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Palace Hills
Palace Hills. The very name struck shivers down the spine of the affluent city of Goldendale.
Unfortunately, eighteen-year-old Nina Sharman has no choice but to call the poverty-stricken neighborhood her new home.
Life seems bleak until a chance meeting with Conner Hale changes her mind and captures her heart, leading her to believe that maybe Palace Hills wasn’t so bad after all.
However, one tragic case of mistaken identity changes everything and leads to an event so horrifying that Nina believes she could never recover.
Choosing to leave Conner behind, Nina vows never to return to Palace Hills again.
Five years later, Nina has a new home, a new boyfriend and a new life. Yet, still haunted by the ghosts of her past, Nina finds she must return to Palace Hills to put an end to a nightmare, which has haunted her for years.
Upon her return, one vital slip in judgement threatens to bring the life she had worked so hard to build to come crashing down.
Unfortunately, eighteen-year-old Nina Sharman has no choice but to call the poverty-stricken neighborhood her new home.
Life seems bleak until a chance meeting with Conner Hale changes her mind and captures her heart, leading her to believe that maybe Palace Hills wasn’t so bad after all.
However, one tragic case of mistaken identity changes everything and leads to an event so horrifying that Nina believes she could never recover.
Choosing to leave Conner behind, Nina vows never to return to Palace Hills again.
Five years later, Nina has a new home, a new boyfriend and a new life. Yet, still haunted by the ghosts of her past, Nina finds she must return to Palace Hills to put an end to a nightmare, which has haunted her for years.
Upon her return, one vital slip in judgement threatens to bring the life she had worked so hard to build to come crashing down.
- GenresRomance
Unknown Binding
First published September 9, 2014
28 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
S. Briones Lim
19 books118 followersThanks to her Mom's unwavering devotion to read a bedtime story to her every single night throughout her childhood years, S. BRIONES LIM's love for books began before she could even speak. Amazon Bestselling author, S. Briones Lim's other obsessions include time with family, POPCORN, sketching, movies and her dogs, Tobi and Roscoe. She currently lives on the East Coast with her husband and continues to write every day.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 15, 2019
“Always remember that sometimes, bad things happen so that even greater things can be born.”
Oh, the flood gates opened for this one! Where to even begin? I guess Palace Hills would be a good start. Nina and her family moved there after her big shot father lost his job. Adjusting from the country club to the players club, Nina found herself stuck in the low-income housing projects.
With self-absorbed parents, Nina and her seven-year-old brother, Matthew were on their own. Searching for the silver lining in a horrible situation, Conner Hale, a lifer of Palace Hills makes it his mission to get Nina to see the good in his slummy community. It may not be much, but the projects had taught him the importance of family, something Nina never learned with her parents. That first summer in Palace Hills was the first time Nina fell in love. Despite the awful neighborhood, Conner showed Nina and her little brother what acceptance felt like and they welcomed it with open arms.
But not everyone in the ghetto was as welcoming as Conner Hale and one night, something unforgiveable happens. The books immediately changes from a young adult romance, to a teenager dealing deeply with depression, emotional abuse and self-harm. Without giving too much away, Nina’s life is turned upside down and sets her on an incredibly hard path. I shed a lot of tears reading about her trying to overcome that event.
The ending of story didn’t end with the traditional happily ever after. I mean, sure she was happy, but she didn’t choose the path I wished she had. She didn’t end up with the one I was rallying for, and due to that, it brought up the same bitter sweet feeling I had when I read The Hunger Games. So, I’m left with the reminded words of another readers consolation when describing the end of Katniss Everdeens’s story, “The effects of war destroy everything. Every hope, every dream is tainted by violence. A survivor of such a horrific event loses everything they knew, including their first love. They cannot come back from such a horrific event.” Years later, I now find that explanation comforting me again and understanding Nina’s decision.
An incredible book I will be recommending for years to come!
Oh, the flood gates opened for this one! Where to even begin? I guess Palace Hills would be a good start. Nina and her family moved there after her big shot father lost his job. Adjusting from the country club to the players club, Nina found herself stuck in the low-income housing projects.
With self-absorbed parents, Nina and her seven-year-old brother, Matthew were on their own. Searching for the silver lining in a horrible situation, Conner Hale, a lifer of Palace Hills makes it his mission to get Nina to see the good in his slummy community. It may not be much, but the projects had taught him the importance of family, something Nina never learned with her parents. That first summer in Palace Hills was the first time Nina fell in love. Despite the awful neighborhood, Conner showed Nina and her little brother what acceptance felt like and they welcomed it with open arms.
But not everyone in the ghetto was as welcoming as Conner Hale and one night, something unforgiveable happens. The books immediately changes from a young adult romance, to a teenager dealing deeply with depression, emotional abuse and self-harm. Without giving too much away, Nina’s life is turned upside down and sets her on an incredibly hard path. I shed a lot of tears reading about her trying to overcome that event.
The ending of story didn’t end with the traditional happily ever after. I mean, sure she was happy, but she didn’t choose the path I wished she had. She didn’t end up with the one I was rallying for, and due to that, it brought up the same bitter sweet feeling I had when I read The Hunger Games. So, I’m left with the reminded words of another readers consolation when describing the end of Katniss Everdeens’s story, “The effects of war destroy everything. Every hope, every dream is tainted by violence. A survivor of such a horrific event loses everything they knew, including their first love. They cannot come back from such a horrific event.” Years later, I now find that explanation comforting me again and understanding Nina’s decision.
An incredible book I will be recommending for years to come!
September 20, 2014
4.5 stars! Review copy provided by Xpresso Book Tours. My heart is heavy and it hurts right now. I needed to take a deep breath and think about this book before I could actually review it. I have been gutted by two books in a row now! This was such a hard book for me to read but every time I put it down I kept picking it back up. Love triangles are hard for me and when you love both of the H's (because I consider them to both be) it makes it that much harder. I always find myself rooting for the first love for some reason (unless they are unlikable). Kudos to the author for taking on this subject and soaring. This book is deep and it's bittersweet and it made me cry and I'm actually crying writing this review. This is one of the more emotional books I've read and I need something light and funny now . Oh my god this author nailed this book. She said it took her eight years to write it and I'm glad she finally did because this book should be read. I truly hope it gets the recognition it deserves. I went into this book oblivious and honestly if I knew what it was about I probably would have held off for awhile before reading it, but I'm glad I didn't. I can't write too much about the book because I feel I would be taking that emotional connection away from the reader. I'm going to try writing a little about it without spoiling it for anyone.
Nina (h) almost eighteen has been taken from her posh life and home and moved to the "projects" Palace Hills. Her family has lost everything and both her parents are absent from her and her brothers life. Her mother self medicating and her father depressed and non verbal, leaving Nina to take care of her seven year old brother Matthew. Nina and Matthew quickly make friends with Connor (H) and his mother Jillian. Connor wants to take Nina under his wings and help her and her brother survive in Palace Hills showing them the ropes. Jillian takes on the role of mother by making sure they are cared for and fed. The only thing going for a place like Palace Hills is a strong sense of family which Matthew and Nina do not have or ever will. Connor and Nina are falling for each other. Connor is different from all the boys she's dated. Connor lives in Palace Hills. Nina loves Connor. After tragedy strikes Palace Hills Nina wants to leave and never return. Nina graduates and gets out of Palace Hills as fast as she can. She moves on to college the shell of the person she once was.
Finley (H) and her meet at a party and he is enamored by her, pursuing her relentlessly. Nina finally gives in and they become involved. Finley is the perfect package smart, sweet, caring and rich. Finley is the complete opposite of Connor. Finley is safe and secure. Nina loves Finley.
Years have past and Nina has to return to Palace Hills. What will happen when she runs into Connor; her first love her soul mate? Will she forget Finley or finally be able to move on?
I really can't write anymore without giving anything away.
I thought this book was wonderful, there were just a couple things that I noted that confused me. I think there may have been a time discrepancy in July. A chapter starts out in July and then later in the book at least a week has past but the date is July 4th. The other was, I just thought it a little strange coming from so much wealth that they chose the "projects" to live. I would have thought they might find a small dingy apartment in the city or something. No biggie those were just side notes I had.
I have got to say this author wasn't afraid to take a leap from the norm and give you a different kind of romance. I'm still in awe and still thinking about it. This review took me hours to write because I really wanted to do this book justice. Congratulations to S. Briones Lim for writing a book and not going with your typical romance.
I recommend, but make sure you have a box of tissues handy you will need them.
http://triciaciak.blogspot.com/
Nina (h) almost eighteen has been taken from her posh life and home and moved to the "projects" Palace Hills. Her family has lost everything and both her parents are absent from her and her brothers life. Her mother self medicating and her father depressed and non verbal, leaving Nina to take care of her seven year old brother Matthew. Nina and Matthew quickly make friends with Connor (H) and his mother Jillian. Connor wants to take Nina under his wings and help her and her brother survive in Palace Hills showing them the ropes. Jillian takes on the role of mother by making sure they are cared for and fed. The only thing going for a place like Palace Hills is a strong sense of family which Matthew and Nina do not have or ever will. Connor and Nina are falling for each other. Connor is different from all the boys she's dated. Connor lives in Palace Hills. Nina loves Connor. After tragedy strikes Palace Hills Nina wants to leave and never return. Nina graduates and gets out of Palace Hills as fast as she can. She moves on to college the shell of the person she once was.
Finley (H) and her meet at a party and he is enamored by her, pursuing her relentlessly. Nina finally gives in and they become involved. Finley is the perfect package smart, sweet, caring and rich. Finley is the complete opposite of Connor. Finley is safe and secure. Nina loves Finley.
Years have past and Nina has to return to Palace Hills. What will happen when she runs into Connor; her first love her soul mate? Will she forget Finley or finally be able to move on?
I really can't write anymore without giving anything away.
I thought this book was wonderful, there were just a couple things that I noted that confused me. I think there may have been a time discrepancy in July. A chapter starts out in July and then later in the book at least a week has past but the date is July 4th. The other was, I just thought it a little strange coming from so much wealth that they chose the "projects" to live. I would have thought they might find a small dingy apartment in the city or something. No biggie those were just side notes I had.
I have got to say this author wasn't afraid to take a leap from the norm and give you a different kind of romance. I'm still in awe and still thinking about it. This review took me hours to write because I really wanted to do this book justice. Congratulations to S. Briones Lim for writing a book and not going with your typical romance.
I recommend, but make sure you have a box of tissues handy you will need them.
http://triciaciak.blogspot.com/
September 11, 2014
From the moment I read the first page of this book, I was hooked! Palace Hills is about a story of Nina who moves to a town she's not too familiar with and struggles with the change. However, she meets Conner and everything doesn't seem to bad...that is, until a tragic event happens. I won't spoil it, but pretty sure I did ugly cry during that part.
After the event, Nina tries to forget and moves away to go to college and ends up moving on with Finley, who is such an amazing man. Shoot, Finley and Conner are both amaze-balls.
Honestly, I had no idea who was going to end up with whom....which is why I loved this book so much. The author keeps us on our toes and I didn't want this story to end!!! Love love love this book and can't wait to read more from S. Briones Lim! I've become a huge fan!!!!
After the event, Nina tries to forget and moves away to go to college and ends up moving on with Finley, who is such an amazing man. Shoot, Finley and Conner are both amaze-balls.
Honestly, I had no idea who was going to end up with whom....which is why I loved this book so much. The author keeps us on our toes and I didn't want this story to end!!! Love love love this book and can't wait to read more from S. Briones Lim! I've become a huge fan!!!!
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October 15, 2014
oh my where do I start? thus is the first book by S. Briones Lim I have read. have to say it was a great book. I am not much if a NA reader but it hooked me.
Nina- girl who's world was turned up side when they had to move to a not so good area Palace Hills. She met Conner , fell in "love" with him. Events unfolded that left Nina feeling dead on the inside. She finished High School and moved away to college where she Finley. He kept "running" into her till she realized she kinda liked him.
Matthew--Ninas little brother.
Conner -- the guy from the Palace Hills. He was not a bad guy. First time he met Nina he was in love. His basketball went in her yard and she sliced it with a pocket knive. He never gave up on his love for her either.
Finley-- Guy from college that trays to tell Nina she isn't damaged. That she deserves to be happy and the events that make her feel like that were not her fault.
You so need to read this so you know what happened and who Nina loves. it was an emotional roller coaster so make sure to have tissues on hand.
Nina- girl who's world was turned up side when they had to move to a not so good area Palace Hills. She met Conner , fell in "love" with him. Events unfolded that left Nina feeling dead on the inside. She finished High School and moved away to college where she Finley. He kept "running" into her till she realized she kinda liked him.
Matthew--Ninas little brother.
Conner -- the guy from the Palace Hills. He was not a bad guy. First time he met Nina he was in love. His basketball went in her yard and she sliced it with a pocket knive. He never gave up on his love for her either.
Finley-- Guy from college that trays to tell Nina she isn't damaged. That she deserves to be happy and the events that make her feel like that were not her fault.
You so need to read this so you know what happened and who Nina loves. it was an emotional roller coaster so make sure to have tissues on hand.
July 15, 2015
Oh my gosh where to start? This book is amazing!!!. This is definitely a great book.
October 14, 2024
This book had some potential, but the writing did not allow it to live up to any promise that was there. I there were more exclamation point in one chapter than are contained in most books. It was also very choppy and didn’t really flow.
Nina had a lot of tragedy in her life, but she wasn’t a very likable character and I struggled to feel for her. Conner and Finley both could do so much better than her. I wanted them to both get a happy ending that didn’t include Nina’s dramatics. Not my favorite book by this author.
Nina had a lot of tragedy in her life, but she wasn’t a very likable character and I struggled to feel for her. Conner and Finley both could do so much better than her. I wanted them to both get a happy ending that didn’t include Nina’s dramatics. Not my favorite book by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down. Despite the start to finish dates in this bittersweet book, I read it in just a few days. I took a break when I knew something bad was about to happen, because I wasn't at a point in my life where I wanted to read about what I could foresee happening. I found Nina's sense of guilt came across as authentic. Nina's refusal to get counseling and her family's move from a penthouse to the projects, on the other hand, came across as too extreme.
May 22, 2015
Palace Hills was a phenomenal book....I would say this is the best book that I have ever read throughout the course of my life. This is one book that you cannot put down and wish it never ended. I could say more about Palace Hills but don't want to spoil it for any other readers out there. Cudos to Author Lim!! I am looking forward to reading more of Author Lim. Keep up the fabulous work!
April 9, 2015
Extremely poignant, this reads like a fictional memoir of someone's truly horrible life. Spanning several years, this riches-to-rags story tells, in great detail, the story of a girl who loses everything she loves. If you need a good, ugly, snot-blowing cry, add this to your list.
April 12, 2015
Omg this book took me through so many feelings. Even with the amazing ending I feel sad and happy. I recommend this to my friends the characters will stay with you for a long time and the story holds you tight until over and stays with you after its over
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews