alex through? Will they be able to repair this relationship. The relationship that helped Alex breathe again, that helped her live.
Let me tell you, this book is a tear jerker. I am one that does cry while reading books. But it takes a lot to actually make me cry. This book had me crying within the first few chapters!! J.B. was able to convey so much emotion into this book, I felt Alex's pain as she struggled to just make it day to day. I imagined myself in her position, and even understood her pain at times. Knowing what it feels like to go through some of the things she went through made me feel for her even more.
What I loved about this book is how it made me experience falling in love for the first time, the emotions that run through your body when it happens. I felt all of it! And loved it. There was no sex or hot and steamy scenes in this book, but there were very intimate, private moments. Moments that only happen with wanting to make someone feel wanted and special, or being the one shown. It was a wonderful book and I am glad that I gave it a chance. I have to say, this made me an even bigger J.B. McGee fan!! Don't stray from this book just because it is not what you typically read, give it a chance and I am sure you won't be disappointed!
September 26, 2013
I adored this book and believe it or not I am having trouble writing this review because I want to do justice to the book! Its an amazing story of heartbreak, love, and fate that makes you look at life a little different. This is truly one of those books that pulls at your heart strings and will stay with you love after you have read it.
We start the book with Alex spending her summer vacation with her grandparents in South Carolina. Being a Cali girl myself I love the southern references. I think I was a southern belle in a past life or something because I love it! But anyways… Soon after the books start tragedy strikes and from the beginning my heart is ripped out of my chest. Alex has to deal with death and loss at such a young age of 15. She finds herself at the lake down the road from her grandparents’ property where she meets Drew. He’s a little older and not someone she has seen around the town before. When they meet, he is able to help her get through her heartbreak and makes life more bearable. He is able to fill the void of in heart that was missing.
“While I don’t know much, I do know he’s been the only person able to get me to feel like I’m not connected to a lead ball that is sinking into the ocean., thousands of miles beneath the surface. He’s been the air my lungs can’t seem to find in the any other way or place.”
But just as quickly as him coming into her life, he is gone. It’s like he never existed. Nobody knows him and nobody knows where he or his family went. If it wasn't for the deep connection that they shared she would have thought she dreamed him. Even though their time was short lived, she knows he was the one who will always hold her heart.
Years go by and Alex cannot let go of finding Drew. She is determined to find him but there are always dead ends. Because of events that happened when she was younger, she decides to become a doctor but also enrolls in the Army to help with the costs of college. Then 9/11 happens… She is shipped overseas and in a brief second before an explosion, she sees her lost love again. While recovery she asked everyone about Drew if he was there. Again, no one knows who he is. It’s like he doesn't exist.
“I have come to the conclusion that fate has a way of beating karma.”
When she returns home to the states and to South Carolina, Alex is again forced to deal with death and heartbreak. But this time, she sees and feels him and knows that he was not just a dream. It seems fate keeps bringing Drew to her when she needs him the most. When he comes back to her, he has his own secrets that demons that he has be dealing with. Just as Alex has had to lead a life that was filed with heartbreak and love lost so has Drew. Will Alex and Drew be able to work past their years of being apart and finally have the life together that Alex has dreamed of since she first met him.
“Someone wise once told me that when I found a girl who made me want to love her for always and in all ways, I’d find the one.”
This is a story that takes us through the stages of life and Alex’s journey to find her true love and happiness. I so loved this story and give it the maximum amount of stars allowed! If you are looking for a wonderful book that pulls at your heart strings, makes you feel like you cannot breathe, but then reduces you to a crying mess that you have found the book for you! Of course I love all those things so I absolutely loved it!! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone! It's truly a MUST read!
We start the book with Alex spending her summer vacation with her grandparents in South Carolina. Being a Cali girl myself I love the southern references. I think I was a southern belle in a past life or something because I love it! But anyways… Soon after the books start tragedy strikes and from the beginning my heart is ripped out of my chest. Alex has to deal with death and loss at such a young age of 15. She finds herself at the lake down the road from her grandparents’ property where she meets Drew. He’s a little older and not someone she has seen around the town before. When they meet, he is able to help her get through her heartbreak and makes life more bearable. He is able to fill the void of in heart that was missing.
“While I don’t know much, I do know he’s been the only person able to get me to feel like I’m not connected to a lead ball that is sinking into the ocean., thousands of miles beneath the surface. He’s been the air my lungs can’t seem to find in the any other way or place.”
But just as quickly as him coming into her life, he is gone. It’s like he never existed. Nobody knows him and nobody knows where he or his family went. If it wasn't for the deep connection that they shared she would have thought she dreamed him. Even though their time was short lived, she knows he was the one who will always hold her heart.
Years go by and Alex cannot let go of finding Drew. She is determined to find him but there are always dead ends. Because of events that happened when she was younger, she decides to become a doctor but also enrolls in the Army to help with the costs of college. Then 9/11 happens… She is shipped overseas and in a brief second before an explosion, she sees her lost love again. While recovery she asked everyone about Drew if he was there. Again, no one knows who he is. It’s like he doesn't exist.
“I have come to the conclusion that fate has a way of beating karma.”
When she returns home to the states and to South Carolina, Alex is again forced to deal with death and heartbreak. But this time, she sees and feels him and knows that he was not just a dream. It seems fate keeps bringing Drew to her when she needs him the most. When he comes back to her, he has his own secrets that demons that he has be dealing with. Just as Alex has had to lead a life that was filed with heartbreak and love lost so has Drew. Will Alex and Drew be able to work past their years of being apart and finally have the life together that Alex has dreamed of since she first met him.
“Someone wise once told me that when I found a girl who made me want to love her for always and in all ways, I’d find the one.”
This is a story that takes us through the stages of life and Alex’s journey to find her true love and happiness. I so loved this story and give it the maximum amount of stars allowed! If you are looking for a wonderful book that pulls at your heart strings, makes you feel like you cannot breathe, but then reduces you to a crying mess that you have found the book for you! Of course I love all those things so I absolutely loved it!! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone! It's truly a MUST read!
October 2, 2013
4 star review by Jen Skewes
When I read the synopsis for Skipping Stones I knew it was something that I just had to read, but I also knew that it was going to be an emotional one. I just wasn't ready for how emotional it really was. Don't let that scare you because it was a beautiful story of love, loss, promises and second chances. You will need tissues but it was worth every tear.
Alex was only 15 years old when her world was completely shattered. She experienced loss in a way that no child her age, or any age for that matter, should have to experience. She wasn't sure how to move on , or how to survive and get past the big whole in heart. That's when she met 17 year old Drew Foster. Drew came into her life at a time when she needed him the most. He made her feel alive again, taught her how to live and all though the sadness was still there, being with Drew just made it all better. But at some point she comes home and finds that Drew has left with no explanation. She's left wondering why he left, was he even real, and how is she supposed to get by without him. Life eventually goes on for Alex and she learns to move on from her pain and grief and Drew. And even though all this time went by without seeing him, he still held a special place in her heart and always would.
I can't say too much about this story without giving it all away. I will say that Drew Foster was the most amazing 17 year old boy. The moments that he had with Alex were so sweet and tender and adorable. You just fell in love with the both of them. What Alex and Drew had was an amazing bond that stayed with the both of them. Alex could never forget Drew or what he did for her and how much he meant to her. Will she ever get the chance to see him again and tell him what he really meant to her?
I loved this book and loved what Drew and Alex had together even if they only knew each other for a short period of time. Sometimes in life there are people that you meet who touch your soul and leave an imprint on your heart that will always be there. For Alex that person was Drew. They only knew each other for a month and they were young but that never stopped the feelings she had for him, she never forget how much he made her feel alive again when she wasn't sure how to. And while him leaving broke her heart all over again she never let go of the love she had for him. What they had was special and unforgettable.
Skipping Stones was an extremely emotional read but one that I absolutely loved. My heart broke for all the loss and pain that Alex suffered through. J.B. McGee really knows how to bring out your emotions. Because it wasn't just Alex who was going through the heartbreak, I found myself going through it with her. Drew will also capture and touch your heart just as he did with Alex. I think my only issue with the story was wanting to know more about Drew and wanting to see more of the connection between him and Alex 15 years later. But aside from that Skipping Stones was an amazing and beautiful story that will break your heart at times, make you cry and I mean ugly cry but in the end will piece it all back together and leave you smiling. And the epilogue was amazing. Skipping Stones is a must read! Wonderful job by Ms. McGee
When I read the synopsis for Skipping Stones I knew it was something that I just had to read, but I also knew that it was going to be an emotional one. I just wasn't ready for how emotional it really was. Don't let that scare you because it was a beautiful story of love, loss, promises and second chances. You will need tissues but it was worth every tear.
Alex was only 15 years old when her world was completely shattered. She experienced loss in a way that no child her age, or any age for that matter, should have to experience. She wasn't sure how to move on , or how to survive and get past the big whole in heart. That's when she met 17 year old Drew Foster. Drew came into her life at a time when she needed him the most. He made her feel alive again, taught her how to live and all though the sadness was still there, being with Drew just made it all better. But at some point she comes home and finds that Drew has left with no explanation. She's left wondering why he left, was he even real, and how is she supposed to get by without him. Life eventually goes on for Alex and she learns to move on from her pain and grief and Drew. And even though all this time went by without seeing him, he still held a special place in her heart and always would.
I can't say too much about this story without giving it all away. I will say that Drew Foster was the most amazing 17 year old boy. The moments that he had with Alex were so sweet and tender and adorable. You just fell in love with the both of them. What Alex and Drew had was an amazing bond that stayed with the both of them. Alex could never forget Drew or what he did for her and how much he meant to her. Will she ever get the chance to see him again and tell him what he really meant to her?
I loved this book and loved what Drew and Alex had together even if they only knew each other for a short period of time. Sometimes in life there are people that you meet who touch your soul and leave an imprint on your heart that will always be there. For Alex that person was Drew. They only knew each other for a month and they were young but that never stopped the feelings she had for him, she never forget how much he made her feel alive again when she wasn't sure how to. And while him leaving broke her heart all over again she never let go of the love she had for him. What they had was special and unforgettable.
Skipping Stones was an extremely emotional read but one that I absolutely loved. My heart broke for all the loss and pain that Alex suffered through. J.B. McGee really knows how to bring out your emotions. Because it wasn't just Alex who was going through the heartbreak, I found myself going through it with her. Drew will also capture and touch your heart just as he did with Alex. I think my only issue with the story was wanting to know more about Drew and wanting to see more of the connection between him and Alex 15 years later. But aside from that Skipping Stones was an amazing and beautiful story that will break your heart at times, make you cry and I mean ugly cry but in the end will piece it all back together and leave you smiling. And the epilogue was amazing. Skipping Stones is a must read! Wonderful job by Ms. McGee
September 25, 2013
***ARC received for honest review*** - originally posted at Reading Rainblog
This book was non-stop from the first page! Alex Hart is getting ready for deployment and has come back to her grandparents small South Carolina town to visit just in case. Then, the book reverts back to 1996 and the events that lead to where she’s at now. Throughout the course of the book, we span a 15 year timeframe (1996-2011) starting when Alex is 15 and meets Drew for the first time. It’s very hard to talk about things that happened in the book, because there are so many twists and turns and heartbreaking events that could easily be given away!
The book begins with Alex getting ready to spend the summer with her grandparents while her parents go on a European vacation (I’d have been all over that! Trip to Europe? Yes please!). Alex has a very close relationship with her grandparents, which makes things a little easier on her when tragedy strikes early on in the book. Alex faces a lot of struggles – struggles that no 15 year old should have to face. My heart hurt for her so many times while reading the book.
Alex and Drew meet right after Alex’s life changes drastically. She meets him when she goes down to the creek to be alone and Drew is immediately drawn to her. He can tell she’s sad, and just a little broken and wants to make things better for her. Trying to cheer her up, he starts teaching her how to skip stones. And some of the incentives he comes up with would definitely prompt me to put forward my best effort! They spend a large amount of time together and end up falling in love. Everything changes when Alex visits her old house and Drew stays at home. Alex is left devastated, and confused, not to mention completely pissed off.
The book then fast-forwards back to 2011 with Alex preparing for her deployment to Afghanistan. Once again, Alex has to deal with heartbreaking situations, and finds herself searching for Drew once again. To be honest, there were a few times I was sure Drew was a ghost, or a figment of Alex’s imagination! After the events in Afghanistan, Alex travels home to deal with more difficult circumstances and hopefully a few revelations.
J.B. McGee does an amazing job building up the characters in this book. She has a gift for drawing you into the characters and making you feel invested in their stories. She did the same in the ‘This’ series with Gabby and Bradley. The events throughout the book were very realistic and well written, making me feel as if I was there with Alex and Drew. My heart broke for Alex so many times while I was reading, and I spent a large majority of the book in tears. This is an outstanding coming-of-age novel!
I give the book 5 HUGE stars!
This book was non-stop from the first page! Alex Hart is getting ready for deployment and has come back to her grandparents small South Carolina town to visit just in case. Then, the book reverts back to 1996 and the events that lead to where she’s at now. Throughout the course of the book, we span a 15 year timeframe (1996-2011) starting when Alex is 15 and meets Drew for the first time. It’s very hard to talk about things that happened in the book, because there are so many twists and turns and heartbreaking events that could easily be given away!
The book begins with Alex getting ready to spend the summer with her grandparents while her parents go on a European vacation (I’d have been all over that! Trip to Europe? Yes please!). Alex has a very close relationship with her grandparents, which makes things a little easier on her when tragedy strikes early on in the book. Alex faces a lot of struggles – struggles that no 15 year old should have to face. My heart hurt for her so many times while reading the book.
Alex and Drew meet right after Alex’s life changes drastically. She meets him when she goes down to the creek to be alone and Drew is immediately drawn to her. He can tell she’s sad, and just a little broken and wants to make things better for her. Trying to cheer her up, he starts teaching her how to skip stones. And some of the incentives he comes up with would definitely prompt me to put forward my best effort! They spend a large amount of time together and end up falling in love. Everything changes when Alex visits her old house and Drew stays at home. Alex is left devastated, and confused, not to mention completely pissed off.
The book then fast-forwards back to 2011 with Alex preparing for her deployment to Afghanistan. Once again, Alex has to deal with heartbreaking situations, and finds herself searching for Drew once again. To be honest, there were a few times I was sure Drew was a ghost, or a figment of Alex’s imagination! After the events in Afghanistan, Alex travels home to deal with more difficult circumstances and hopefully a few revelations.
J.B. McGee does an amazing job building up the characters in this book. She has a gift for drawing you into the characters and making you feel invested in their stories. She did the same in the ‘This’ series with Gabby and Bradley. The events throughout the book were very realistic and well written, making me feel as if I was there with Alex and Drew. My heart broke for Alex so many times while I was reading, and I spent a large majority of the book in tears. This is an outstanding coming-of-age novel!
I give the book 5 HUGE stars!
November 13, 2013
This book took me full circle, but it was more of a circle with jagged zig zagged lines that eventually found their way back to the start. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that shattered my heart as much as this one. I’ve never ugly cried for more than a few pages in a book. I ugly cried for the first 20% of this one. Don’t get me wrong, though, I wouldn’t take it back for a second. Those ugly cries were heartfelt. J.B. stripped me down and left me feeling raw. When the main character Alex feels like she just can’t cry anymore and doesn’t know how she’ll continue on, I felt the exact same. The scenery and emotions that J.B. is able to depict are brilliant. Even if you’ve never felt a loss like that main character does you’ll know what it feel likes after you read this book.
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish this book it had be so emotionally distraught. The main character finds solace in Drew and is draw to him in a way that makes her forget what’s happened and just be happy for a few moments at a time. Drew was a shining spot for me, as well. He came in at just the right time when Alex felt like she just couldn’t take anymore.
Just when things are beginning to look up and we think maybe there is a way to get past this, J.B. pulls the rug out from us again and we’re left feeling open and raw. Alex finds a way to keep going and living her life one day at a time, though.
Fifteen years pass and Alex still taking it one day at a time. She’s still looking for the boy from the creek who taught her how to skip stones and took away the pain. He comes back into her life at just the right time again, a time of deep sorrow when he’s needed the most.
Finally, they’re able to get that happy ending. The ending that makes all those tears and heartache worth it. The kind of ending that has you smiling so big that you now feel like your heart is going to bust open from all the love and happiness.
You’ll need a box of tissues for this read, maybe two boxes. You’ll need some glue to put the pieces of your shattered heart back together. Don’t forget about the boy who will come and fill your broken heart with fluff to make it full again. Once you’re done reading your heart will have healed, you’ll understand how we all have a path, that we’re only given what we can handle and that we’re given the right people to help us handle it.
Skipping Stones is a story about life and loss, love and heartache, and having that one person from the beginning who’s always been there to help you through it all.
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish this book it had be so emotionally distraught. The main character finds solace in Drew and is draw to him in a way that makes her forget what’s happened and just be happy for a few moments at a time. Drew was a shining spot for me, as well. He came in at just the right time when Alex felt like she just couldn’t take anymore.
Just when things are beginning to look up and we think maybe there is a way to get past this, J.B. pulls the rug out from us again and we’re left feeling open and raw. Alex finds a way to keep going and living her life one day at a time, though.
Fifteen years pass and Alex still taking it one day at a time. She’s still looking for the boy from the creek who taught her how to skip stones and took away the pain. He comes back into her life at just the right time again, a time of deep sorrow when he’s needed the most.
Finally, they’re able to get that happy ending. The ending that makes all those tears and heartache worth it. The kind of ending that has you smiling so big that you now feel like your heart is going to bust open from all the love and happiness.
You’ll need a box of tissues for this read, maybe two boxes. You’ll need some glue to put the pieces of your shattered heart back together. Don’t forget about the boy who will come and fill your broken heart with fluff to make it full again. Once you’re done reading your heart will have healed, you’ll understand how we all have a path, that we’re only given what we can handle and that we’re given the right people to help us handle it.
Skipping Stones is a story about life and loss, love and heartache, and having that one person from the beginning who’s always been there to help you through it all.
October 1, 2013
FULL REVIEW AT SHARON'S BOOK NOOK!
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
Skipping Stones is a beautifully emotional story of love and loss.
This book is very well written and draws the reader in immediately. I felt like I was a part of this story, already crying at only 10% of the way through. Very real emotions and very realistic reactions from all characters involved to each of these situations that you forget this is a work of fiction.
It follows the story of Alex Hart who loses her parents tragically at age fifteen. Her father’s parents become her legal guardians and she moves in with them. Only days after losing both her parents she meets Drew who is seventeen and he helps her through her pain, becomes her first love only to disappear without a word a month later. Alex moves on with her life as best as she can and joins the military to help fund her college tuition to become a doctor. She succeeds and fifteen years later, still serving in the military she is sent to serve in the war taking place in Afghanistan treating wounded soldiers/casualties of the war. She finds herself in a dangerous situation where unexpectedly Drew saves her once again. Drew, has secrets of his own and reasons for his initial departure . When he finds his way back into Alex’s life all these years later we get to know him as the man who ‘keeps his promises’. Together these characters have a beautiful story of young love/first love that has never died over the fifteen years they were apart.
This book is one that stays with you well after it is finished and I am so glad that this story has a gorgeous happy ever after for these wonderful characters. There are no steamy love scenes in this book but the emotions are so well expressed and so strong that it doesn’t need any.
It is a heavy read emotionally and a definite ‘page turner’ because of this. It leaves a wonderful feeling of hope and happiness once it’s over. Brilliant read, definitely put this on your to-read list.
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
Skipping Stones is a beautifully emotional story of love and loss.
This book is very well written and draws the reader in immediately. I felt like I was a part of this story, already crying at only 10% of the way through. Very real emotions and very realistic reactions from all characters involved to each of these situations that you forget this is a work of fiction.
It follows the story of Alex Hart who loses her parents tragically at age fifteen. Her father’s parents become her legal guardians and she moves in with them. Only days after losing both her parents she meets Drew who is seventeen and he helps her through her pain, becomes her first love only to disappear without a word a month later. Alex moves on with her life as best as she can and joins the military to help fund her college tuition to become a doctor. She succeeds and fifteen years later, still serving in the military she is sent to serve in the war taking place in Afghanistan treating wounded soldiers/casualties of the war. She finds herself in a dangerous situation where unexpectedly Drew saves her once again. Drew, has secrets of his own and reasons for his initial departure . When he finds his way back into Alex’s life all these years later we get to know him as the man who ‘keeps his promises’. Together these characters have a beautiful story of young love/first love that has never died over the fifteen years they were apart.
This book is one that stays with you well after it is finished and I am so glad that this story has a gorgeous happy ever after for these wonderful characters. There are no steamy love scenes in this book but the emotions are so well expressed and so strong that it doesn’t need any.
It is a heavy read emotionally and a definite ‘page turner’ because of this. It leaves a wonderful feeling of hope and happiness once it’s over. Brilliant read, definitely put this on your to-read list.
August 24, 2014
I loved this book! It is wonderfully written, a truly genuine story that pulls you in and doesn't let go! I so enjoyed
being with Alex as she experiences the pain of loosing her parents and falling for her first love,Drew, only to lose him also. At least she has the love of her grandparents to sustain her through the grief. They are the one constant in her life as she tries to move on and go on to graduate high school.
Alex has to let go of the past, and she intends to do just that the day she joins the Army.She wants to become a nurse and the army will be able to provide her the means. Her mission is to spare others the pain she had suffered. She would fight to save lives. She did not expect to actually be going to war. But she had signed up, and go she would.
She never expected to see Drew again. especially not just before a bomb exploded! He saved her life. But where was he? When she came to in the hospital, he was gone again. And to make matters worse. no one could find him. No one had ever even heard of him! Was he a figment of her pain filled heart? Was the grief from her past and the grief she saw daily causing her to imagine him? Or was Drew really a love em and leave em type? There was the fact that he seemed to appear out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly. Not to mention the fact that not even the army coud find him!
Alex had to get her life together for her Grandmothers sake. Now her grandfather was gone, it was just the two of them.Or would Drew give up his secrets, explain why he had disappeared all those years ago, taking her heart with him.
being with Alex as she experiences the pain of loosing her parents and falling for her first love,Drew, only to lose him also. At least she has the love of her grandparents to sustain her through the grief. They are the one constant in her life as she tries to move on and go on to graduate high school.
Alex has to let go of the past, and she intends to do just that the day she joins the Army.She wants to become a nurse and the army will be able to provide her the means. Her mission is to spare others the pain she had suffered. She would fight to save lives. She did not expect to actually be going to war. But she had signed up, and go she would.
She never expected to see Drew again. especially not just before a bomb exploded! He saved her life. But where was he? When she came to in the hospital, he was gone again. And to make matters worse. no one could find him. No one had ever even heard of him! Was he a figment of her pain filled heart? Was the grief from her past and the grief she saw daily causing her to imagine him? Or was Drew really a love em and leave em type? There was the fact that he seemed to appear out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly. Not to mention the fact that not even the army coud find him!
Alex had to get her life together for her Grandmothers sake. Now her grandfather was gone, it was just the two of them.Or would Drew give up his secrets, explain why he had disappeared all those years ago, taking her heart with him.
September 28, 2013
"Our lips crush together, and as his kiss consumes me, he breathes oxygen onto my lungs. My heart starts to race. I'm alive. This is living."
Emotional. Heart Wrenching. Beautiful. These are the words that I use to describe Skipping Stones. I was a huge fan of JB McGee before this book. I had read her This Trilogy and loved her writing, but I love her even more now. She has taken me on a journey of loss like no other author has. It's true what they say, grab your tissues for this book. I cried through the whole thing. Sad tears, happy tears, tears for all of the heartache that Alex faces.
How do I tell you how much this book touched me without spoiling it for you?
I lost my Dad when I was twenty-four, and on that dreadful morning my mother had a heart attack. This book touched the depths of my soul. It made me relive my own loss, but it also made me remember all the good times spent with my Dad. Death is inevitable, it's the time you are alive that matters. Make the most of it. Love hard, Laugh lots, and Never Forget.
This book is a journey of a young girl who faces loss young. She fights to move on and overcome this tragedy. When she meets Drew, he is the only thing that keeps her going, fighting. He is the light that fills her darkness. The book ends fifteen years later and so I don't spoil anything for you this is all I can really tell you of the book. I will say this, Read it, Love it, and recommend it to others.
Read
November 15, 2013"Our lips crush together, and as his kiss consumes me, he breathes oxygen onto my lungs. My heart starts to race. I'm alive. This is living."
Emotional. Heart Wrenching. Beautiful. These are the words that I use to describe Skipping Stones. I was a huge fan of JB McGee before this book. I had read her This Trilogy and loved her writing, but I love her even more now. She has taken me on a journey of loss like no other author has. It's true what they say, grab your tissues for this book. I cried through the whole thing. Sad tears, happy tears, tears for all of the heartache that Alex faces.
How do I tell you how much this book touched me without spoiling it for you?
I lost my Dad when I was twenty-four, and on that dreadful morning my mother had a heart attack. This book touched the depths of my soul. It made me relive my own loss, but it also made me remember all the good times spent with my Dad. Death is inevitable, it's the time you are alive that matters. Make the most of it. Love hard, Laugh lots, and Never Forget.
This book is a journey of a young girl who faces loss young. She fights to move on and overcome this tragedy. When she meets Drew, he is the only thing that keeps her going, fighting. He is the light that fills her darkness. The book ends fifteen years later and so I don't spoil anything for you this is all I can really tell you of the book. I will say this, Read it, Love it, and recommend it to others.
I am giving this wonderful story 5 Stars!
September 9, 2013
What can I say? This is one hell of an amazing book. From the title you think it’s just going to be to do with Skipping stone, but no. Yes it happens in the book. Everyone needs to know how to skip stones.
Alex a normal blunt girl, Drew a normal young lad who end up turning to each other, through unexpected incidents?
Nothing in this book follows the normal way, you assume “Oh this is going to happen next.” And it doesn’t. It’s full on unexpected surprises that make you want to carry on reading. The need to know what’s going to happen.
I love the fact that the leads are not in the twenties, lived there life, had their heart broken, need to learn to trust again. It is a breath of fresh air.
JB has placed a lot of raw emotions into her characters, not only Alex and Drew but papa and memaw. You fall in love with ever one in the book, you feel like you are part of the story, part of the story. JB has made the characters come to life, they take your heart, make you part of the story.
I have never laughed and cried so much in a book EVER. Make sure you have tissues before you start to read it.
This is a very different side to JB’s writing and I LOVE it. You can tell the amount of emotion JB has placed into it.
A huge 5 star rating
Alex a normal blunt girl, Drew a normal young lad who end up turning to each other, through unexpected incidents?
Nothing in this book follows the normal way, you assume “Oh this is going to happen next.” And it doesn’t. It’s full on unexpected surprises that make you want to carry on reading. The need to know what’s going to happen.
I love the fact that the leads are not in the twenties, lived there life, had their heart broken, need to learn to trust again. It is a breath of fresh air.
JB has placed a lot of raw emotions into her characters, not only Alex and Drew but papa and memaw. You fall in love with ever one in the book, you feel like you are part of the story, part of the story. JB has made the characters come to life, they take your heart, make you part of the story.
I have never laughed and cried so much in a book EVER. Make sure you have tissues before you start to read it.
This is a very different side to JB’s writing and I LOVE it. You can tell the amount of emotion JB has placed into it.
A huge 5 star rating
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