Becoming Calder in Turning Pages At Midnight

Sep 30, 2014 Fiona rated it it was amazing

Shelves: alpha-male, favorites, na-ya

'Becoming Calder' is a captivating story that kept me emotionally engaged & flipping 'virtual' pages until the very end. I thought I knew what I was getting into after reading the blurb. I've read several books by this author in the past and most if not all have made it into my favorites list with consistent high ratings. This book exceeded all my expectations! The blurb did not prepare me for the onslaught of emotions this book inspired.

It started out a little slow but I got hooked early (about 'Becoming Calder' is a captivating story that kept me emotionally engaged & flipping 'virtual' pages until the very end. I thought I knew what I was getting into after reading the blurb. I've read several books by this author in the past and most if not all have made it into my favorites list with consistent high ratings. This book exceeded all my expectations! The blurb did not prepare me for the onslaught of emotions this book inspired.

It started out a little slow but I got hooked early (about 20% in) and by 50% I couldn't put it down! By the time I got to those last couple of chapters I was either reading with a gobsmacked look on my face or through a film of tears and took this book from 4/4.5 stars to a 5 star read. It was an emotional roller coaster I didn't even want to get off.

What surprised me the most though, that given their young age, the physical & emotional intensity of their romance was so strong.

“I'm going to take it slow this time. We're going to burn every stroke, every touch, and every kiss into our skin so when we're back together, it will only then just be cooling. While we're apart, we'll still be keeping each other warm." He smiled against my mouth and I breathed out a laugh.”

I loved both MCs, I thought each were strong as individuals & stronger as a couple. The romance was well paced, there was enough sexual tension & heat to keep me interested.

I understood the struggle Calder went through regarding leaving his family and the predictable monotony of his life once he realized the only (realistic) way he could claim Eden was to leave with her. His journey to self discovery as a young boy of 10 to a young man of 20. The physical changes, his sexual awareness & the physiological effects bought about by an uncontrollable attraction.

Eden struggled with a predestined future set out for an obedient wife who saves her people, a responsibility thrust upon her at a young age. I understood her singleminded focus and obsession with Calder from age 12-16, as a friend then as a crush because she was kept so oblivious and uneducated. The strength and resilience she found in that love when she had been kept isolated for most of her young life, I FELT that.

“I don't want to sacrifice anymore. I've had enough sacrifice for three lifetimes. I'm ready to live.”

Basically Ms Sheridan nailed character building and accompanied with her awesome style of writing, this was a recipe for a 5star read. This book was character driven with a dash of suspence I'm not sure if I can elaborate more on the plot without giving away the whole book but I do know that I love it enough to recommend you buy this book today. It's well worth the investment. Just make sure you buy the second book Finding Eden along with it because this book ends in a major cliffhanger. Awesome bonus, both this book & the sequel Finding Eden were released on the same day so no agonizing waiting period. ...more

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May 14, 2014 V rated it it was amazing

Shelves: erotic-romance, love-drama, young-college-romance

5 amazing stars!

That has to be the most intense ending to a book I've read in a long time! In fact, im going to make this review short and sweet to i can get onto book 2 immediately.

I feel a little stupid once i realised what the plot to this book was. When i first added this to my tbr list awhile ago, i thought it was going to be some sort of a dystopian-kinda book. Then when i read the synopsis properly, i thought, oh....it's about some homeless people. Then, when i got about 6% into the story ...more

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Aug 01, 2014 Michelle marked it as up-next

Shelves: arc, contemporary-romance, 2014, romance

ARC provided by author in exchange of honest review

EEEEP!!! so excited to start this book.

~Full Review to Come

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Oct 05, 2014 Jessica rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 09, 2014 Suzanne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This story was so powerful and compelling it left its footprints all over my heart. It's a story of young love, so innocent and uncorrupted, so beautifully pure and hopeful while surrounded by the restrictions of a religious cult. Eden is destined to wed the cult prophet and Calder loves her with all he has. It becomes a riveting, gut wrenching, heart stopping journey.
I read a lot, but in truth, only a few characters and stories stay with me the way this one will. Currently, I am reading the sec ...more

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Oct 05, 2014 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

This is not a typical love story. It’s a story of finding your own way, discovering truths, and the journey we lead when fate deals us a path less traveled. There are revelations, obsessions, and the path of innocence. There is heartbreak and grittiness. Yet - it’s the love that shines through. Not just any love….but one for the ages.

Life in Acadia was far from ordinary. This sheltered community has shunned modern conveniences of the world. Focusing on preparing for the upcoming flood that woul This is not a typical love story. It’s a story of finding your own way, discovering truths, and the journey we lead when fate deals us a path less traveled. There are revelations, obsessions, and the path of innocence. There is heartbreak and grittiness. Yet - it’s the love that shines through. Not just any love….but one for the ages.

Life in Acadia was far from ordinary. This sheltered community has shunned modern conveniences of the world. Focusing on preparing for the upcoming flood that would lead the residents into a world of eternal life. Members of Acadia follow the teachings of their prophet - Hector. While families struggle to live from the land, Hector lives his life with all that modern technology has to offer.

Calder and his family live in the Acadian community. Each family works hard to grow what they need from the land. They are taught that all of their hard work will pay off when they reach Elysium. This is the only life Calder has ever known. While preparing for the great flood, the community was introduced to Eden. This young girl was introduced as the key to their salvation in paradise. She would one day become their ‘mother’ and Hector’s wife….at the age of eighteen.

Despite their predestined lives, Calder and Eden began to seek out the other. Both sharing some of the pleasures of childhood together. Day by day their connection grew stronger. Each day the countdown towards their destiny inched closer. Choices will be made….decisions to follow their hearts or live the life that is playing out before them. One thing is certain….whatever the choice, Calder and Eden will make their choice together.

Wow!! What an emotional story. Calder and Eden have everything working against them. The isolation of their lives strengthens the bond they share. Their story is a journey of trust, hardship, and uncertainty. A story that grabs your heart and squeezes tight.

This story is unique…one you must read to discover the depth of love. A journey that will leave you reeling from the intensity. A story that will leave you understanding the beauty of something simple… Morning Glory.
...more

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Sep 26, 2014 Andrea rated it it was amazing

Sometimes a book comes to you when you need it most. For me, that was Becoming Calder (and Finding Eden). Everything about Calder left me wanting more. His undeniable strength, his commitment, his heart and his drive. Calder's story was both sad and inspiring. I loved the underlying messages, the banter between Calder and Xander and the beautiful love of Calder and Eden. ...more

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