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Sublime Karma
When Brie’s stepfather moves the family for what he calls a new beginning, it’s not the new beginning the beautiful, yet guarded, senior would have hoped for. Brie is instantly targeted by jealous girls at her new school, and the only available seat on her bus is next to the school’s star wide receiver, Jake, who for some reason, finds her offensive. After a humiliating article and picture of Brie is posted in the online school journal, a demon she thought she’d overcome resurfaces, and her life unravels. A newly compassionate Jake has finally taken an interest in her, but can Brie learn to trust her heart, or will she miss out on the best thing that ever happened to her?
Jake has his own secrets and has built his own walls, but eventually his curiosity about the new girl gets the best of him. Unfortunately, now there is competition: the captain of her cross-country team. Jake’s romantic histories with the girl next door and the school’s queen bee, adds tension to a simmering tempest when all he wants is Brie. Is he strong enough to help the one he loves weave sense into her crumbling new reality while overcoming his own tainted past?
Jake has his own secrets and has built his own walls, but eventually his curiosity about the new girl gets the best of him. Unfortunately, now there is competition: the captain of her cross-country team. Jake’s romantic histories with the girl next door and the school’s queen bee, adds tension to a simmering tempest when all he wants is Brie. Is he strong enough to help the one he loves weave sense into her crumbling new reality while overcoming his own tainted past?
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2016
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279 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 28, 2017
Just when you think you have read the final word on teen angst, emotional assassination, tainted love and petty jealousies, along comes SUBLIME KARMA and one more time, we are shown the damage teen cruelty can do everyone, not just the victim. Welcome to one more tale that rams home proof that bullying in all of its forms is alive and well, the aftermath is twice as brutal and the gang or clique mentality rages on.
Brie is the new girl, the perfect target, alone, attractive and fresh meat for the high school princess and her court of heartless, gutless flunkies, all because of one boy. The humiliation factor runs high as Brie is subjected to a constant barrage from the “It” girl who lost her star athlete boyfriend long before Brie showed up. Why Brie, you ask? Because her first day of school, she had nowhere to sit on the bus except next to Jake, who really was a bit of an ass until he wasn’t and he discovered that Brie was actually a girl he wanted to know better. Who knew he would then have competition that would further cause Brie pain?
What no one knew was that Brie already has a terrible secret and her own self-worth was already tanked in a world that failed to protect her and she wasn’t alone, she was just weaker than those around her.
Peyton Garver may have gone over the top with her tale of the abuse of one girl. She may have capsulized the twisted mentality and lack of human compassion in the halls of education as well as life behind the closed doors of the one place where children should find a safe haven and protection. I will say, it was that exact tactic that had my blood pressure boiling over and kept me turning each page in disgust, shock and disbelief as an adult, an involved parent who taught by example and as a victim of bullying as a child. Ms. Garver did get her point across on many fronts, but I didn’t find the “aha” moment I needed to say, “Make this required reading for anyone who breathes.” One can only hope this does not become a "how-to" for all of those insecure hormones raging in the young adult world.
I received this copy from Peyton Garver in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing, LLC (November 30, 2016)
Publication Date: November 30, 2016
Genre: YA Abuse
Print Length: 277 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Brie is the new girl, the perfect target, alone, attractive and fresh meat for the high school princess and her court of heartless, gutless flunkies, all because of one boy. The humiliation factor runs high as Brie is subjected to a constant barrage from the “It” girl who lost her star athlete boyfriend long before Brie showed up. Why Brie, you ask? Because her first day of school, she had nowhere to sit on the bus except next to Jake, who really was a bit of an ass until he wasn’t and he discovered that Brie was actually a girl he wanted to know better. Who knew he would then have competition that would further cause Brie pain?
What no one knew was that Brie already has a terrible secret and her own self-worth was already tanked in a world that failed to protect her and she wasn’t alone, she was just weaker than those around her.
Peyton Garver may have gone over the top with her tale of the abuse of one girl. She may have capsulized the twisted mentality and lack of human compassion in the halls of education as well as life behind the closed doors of the one place where children should find a safe haven and protection. I will say, it was that exact tactic that had my blood pressure boiling over and kept me turning each page in disgust, shock and disbelief as an adult, an involved parent who taught by example and as a victim of bullying as a child. Ms. Garver did get her point across on many fronts, but I didn’t find the “aha” moment I needed to say, “Make this required reading for anyone who breathes.” One can only hope this does not become a "how-to" for all of those insecure hormones raging in the young adult world.
I received this copy from Peyton Garver in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing, LLC (November 30, 2016)
Publication Date: November 30, 2016
Genre: YA Abuse
Print Length: 277 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
October 9, 2017
I was given a review copy of this book from Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. I started this book with no idea what I was about to read. Aaannnd... I thought this was going to be a light, short read, but it wasn't. It deals with really serious things like self-harm and suicide.
Things I liked about this book!!
• The characters - they're all messed up in their own way. At first I couldn't really connect with them, but as I read on, I grew to love them.
• Brie and Jake met on the school bus!!! Just!!! Like!!! Eleanor!!! And!!! Park!!! (sorry for using too many exclamation marks :P)
• The diversity - Greg and Trevor are deaf, Marcus is black, Ari is suicidal and Brie suffers from self-injury disorder.
• Jake. He's the best. (Well, I actually disliked him in the beginning, because he keeps on playing Ari and sending her flirtatious texts when he is kind-of-but-not-yet-officially-together with Brie.) Although he's popular and part of the "cool crowd" (football player + homecoming king), he stands up for Brie when the mean cheerleaders bully her. He's really caring and thoughtful and I like his character.
• Brie is an awesome runner! I love reading about female characters who run like the wind. I suck at sports and run really slowly - I'm really envious of the girls on the cross country team. I get super sweaty after 5 minutes of running and they can still look gorgeous after jogging for like, half an hour? HOW DO THEY EVEN DO THAT. Also, they put "cross country" in their Instagram bios, with a running emoji. I, on the other hand, put "lover of coconut milk". :P
Things I didn't like about the book...
Honestly, I loved a lot of things about this book, but... there's this one thing that keeps bothering me...
• Girl hate - Sarah and Pam are super bishy to Brie for no reason at all. They slut shame her and I simply could not stand it! I felt so sorry for Brie, she didn't deserve to be treated like that :(
Overall thoughts
I really like this book. The author did a good job addressing issues like abuse, bullying, cutting, sexual assault and suicide. I would recommend it to people who like to read contemporary, romance and mental health books.
Wow. I started this book with no idea what I was about to read. Aaannnd... I thought this was going to be a light, short read, but it wasn't. It deals with really serious things like self-harm and suicide.
Things I liked about this book!!
• The characters - they're all messed up in their own way. At first I couldn't really connect with them, but as I read on, I grew to love them.
• Brie and Jake met on the school bus!!! Just!!! Like!!! Eleanor!!! And!!! Park!!! (sorry for using too many exclamation marks :P)
Brie boarded the bus the next morning, and when she looked down the rows of seats, Jake was already standing in the aisle, waiting for her. Maybe he'd been anticipating this bus ride as much as she had.
• The diversity - Greg and Trevor are deaf, Marcus is black, Ari is suicidal and Brie suffers from self-injury disorder.
• Jake. He's the best. (Well, I actually disliked him in the beginning, because he keeps on playing Ari and sending her flirtatious texts when he is kind-of-but-not-yet-officially-together with Brie.) Although he's popular and part of the "cool crowd" (football player + homecoming king), he stands up for Brie when the mean cheerleaders bully her. He's really caring and thoughtful and I like his character.
• Brie is an awesome runner! I love reading about female characters who run like the wind. I suck at sports and run really slowly - I'm really envious of the girls on the cross country team. I get super sweaty after 5 minutes of running and they can still look gorgeous after jogging for like, half an hour? HOW DO THEY EVEN DO THAT. Also, they put "cross country" in their Instagram bios, with a running emoji. I, on the other hand, put "lover of coconut milk". :P
Things I didn't like about the book...
Honestly, I loved a lot of things about this book, but... there's this one thing that keeps bothering me...
• Girl hate - Sarah and Pam are super bishy to Brie for no reason at all. They slut shame her and I simply could not stand it! I felt so sorry for Brie, she didn't deserve to be treated like that :(
Overall thoughts
I really like this book. The author did a good job addressing issues like abuse, bullying, cutting, sexual assault and suicide. I would recommend it to people who like to read contemporary, romance and mental health books.
July 22, 2017
I was recently sent Sublime Karma by the author, Peyton Garver in exchange for an honest review. If y’all think you have had enough of teenage drams - prissy cheerleaders, jerky jocks, mysterious emos - welcome to Sublime Karma. In this novel issues of teenage depression, self-harm, domestic abuse, peer bullying are all brought to the forefront as Garver brings together two distinctly different high schoolers into a romantic and potentially fatal romance. This book has touched my heart, feelings, thoughts in a way that no story - not even Go Ask Alice or our favorite psychological classic, The Bell Jar has ever done before. Beginning, continuing, and ending as a novel heavy in dialogue and brief in illusion and description, Sublime Karma paints a portrait of your typical high school novela.
Everything at Jake’s high school seems to be running just as, according to drama-dictionary standards, just as it should be. Jake is our average high school jock, a star football player and member of the up-and-coming band, Sublime Karma, who finds himself stuck in a love triangle with the girl next door, Ari and the two-timing chick, Sarah - neither of which he could say he loves.
Brie moves into town with a past that unravels as the novel continues to build suspense. Clearly troubled by her past and nervous to starting fresh in a new suburban town, Brie’s first encounter with Jake marks the onset of a chain of formidable event that do not only change their life but as well as that of those around them. From the moment that Jake (reluctantly) assents to let Brie sit next to him on the bus, being the only empty seat left, she automatically becomes target to a new wave of harm that will, by the end of the book return to he r perpetrators - indeed what we could call sublime karma.
Brie joins the high school cross country as a way to "keep herself busy," at least that is as much as Garver is willing to tell us in the beginning stages of the novel. On her first day of practice she meets the charming captain of the team, Ryan, but who comes with a bit of drama of his own, in this case the captain of the girls team. Proving to be a threat, not only because of her beauty but also for her talent as a long distance runner, Brie automatically arouses jealousy from the other teammates. Ryan, on the other hand, is already falling for her. Ryan is all that a girl could hope for - handsome, kind, understanding, but is this really what could mend the wounds of this sad girl?
Inevitably finding herself blown away by Ryan, yet intrigued by Jake, Brie struggles to at the same time fit in at the new school and keep her painful past…in the past. As the novel progresses, Brie and
Jake find themselves drawn to each other for their "baggage," each attracted to each other from pure curiosity, but, by the end, unable to do without each other - call it love? Absolutely.
I was initially skeptical going into Sublime Karma mainly because…wait for it… I hate the cover. Yup.
When I saw the image of this girl with an intense look of anxiety on her face, blurred by a red cloud in the background, my heart sunk a bit in anticipation for just another piece of chick lit. That is, in fact, how the novel begins but as I traversed deeper into the text, I found myself unable to put it down. Garver addresses a variety of issues beyond the usual high school bullying and short-lived high school relationships. As already mentioned, this novel is brief in description and heavy in dialogue, probably more fit for a screenplay than actual book, but the relationship between the characters, both the protagonists and supporting characters is just so vivid and real. I was especially touched by the transformation that Jake undergoes throughout the novel and his overall role in Bries suffering and, ultimately, her healing.
It is rare that I am chocked up and, touched to this degree by a book. Every aspect of this book is raw and created a spur of emotion in me that I never before thought could be accomplished. Garver has not only created a novel of suspense, but also a masterpiece that paints a picture of the significant consequences that a spiteful person can have on a sad person.
Everything at Jake’s high school seems to be running just as, according to drama-dictionary standards, just as it should be. Jake is our average high school jock, a star football player and member of the up-and-coming band, Sublime Karma, who finds himself stuck in a love triangle with the girl next door, Ari and the two-timing chick, Sarah - neither of which he could say he loves.
Brie moves into town with a past that unravels as the novel continues to build suspense. Clearly troubled by her past and nervous to starting fresh in a new suburban town, Brie’s first encounter with Jake marks the onset of a chain of formidable event that do not only change their life but as well as that of those around them. From the moment that Jake (reluctantly) assents to let Brie sit next to him on the bus, being the only empty seat left, she automatically becomes target to a new wave of harm that will, by the end of the book return to he r perpetrators - indeed what we could call sublime karma.
Brie joins the high school cross country as a way to "keep herself busy," at least that is as much as Garver is willing to tell us in the beginning stages of the novel. On her first day of practice she meets the charming captain of the team, Ryan, but who comes with a bit of drama of his own, in this case the captain of the girls team. Proving to be a threat, not only because of her beauty but also for her talent as a long distance runner, Brie automatically arouses jealousy from the other teammates. Ryan, on the other hand, is already falling for her. Ryan is all that a girl could hope for - handsome, kind, understanding, but is this really what could mend the wounds of this sad girl?
Inevitably finding herself blown away by Ryan, yet intrigued by Jake, Brie struggles to at the same time fit in at the new school and keep her painful past…in the past. As the novel progresses, Brie and
Jake find themselves drawn to each other for their "baggage," each attracted to each other from pure curiosity, but, by the end, unable to do without each other - call it love? Absolutely.
I was initially skeptical going into Sublime Karma mainly because…wait for it… I hate the cover. Yup.
When I saw the image of this girl with an intense look of anxiety on her face, blurred by a red cloud in the background, my heart sunk a bit in anticipation for just another piece of chick lit. That is, in fact, how the novel begins but as I traversed deeper into the text, I found myself unable to put it down. Garver addresses a variety of issues beyond the usual high school bullying and short-lived high school relationships. As already mentioned, this novel is brief in description and heavy in dialogue, probably more fit for a screenplay than actual book, but the relationship between the characters, both the protagonists and supporting characters is just so vivid and real. I was especially touched by the transformation that Jake undergoes throughout the novel and his overall role in Bries suffering and, ultimately, her healing.
It is rare that I am chocked up and, touched to this degree by a book. Every aspect of this book is raw and created a spur of emotion in me that I never before thought could be accomplished. Garver has not only created a novel of suspense, but also a masterpiece that paints a picture of the significant consequences that a spiteful person can have on a sad person.
February 23, 2017
Brie Lindstrom is the new girl at school and for her senior year. Right away she becomes the target for the "popular" girls and finds herself getting attention for all the wrong reasons. She gradually makes a few friends but she is afraid to let anyone know about the secrets that she holds close and the demons that she fights.
Jake Gordon is a high school senior who plays football and also plays in the band Sublime Karma. He is attracted to Brie but realizes she is very guarded. Yet soon he is vying for her attention with Ryan, the captain of the cross country team.
Will Jake be able to help break down the walls around Brie and when he learns the truth about her life will he stick by her side or will he panic and leave her?
I really enjoyed this book but it does deal with some super heavy subject matters that not everyone may be comfortable with.
My heart was so open to Brie and I felt so bad with how she was treated right away at school and harassed so much when she never did a single thing to the "popular" girls. As the book went on and I learned even more about Brie I had tears in my eyes learning about the struggles she was going through. It frustrates me that Brie's mom didn't take her kids seriously and I really wish that Leif could have lived closer to Brie.
Jake was an interesting character as he was one of the popular kids yet at the same time he was willing to risk everything for Brie. His popularity didn't matter when it came to her but that also made Brie an obvious target for Sarah and her friends. Jake had his own demons that he struggled with and he did the best he could with the hand he was given.
I loved the talk between Jake and Brie where everything was revealed and both showed so much strength and it resulted in a super strong bond between the two of them. Yet that still didn't mean that more drama didn't happen due to jumping to conclusions!
A great book about dealing with difficult situations and having the courage to overcome them.
Jake Gordon is a high school senior who plays football and also plays in the band Sublime Karma. He is attracted to Brie but realizes she is very guarded. Yet soon he is vying for her attention with Ryan, the captain of the cross country team.
Will Jake be able to help break down the walls around Brie and when he learns the truth about her life will he stick by her side or will he panic and leave her?
I really enjoyed this book but it does deal with some super heavy subject matters that not everyone may be comfortable with.
My heart was so open to Brie and I felt so bad with how she was treated right away at school and harassed so much when she never did a single thing to the "popular" girls. As the book went on and I learned even more about Brie I had tears in my eyes learning about the struggles she was going through. It frustrates me that Brie's mom didn't take her kids seriously and I really wish that Leif could have lived closer to Brie.
Jake was an interesting character as he was one of the popular kids yet at the same time he was willing to risk everything for Brie. His popularity didn't matter when it came to her but that also made Brie an obvious target for Sarah and her friends. Jake had his own demons that he struggled with and he did the best he could with the hand he was given.
I loved the talk between Jake and Brie where everything was revealed and both showed so much strength and it resulted in a super strong bond between the two of them. Yet that still didn't mean that more drama didn't happen due to jumping to conclusions!
A great book about dealing with difficult situations and having the courage to overcome them.
March 15, 2017
I read through this book rather quickly as it caught my interest and then held on to it. I enjoy young adult fiction and this book does not disappoint. The book centers around Brie, the new girl in town. She is beautiful which makes her a target right away with the "mean girls." Their jealousy and desire to hurt in order to make them feel better about themselves is something I think every teenage girl can relate to. It doesn't help that Brie has attracted the attention of popular Jake, a football player and band member of Sublime Karma.
Jake has his own battles he is dealing with and now he has competition in Ryan, the captain of the cross-country team, for Brie's affections. It's refreshing to see how Jake supports Brie and her battles. He shows that even though he is popular, he doesn't have to be mean or intimidate in order to be liked. He is genuine.
The book also deals with cutting. This is something that a lot of teens are struggling with. I never understood the concept because self inflicted pain just seemed strange to me. I mentioned this to a teen girl a few years ago and that is when I discovered she was a cutter. She explained that with all the things she had gone through and had no control over, that cutting was something she could control. She could control how deep she cut or how many times. The sting of the blade reminded her she was alive and could still feel things. She said it was a release of everything she kept pent up inside. It's sad. Just sad.
My only issue with this book is that there is a lot going on in it. I got pulled out of the story a couple of times just checking to make sure I was getting everything. All in all, this is a good read. I would rate it at 4 stars.
Jake has his own battles he is dealing with and now he has competition in Ryan, the captain of the cross-country team, for Brie's affections. It's refreshing to see how Jake supports Brie and her battles. He shows that even though he is popular, he doesn't have to be mean or intimidate in order to be liked. He is genuine.
The book also deals with cutting. This is something that a lot of teens are struggling with. I never understood the concept because self inflicted pain just seemed strange to me. I mentioned this to a teen girl a few years ago and that is when I discovered she was a cutter. She explained that with all the things she had gone through and had no control over, that cutting was something she could control. She could control how deep she cut or how many times. The sting of the blade reminded her she was alive and could still feel things. She said it was a release of everything she kept pent up inside. It's sad. Just sad.
My only issue with this book is that there is a lot going on in it. I got pulled out of the story a couple of times just checking to make sure I was getting everything. All in all, this is a good read. I would rate it at 4 stars.
December 19, 2016
I really liked Sublime Karma. At first I thought there were a lot of characters to keep straight, but keeping them straight was effortless as I got further into the story. I loved the secondary characters. Their personalities seemed so real, I could almost identify them to real people in my high school. And, the issues that were presented in the book involving bullying, cliques, depression, cutting, suicide were realistically presented. Brie, a self isolated transfer student, because of her nature, found it difficult to find her niche. She was most comfortable in her art class with an unlikely table of girls who had a trust group, but unbeknownst to her, one of the girls, Ari, may have had an agenda. Of course, there was a boy involved, Jake. Jake had a history with the school's queen bee. She was his ex. He also had a history with his next door neighbor, Ari, of which I'm dying to know more about. But, he pursues Brie, and in order to get her to trust him, he divulges his darkest secret to her. So much drama! Just like a true high school!
Brie had other issues that drove her character: her father died when she was very young, her step-father was abusive, her mother was not at all nurturing, and she was a cutter. I loved the twist at the end when Brie disappeared and Lief went to rescue her from her step-father. I hope the author decides to write more stories related to this group of characters. I'd love a story that gives the nitty gritty details of Jake's and Ari's background; maybe a story that focuses on Lorianne and Marcus; something that explains what's going on with Brie's friend Ian, is he really gay? Oh, and more about Ari after her suicide attempt.
Ok, so why not five stars? I was put off by Brie's mother. She was a little too conveniently absent for everything to happen in the story.
Brie had other issues that drove her character: her father died when she was very young, her step-father was abusive, her mother was not at all nurturing, and she was a cutter. I loved the twist at the end when Brie disappeared and Lief went to rescue her from her step-father. I hope the author decides to write more stories related to this group of characters. I'd love a story that gives the nitty gritty details of Jake's and Ari's background; maybe a story that focuses on Lorianne and Marcus; something that explains what's going on with Brie's friend Ian, is he really gay? Oh, and more about Ari after her suicide attempt.
Ok, so why not five stars? I was put off by Brie's mother. She was a little too conveniently absent for everything to happen in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2017
Teenage love and politics will make your head spend and remind you why you are glad to no longer be a teenager. In the teenage world, nothing shakes it up like love drama and jealousy. This was actually a really good book that I got into pretty quickly, These characters will take you on a rollercoaster ride of hormones, lust, anger, jealousy . This was a great teenage coming of age story that will you either jealous not to be that age or thankful. This book also hit serious issues of bullying, self-inflicting pain, and depression . This book make the characters come to life to feel the pain, love, humiliation. This book isn’t for everyone especially if you have ever dealt with the serious topics dealt with in this book. You would think this story had to much going on but it captured the story perfectly. Did I hurt for Brie yes, yes I did .I did because her issues aren’t make believe they are real for some teen , young adult , or adult.
I love how the author captured the realness in this story . I cant wait to see what she does next.I would recommend this book
Review by Lindsey
I love how the author captured the realness in this story . I cant wait to see what she does next.I would recommend this book
Review by Lindsey
February 24, 2017
*received for free for an honest review*
*may contain minor spoilers*
From the blurb, I expected this to be a book about bullying, so I was really surprised (in a good way) when it explored harder topics such as abuse and cutting. I feel like cutting is normally seen as "acting out" or what "troubled kids" do. I have a family member who cuts, so I really appreciated seeing how cutting can be used as a coping mechanism, and that good kids can also do it. Even if reading about high school drama isn't your thing, if you want to understand cutting better, this would be a great book for that.
*may contain minor spoilers*
From the blurb, I expected this to be a book about bullying, so I was really surprised (in a good way) when it explored harder topics such as abuse and cutting. I feel like cutting is normally seen as "acting out" or what "troubled kids" do. I have a family member who cuts, so I really appreciated seeing how cutting can be used as a coping mechanism, and that good kids can also do it. Even if reading about high school drama isn't your thing, if you want to understand cutting better, this would be a great book for that.
January 10, 2017
An emotionally charged novel that pulls at your heart.
With issues of self-harm and suicide, there is definitely a dark tone to Sublime Karma. I appreciated that the characters are realistically flawed and their experiences have definitely molded their personalities. I loved the secondary characters as much as the main characters. It was an intense novel with some great twists.
With issues of self-harm and suicide, there is definitely a dark tone to Sublime Karma. I appreciated that the characters are realistically flawed and their experiences have definitely molded their personalities. I loved the secondary characters as much as the main characters. It was an intense novel with some great twists.
July 31, 2017
When Brie starts at a new school in her senior year, she very quickly attracts the attention of two very different boys. But, between her troubled home life and the jealous girls at school making her life a living hell, Brie turns to her secret coping mechanism. Misunderstanding after misunderstanding will lead to a ton of teen drama and might just result in tragic consequences.
This book provides a realistic portrayal of teens, their attitudes, speech, and behavior. However, there are too many minor characters to keep track of. In addition, too much unnecessary detail takes place on the page, while a lot of the important action takes place off the page. A sense of foreboding pervades the whole book, and you just know that something really bad is going to happen. The book title refers to Jake's band, and while I get the double meaning, I'm not sure it's the best title for the book. Maybe if the band featured more heavily? *Spoiler* It's fun watching Jake and Brie fall in love through texts.
Be warned, this is not a light read. While it's a sweet romance, it also deals with a lot of serious issues.
Warnings: self-harm, sexual assault, sexual references, violence, suicide.
Full blog post (31 July): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
This book provides a realistic portrayal of teens, their attitudes, speech, and behavior. However, there are too many minor characters to keep track of. In addition, too much unnecessary detail takes place on the page, while a lot of the important action takes place off the page. A sense of foreboding pervades the whole book, and you just know that something really bad is going to happen. The book title refers to Jake's band, and while I get the double meaning, I'm not sure it's the best title for the book. Maybe if the band featured more heavily? *Spoiler* It's fun watching Jake and Brie fall in love through texts.
Be warned, this is not a light read. While it's a sweet romance, it also deals with a lot of serious issues.
Warnings: self-harm, sexual assault, sexual references, violence, suicide.
Full blog post (31 July): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
October 7, 2017
I honestly haven't read a book set in normal high school for a while. It was kind of refreshing to read something without some fantastical elements in it.
The story that we're presented with is new girl Brie coming onto the scene when her family moves. It's supposed to be a clean slate for the whole family, but Brie quickly draws the ire of basically every girl in school. This turns out to have harrowing consequences, as anyone who's ever seen or heard of high school bullying can tell you.
I applaud Garvey for taking on the theme of bullying and giving it life once again. Yes, I've read similar stories before, but at least in this particular book she doesn't get overdramatic or push things and make them entirely unrealistic. The book itself also pulls you in and hooks you, assuming you make it past the very girly cover. I sat and read this all in one sitting and quite enjoyed the tale.
Honestly, the only reason that I didn't give this book more stars is that I'm not super into the whole love triangle plot that a lot of teen books have. I'd much rather see a relationship fully develop without the 'competition' incentive of another guy trying to get in-between the girl and her love interest.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story that we're presented with is new girl Brie coming onto the scene when her family moves. It's supposed to be a clean slate for the whole family, but Brie quickly draws the ire of basically every girl in school. This turns out to have harrowing consequences, as anyone who's ever seen or heard of high school bullying can tell you.
I applaud Garvey for taking on the theme of bullying and giving it life once again. Yes, I've read similar stories before, but at least in this particular book she doesn't get overdramatic or push things and make them entirely unrealistic. The book itself also pulls you in and hooks you, assuming you make it past the very girly cover. I sat and read this all in one sitting and quite enjoyed the tale.
Honestly, the only reason that I didn't give this book more stars is that I'm not super into the whole love triangle plot that a lot of teen books have. I'd much rather see a relationship fully develop without the 'competition' incentive of another guy trying to get in-between the girl and her love interest.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2017
I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
4 Stars!
Brie is the new girl in school, a senior, and a shy, slightly awkward, introvert. Her first day doesn't go quite as planned after her unintended faux pas. She meets Jake, her not quite neighbor and bus riding companion and he sees beyond the face she presents to the world. Now she has someone in her court when the she-cats start trouble and her personal life starts to implode.
Sublime Karma was my first introduction to Peyton Garver's work and I was blown away. Peyton touched on some tough subjects with class and in a way that the reader can gain some insight into the why. I was hesitant to continue the book when I first caught a wiff of where it was going in relation to Brie's addiction, but I'm glad I finished it. I had a friend that had the same addiction, so it brought back memories of her and some conversations we had regarding it. Peyton's characters were well developed and showed growth. I liked how the jock, who didn't quite fit the stereotype, showed his true colors.
4 Stars!
Brie is the new girl in school, a senior, and a shy, slightly awkward, introvert. Her first day doesn't go quite as planned after her unintended faux pas. She meets Jake, her not quite neighbor and bus riding companion and he sees beyond the face she presents to the world. Now she has someone in her court when the she-cats start trouble and her personal life starts to implode.
Sublime Karma was my first introduction to Peyton Garver's work and I was blown away. Peyton touched on some tough subjects with class and in a way that the reader can gain some insight into the why. I was hesitant to continue the book when I first caught a wiff of where it was going in relation to Brie's addiction, but I'm glad I finished it. I had a friend that had the same addiction, so it brought back memories of her and some conversations we had regarding it. Peyton's characters were well developed and showed growth. I liked how the jock, who didn't quite fit the stereotype, showed his true colors.
October 12, 2017
I must admit that I didn't read the entire synopsis before jumping on the opportunity to read and review this book. What really drew me in was the cover. What it was about the cover, I can't even begin to explain. However, I am thrilled that I read this. This isn't just all fluffy clouds and happy walks in a meadow; it deals with teenage cruelty and so much more. You really need to sit down and read this well written drama with characters that pull you in and leave you breathless.
There's so much I want to say about this book but it will lead me to sharing way too muh with you and spoiling this fantastic read. Don't pass up reading this and don't just take me at my word; get your copy today and see for yourself.
There's so much I want to say about this book but it will lead me to sharing way too muh with you and spoiling this fantastic read. Don't pass up reading this and don't just take me at my word; get your copy today and see for yourself.
July 17, 2017
Sublime Karma is a great story about young love featuring Jake, the popular guy and Brie, the new girl. I was quickly drawn into the story and found the characters realistic and complex. I loved how the author incorporated real-life issues into the characters including jealousy, love, compassion and emotional challenges. In the first third of the book it was a bit difficult to keep pace with the introduction of so many characters but as I read on I realized how the interplay of these characters contributed to the story line. The author did a wonderful job of bringing out the best and worst of high school drama.
This is a great YA love story.
This is a great YA love story.
December 27, 2016
Sublime Karma is a contemporary young adult novel that effectively incorporates so many teen issues, such as depression, suicide, cutting, bullying, and cliques into an emotionally intense story. It sounds like putting all of this into one story might be forced, but the way the story unfolds is an eye opener.
September 11, 2017
I received this book form the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Its full of teen drama but also covers a lot of important topics such as abuse, self harm and suicide. You can read my full review here https://journeyintobooks.wordpress.co...
I really enjoyed this book. Its full of teen drama but also covers a lot of important topics such as abuse, self harm and suicide. You can read my full review here https://journeyintobooks.wordpress.co...
October 4, 2017
3.5/5.0
The book explores several tough topics and doesn’t shy away from the harsher realities of life.
Read full review in the 2017 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
The book explores several tough topics and doesn’t shy away from the harsher realities of life.
Read full review in the 2017 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 12, 2017
The story is written in two POV’s Brie’s and Jake’s, I found this novel very well written and read it within one day/night, it had me hooked from the very start.
February 3, 2018
I couldn't put it down
Well written and compelling. There is a lot to think about in this one! Brie and Jake go through a check of a bunch of garbage but it is worth it.
Well written and compelling. There is a lot to think about in this one! Brie and Jake go through a check of a bunch of garbage but it is worth it.
August 14, 2017
Disclaimer: Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm feeling so conflicted about this novel. Did I enjoy it? To my surprise, yes! I didn't expect the novel to face the heavy topics that it did, so it wasn't the fluffy romance I initially thought it would be (which is a good thing!). But though I enjoyed it, I still had a few big issues with it.
As the story progresses, readers quickly become aware of Brie's mental illness, and it kind of shocked me. We're warned in the synopsis that it isn't appropriate for younger readers, but I think a specific trigger warning would have been more appropriate due to this books nature - there was a lot of heavy topics in this novel that affect people of all ages. I really wish books were published with trigger warnings, but that's a fight for another day.
Our characters were an interesting bunch. When we're first introduced to main character Jake, I didn't like him. He seemed like someone that purely judges a persons worth by the way they look, and a few remarks he made about girls made me cringe (I found myself cringing quite a lot). It seemed like he was interested in every pretty girl he walked past.
However, without giving away any spoilers, about halfway through the book we see a change in Jake. The way his character developed throughout the novel was really positive to see, and I'm glad he stopped acting like such a douche. (Not to say he didn't still have his worse moments, though.)
Brie is our other main character, and I'm not entirely sure what to think about her. I don't know a lot about self-harm, so I honestly can't comment on how accurately it has been portrayed in this novel. With the anxiety side to it, I could relate a little bit - we see her zone out a lot, and although sometimes I found it a bit too out of place, I could appreciate what the author was trying to do - concentration issues are a very common thing when it comes to anxiety.
In the book we're also introduced to Brie's brother (who I didn't really like), and her mom. I would've liked to have seen her mother involved a bit more, but I also feel like her lack of presence was a clever thing to do - it really made it obvious to me the type of relationship Brie and her mother shared.
This is the type of book I'd sort of expect to see on Wattpad - which isn't a bad thing at all (I used to be quite addicted to Wattpad stories a few years back). It's almost like a guilty pleasure read - you know it's not the best story in the world, and perhaps the characters aren't the best either, but you sort of can't help but like it.
I had two main issues with this book: the detail and the grammar. I felt like there wasn't really enough description in some places, which often led to me being confused. And I found quite a lot of mistakes in a grammatical aspect - commas repeatedly in the wrong place, and just a few other things.
I found the last two pages very cute (what can I say? I guess I am a sucker for romance after all). Though I did have issues with this book, I undeniably enjoyed it, and I'm very glad I had the opportunity to read Sublime Karma! It's not something I'd usually go looking for, and it's made me realise that branching out of my comfort zone isn't a bad idea!
You can check out this review over at The Book Crunch!The Book Crunch!
Thanks!
- Emma
Read On!
I'm feeling so conflicted about this novel. Did I enjoy it? To my surprise, yes! I didn't expect the novel to face the heavy topics that it did, so it wasn't the fluffy romance I initially thought it would be (which is a good thing!). But though I enjoyed it, I still had a few big issues with it.
As the story progresses, readers quickly become aware of Brie's mental illness, and it kind of shocked me. We're warned in the synopsis that it isn't appropriate for younger readers, but I think a specific trigger warning would have been more appropriate due to this books nature - there was a lot of heavy topics in this novel that affect people of all ages. I really wish books were published with trigger warnings, but that's a fight for another day.
Our characters were an interesting bunch. When we're first introduced to main character Jake, I didn't like him. He seemed like someone that purely judges a persons worth by the way they look, and a few remarks he made about girls made me cringe (I found myself cringing quite a lot). It seemed like he was interested in every pretty girl he walked past.
However, without giving away any spoilers, about halfway through the book we see a change in Jake. The way his character developed throughout the novel was really positive to see, and I'm glad he stopped acting like such a douche. (Not to say he didn't still have his worse moments, though.)
'Jake gazed into her eyes and smiled with the short pause, then leaned down to whisper the next words in her ear as it was announced from the stage, "We - are Sublime Karma."'
Brie is our other main character, and I'm not entirely sure what to think about her. I don't know a lot about self-harm, so I honestly can't comment on how accurately it has been portrayed in this novel. With the anxiety side to it, I could relate a little bit - we see her zone out a lot, and although sometimes I found it a bit too out of place, I could appreciate what the author was trying to do - concentration issues are a very common thing when it comes to anxiety.
In the book we're also introduced to Brie's brother (who I didn't really like), and her mom. I would've liked to have seen her mother involved a bit more, but I also feel like her lack of presence was a clever thing to do - it really made it obvious to me the type of relationship Brie and her mother shared.
This is the type of book I'd sort of expect to see on Wattpad - which isn't a bad thing at all (I used to be quite addicted to Wattpad stories a few years back). It's almost like a guilty pleasure read - you know it's not the best story in the world, and perhaps the characters aren't the best either, but you sort of can't help but like it.
I had two main issues with this book: the detail and the grammar. I felt like there wasn't really enough description in some places, which often led to me being confused. And I found quite a lot of mistakes in a grammatical aspect - commas repeatedly in the wrong place, and just a few other things.
I found the last two pages very cute (what can I say? I guess I am a sucker for romance after all). Though I did have issues with this book, I undeniably enjoyed it, and I'm very glad I had the opportunity to read Sublime Karma! It's not something I'd usually go looking for, and it's made me realise that branching out of my comfort zone isn't a bad idea!
You can check out this review over at The Book Crunch!The Book Crunch!
Thanks!
- Emma
Read On!
February 17, 2021
Sublime Karma is told from the perspective of Jake, the popular football player and band member of Sublime Karma, and Brie, the new girl. Brie attracts the unwanted attention of the popular girls and is bullied by them, but Jake starts to take an interest in Brie. However, both Jake and Brie have their secrets that they have to overcome. This book is just like being in high school all over again with the cliques and drama. Even though I have graduated from high school over 5 year ago, I still found the story interesting, and I did not want to put it down once I started reading it. As I previously mentioned, the story is told from the viewpoint of both Jake and Brie, but it is not confusing because it is easy to tell whose viewpoint you are reading. I also felt connected to both Brie and Jake, and I could especially relate to Brie because I have been through similar situations as her in high school. The support characters are also interesting because each of them has their own personality. There are not too many support characters to keep track of, and out of those characters, I liked Ari (Jake’s neighbor) the most because she has this mysterious side to her. I also liked Lief (Brie’s brother) because he is protective of her, and Teagan (Jake’s sister) because she has a fun personality. I also thought that it was unique that Ari’s brother Trevor was deaf because I have not read a book before that included characters who were deaf and hard of hearing. Even though this book is for young adults, it discusses heavy themes including bullying, self harm, suicide, depression, and abuse, so I would recommend this book for mature readers. This book also has some romance, but it is not over the top and the relationships focus more on the characters supporting each other. I thought the ending was sweet, but it did leave a few things unanswered with several of the side characters. I would have liked the ending to wrap everything up especially since there is no mention of a sequel. Another thing I did not like is that I felt like the book skipped important parts of the story. I am not going to mention the specific events to keep this review spoiler-free, but these events are lead up to by the characters talking about them, but then the event itself is skipped completely. The characters then mention these events after the fact. I would have preferred to read about the events as they were happening instead of reading what the characters thought about after the fact. Besides the ending and the skipping, I thought this book was enjoyable and I would recommend it if you like young adult books that discuss more serious topics and also have a bit of romance.
You can read my full review here: https://talesofbelle.com/2017/09/09/s...
You can read my full review here: https://talesofbelle.com/2017/09/09/s...
October 8, 2017
***I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review***
I gave this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a bit slower in the beginning, but once I hit about 20 percent I was hooked and had to read until I finished. I even gave this one priority over a book I’ve been waiting forever for just because I was so captivated by the story.
The characters are down to earth and relatable. They clicked together so well that you didn’t even have to question their chemistry. The story worked.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the third person perspective, usually I like to be right inside the persons head when I’m reading anything that isn’t fantasy. It helps me a lot with connecting to the plot and the characters. This is probably why I didn’t warm up to the story that quickly. Nonetheless, I got through it and I really enjoyed it.
What I loved was that I wasn’t completely annoyed by the protagonists. I’ms someone who gets annoyed by people very easily, so finding a book where I like all the characters doesn’t happen a ton. They also grew a lot as people in this book, they became better versions of themselves and strive towards improving.
Something else I found relatable about this book was that when the teens would skip school they would get a phone call home. This was also the case for me in school and for some reason I never actually see that happen in books. The teens usually skip school and their parents are none the wiser about it all.
The downside is that I wish we got more from the ending. I feel like there was a lot of things that were a bit unresolved, especially conflict between certain characters. We never got actual closer where some of those conflicts are concerned. From what I can tell there is no plan for the author to write a sequel, but maybe there will be a surprise book. One of my bookish pet peeves is when not all the loose ends are tied up. This could just be because I have OCD.
Overall, if you’re into edgier Teen romances than this is definitely a book you would enjoy. Despite having a boat load of angst, it was still a very cute story.
I gave this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a bit slower in the beginning, but once I hit about 20 percent I was hooked and had to read until I finished. I even gave this one priority over a book I’ve been waiting forever for just because I was so captivated by the story.
The characters are down to earth and relatable. They clicked together so well that you didn’t even have to question their chemistry. The story worked.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the third person perspective, usually I like to be right inside the persons head when I’m reading anything that isn’t fantasy. It helps me a lot with connecting to the plot and the characters. This is probably why I didn’t warm up to the story that quickly. Nonetheless, I got through it and I really enjoyed it.
What I loved was that I wasn’t completely annoyed by the protagonists. I’ms someone who gets annoyed by people very easily, so finding a book where I like all the characters doesn’t happen a ton. They also grew a lot as people in this book, they became better versions of themselves and strive towards improving.
Something else I found relatable about this book was that when the teens would skip school they would get a phone call home. This was also the case for me in school and for some reason I never actually see that happen in books. The teens usually skip school and their parents are none the wiser about it all.
The downside is that I wish we got more from the ending. I feel like there was a lot of things that were a bit unresolved, especially conflict between certain characters. We never got actual closer where some of those conflicts are concerned. From what I can tell there is no plan for the author to write a sequel, but maybe there will be a surprise book. One of my bookish pet peeves is when not all the loose ends are tied up. This could just be because I have OCD.
Overall, if you’re into edgier Teen romances than this is definitely a book you would enjoy. Despite having a boat load of angst, it was still a very cute story.
August 20, 2017
When reading the blurb, you honestly expect a high school love story, a fun and light read.
Even though this is a story that you'll start and finish in no time, I can't really say it's a light read. At all.
Peyton addresses topics that are quite the opposite. From bullying to self-harm to suicide and abuse. Take this as a warning, guys! If you get triggered by these things, reading is at your own risk...
She does touch these subjects in a good, honest and very straight-forward manner. At certain points, the descriptions are pretty detailed. I had to stop reading at a certain point because I was imagining it very vividly and just couldn't handle it for a second, needed a breather.
You could say she has descriptive writing down pretty well.
When it came to showcasing her character's feelings, it was sometimes the other way around. I felt lost at certain points, when Brie's mood switches completely. I felt like the reason of those switches should've been more clear at particular moments.
Afterwards I'd go "Oh, that's why!" but that was often in the next chapter and by then I felt like rereading everything after where my confusion started.
What I absolutely loved about Sublime Karma? The deaf and hard-of-hearing characters! I'm pretty sure this is one of the first books I've read that has those specific characters and I couldn't be more happy.
Ever since I started watching Switched at Birth a couple of years back, I just fell for the whole signing world. Even though I can't sign for the life of me, I do know certain signs like "sorry" and "thank you".
It was amazing to see how Peyton incorporated these characters in a book!
All in all Sublime Karma is a realistic read of how high school life can be, about the influence everything can have on a person's well-being and, of course, how two people can come together during hard times and help each other get better.
Because of the confusion I had at moments, I enjoyed this novel less than I could've. For that I'm giving this novel 4 / 5.
Kathy
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm not being compensated in any way.
Even though this is a story that you'll start and finish in no time, I can't really say it's a light read. At all.
Peyton addresses topics that are quite the opposite. From bullying to self-harm to suicide and abuse. Take this as a warning, guys! If you get triggered by these things, reading is at your own risk...
She does touch these subjects in a good, honest and very straight-forward manner. At certain points, the descriptions are pretty detailed. I had to stop reading at a certain point because I was imagining it very vividly and just couldn't handle it for a second, needed a breather.
You could say she has descriptive writing down pretty well.
When it came to showcasing her character's feelings, it was sometimes the other way around. I felt lost at certain points, when Brie's mood switches completely. I felt like the reason of those switches should've been more clear at particular moments.
Afterwards I'd go "Oh, that's why!" but that was often in the next chapter and by then I felt like rereading everything after where my confusion started.
What I absolutely loved about Sublime Karma? The deaf and hard-of-hearing characters! I'm pretty sure this is one of the first books I've read that has those specific characters and I couldn't be more happy.
Ever since I started watching Switched at Birth a couple of years back, I just fell for the whole signing world. Even though I can't sign for the life of me, I do know certain signs like "sorry" and "thank you".
It was amazing to see how Peyton incorporated these characters in a book!
All in all Sublime Karma is a realistic read of how high school life can be, about the influence everything can have on a person's well-being and, of course, how two people can come together during hard times and help each other get better.
Because of the confusion I had at moments, I enjoyed this novel less than I could've. For that I'm giving this novel 4 / 5.
Kathy
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm not being compensated in any way.
July 12, 2017
*I was sent this book by the author and YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review*
Sublime Karma follows two main characters – Brie and Jake. Jake is a popular guy, he is on the football team, and everyone seems to like him. Brie is the new girl, who has attracted the attention of a number of people – and not all for good reasons.
Jake wants to get to know her but she seems to keep everyone at arms length and doesn’t seem too interested in making friends. Not like that is going to stop him.
We learn that Brie has quite a bit of baggage, I’m not going to go into detail and spoil anything, but she has a number of demons in her world, trying to make her fail. I did enjoy her character in the sense that she seemed real. She had real problems that a number of people her age are probably dealing with. She was able to open up to Jake and get the help that she needed, and he stuck by her.
Jake had his own secrets, but not anything like Brie’s. He dealt with them the best way he knew how – by pretending they weren’t an issue. Eventually he tells Brie his secrets as a way of getting her to trust him, and because of that, he begins to heal also.
Sublime Karma is a great story of young love and how it conquers all. I was hooked on this book from the beginning, I wanted to know what their ‘secrets’ were. I really connected with the characters and the storyline itself. Overall, this was a wonderful book and I would highly recommend it, especially to those who enjoy reading about diverse topics and mental health issues.
Thank you for stopping by to read my review of Sublime Karma by Peyton Garver. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you to YA Bound Book Tours for allowing me to review it.
Until next time, happy reading
Kim x
Review originally published on my blog: www.booksarelove22.wordpress.com
Sublime Karma follows two main characters – Brie and Jake. Jake is a popular guy, he is on the football team, and everyone seems to like him. Brie is the new girl, who has attracted the attention of a number of people – and not all for good reasons.
Jake wants to get to know her but she seems to keep everyone at arms length and doesn’t seem too interested in making friends. Not like that is going to stop him.
We learn that Brie has quite a bit of baggage, I’m not going to go into detail and spoil anything, but she has a number of demons in her world, trying to make her fail. I did enjoy her character in the sense that she seemed real. She had real problems that a number of people her age are probably dealing with. She was able to open up to Jake and get the help that she needed, and he stuck by her.
Jake had his own secrets, but not anything like Brie’s. He dealt with them the best way he knew how – by pretending they weren’t an issue. Eventually he tells Brie his secrets as a way of getting her to trust him, and because of that, he begins to heal also.
Sublime Karma is a great story of young love and how it conquers all. I was hooked on this book from the beginning, I wanted to know what their ‘secrets’ were. I really connected with the characters and the storyline itself. Overall, this was a wonderful book and I would highly recommend it, especially to those who enjoy reading about diverse topics and mental health issues.
Thank you for stopping by to read my review of Sublime Karma by Peyton Garver. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you to YA Bound Book Tours for allowing me to review it.
Until next time, happy reading
Kim x
Review originally published on my blog: www.booksarelove22.wordpress.com
July 28, 2017
Brie is new at school. She catches the eye of two of the most eleigible bachelors, Ryan and Jake. She runs with Ryan on the cross country team. She sits beside Jake on the bus. But when she starts dating Jake, they realize they both come with baggage. Jake has a history with the captain of the cheer squad, as well as the girl next door. Brie lives with her mother and abusive stepfather. Both of them have lost parents. They have to try to push past their problems to make their romance last.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this story. There were a lot of secondary characters, other than the main ones. This reflects the high school setting, but it was hard to keep track of everyone at first.
Though there was a lot going on in the story, I got hooked right away. There were many subplots so there was lots of action. I really felt immersed in the story.
The narration is third person, but it switches the focus between Brie and Jake. It was confusing at times when it switched between the two of them from one paragraph to the next.
I really enjoyed this story!
There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this story. There were a lot of secondary characters, other than the main ones. This reflects the high school setting, but it was hard to keep track of everyone at first.
Though there was a lot going on in the story, I got hooked right away. There were many subplots so there was lots of action. I really felt immersed in the story.
The narration is third person, but it switches the focus between Brie and Jake. It was confusing at times when it switched between the two of them from one paragraph to the next.
I really enjoyed this story!
January 10, 2021
I received a copy of Sublime Karma from the author for an honest review.
3.5 stars.
From the synopsis, I expected the book to be about bullying and high school cliques. Naturally, I was quite surprised when I realized that the book focused far more on the personal lives of Jake and Brie, and not so much on just the bullying. I sped through the book in under a day. The book dealt with serious issues and I was interested to read about how the characters dealt with them.
Trigger Warning – the book does deal with bullying, self-harm etc.
As far as characters go, I really enjoyed Jake’s character as he wasn’t just an obnoxious jock. I loved how he was so responsible when it came to his family and his sister.
The plot itself was very interesting, although slightly uneven at some points - as I did have to go back a few pages once or twice to keep track. Brie was a very complex character and I didn't quite relate to her but I did want to read more and more about how she dealt with life.
Entire review here - https://meandmymundanelife.wordpress....
3.5 stars.
From the synopsis, I expected the book to be about bullying and high school cliques. Naturally, I was quite surprised when I realized that the book focused far more on the personal lives of Jake and Brie, and not so much on just the bullying. I sped through the book in under a day. The book dealt with serious issues and I was interested to read about how the characters dealt with them.
Trigger Warning – the book does deal with bullying, self-harm etc.
As far as characters go, I really enjoyed Jake’s character as he wasn’t just an obnoxious jock. I loved how he was so responsible when it came to his family and his sister.
The plot itself was very interesting, although slightly uneven at some points - as I did have to go back a few pages once or twice to keep track. Brie was a very complex character and I didn't quite relate to her but I did want to read more and more about how she dealt with life.
Entire review here - https://meandmymundanelife.wordpress....
August 1, 2017
Uncaged Book Reviews:
Aimed mainly at a younger audience, this book is a good story that tackles some of today’s issues, like bullying, abuse and cutting. It tossed me back into high school, and some of the issues that we see happening in the school are some of the things I remember, not necessarily with me, but the drama, the cliques – all present in most high schools from the past and present.
Brie is the new student in school for a senior year, and is already being dissed by the popular girls in the school. Jake, a popular football player, shows an interest in Brie and risks his popularity to get to know her. But Brie and Jake break down each other’s walls, and it becomes a sweet romance that you will cheer for. The characters are well developed and the storyline will have you feeling you are back in high school, whether that’s good or bad for you Reviewed by Cyrene
Aimed mainly at a younger audience, this book is a good story that tackles some of today’s issues, like bullying, abuse and cutting. It tossed me back into high school, and some of the issues that we see happening in the school are some of the things I remember, not necessarily with me, but the drama, the cliques – all present in most high schools from the past and present.
Brie is the new student in school for a senior year, and is already being dissed by the popular girls in the school. Jake, a popular football player, shows an interest in Brie and risks his popularity to get to know her. But Brie and Jake break down each other’s walls, and it becomes a sweet romance that you will cheer for. The characters are well developed and the storyline will have you feeling you are back in high school, whether that’s good or bad for you Reviewed by Cyrene
July 24, 2017
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Sublime Karma is an epic and fantastic read. I really enjoyed the storyline and found the characters relatable. This book is a must-read.
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Sublime Karma is an epic and fantastic read. I really enjoyed the storyline and found the characters relatable. This book is a must-read.
March 26, 2017
Great book!
I thought this book was very engaging with interesting characters and plot. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it!
I thought this book was very engaging with interesting characters and plot. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it!
January 9, 2019
All eyes are at Brie, for she is the "new girl". She moved along the aisle until she reached him. That's when their story begins.
I could say, Jake is such a sweetheart. He’s a loving brother to Teagan and a caring friend to Ari. He’s talented – a football quarterback and plays in a band, Sublime Karma. He may have been a jerk but he doesn’t tolerate bitchy girls such as his ex-girlfriend, Sarah and her minions.
Brie, on the other hand, has a lot of issues. She was struggling mentally, emotionally and physically. She does things other people won’t understand but to her, it’s her way of releasing her insecurities, fears, and doubts.
Both of them don’t have a complete and normal family. Jake’s mother left him while Brie’s father died. They turn to each other for comfort and assurance.
I guess I’m waiting to read the part where Brie realized that she needs to love herself and know her worth, to move on from the things that hurt her and to realize how important she is and how she is loved.
www.heykymmie.com
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from the author and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest book review.
I could say, Jake is such a sweetheart. He’s a loving brother to Teagan and a caring friend to Ari. He’s talented – a football quarterback and plays in a band, Sublime Karma. He may have been a jerk but he doesn’t tolerate bitchy girls such as his ex-girlfriend, Sarah and her minions.
Brie, on the other hand, has a lot of issues. She was struggling mentally, emotionally and physically. She does things other people won’t understand but to her, it’s her way of releasing her insecurities, fears, and doubts.
Both of them don’t have a complete and normal family. Jake’s mother left him while Brie’s father died. They turn to each other for comfort and assurance.
I guess I’m waiting to read the part where Brie realized that she needs to love herself and know her worth, to move on from the things that hurt her and to realize how important she is and how she is loved.
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