The Sweet Gum Tree in Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books

Oct 30, 2011 Say rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, february-2012

OMG!!! I TOTALLY TRULY ABSOLUTELY ADORE AND FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK

This book made me cry, it made me laugh, it made me fall in love, it broke my heart and most of all it made me believe in destiny and soulmates. This is definitely a MUST read! I would have to say this is one of the best books ever written of all time!

4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2012 Rachmi rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook

3.5 stars

The Sweet Gum Tree was my first Allred’s book. I really enjoyed it. There are a lot of things I like from this book.

I love the way she wrote the story. It was beautifully written. The writing style made me feels what the characters feel and it made the story connected with me. I can feel the emotion and see the place and the things that describe in the story.

The gurgle of the river was soothing, almost hypnotic. The first rays of light broke through the fog, turning dew-drenched spide 3.5 stars

The Sweet Gum Tree was my first Allred’s book. I really enjoyed it. There are a lot of things I like from this book.

I love the way she wrote the story. It was beautifully written. The writing style made me feels what the characters feel and it made the story connected with me. I can feel the emotion and see the place and the things that describe in the story.

The gurgle of the river was soothing, almost hypnotic. The first rays of light broke through the fog, turning dew-drenched spider webs into jeweled delicacies of extraordinary beauty. Across the river, a doe stepped hesitantly to the water, a half-grown fawn by her side.

She froze when she saw me, head high, long ears flicking in my direction. For a moment we stared at each other, but when I didn’t move she decided I wasn’t a threat.

Lowering her head to the water, she drank while a red fox squirrel scolded from a tree.
Water dripped from her muzzle when she lifted her head again, and she kept an eye on me as the fawn, at some silent signal, took his turn at the river. Then they both vanished into the woods like ghosts, leaving me to wonder if I’d dreamed them.

When I read description like that, it’s like I’m the one who saw the doe from cabin’s backyard. And who can deny the emotion like this:

I locked the door behind them and returned to my office, the rest of the store dark around me. Slowly, I sank onto my chair and buried my face in my hands. Time crawled by as I sat there, going over every detail of what I’d heard. And with every tick of the clock, my rage grew.

I love the characters, all of them, including supporting characters. All of them have their own problems, they made mistakes and struggles with their choice of their life. So basically, the characters are just like me. They are all vivid and real. I especially love the main characters, just because they love reading. I love people who love reading. In fact, one of my favorite quotes from this book is about reading.

Everyone in my family read. Books were as necessary to us as food or sleep. I don’t know how old I was when I started reading, but I know my mother accidentally discovered my talent when I was four. She had bought me a new fairy tale, promising to read it to me that night when I went to bed. Unwilling to wait that long, I was reading it aloud to my dolls when she came into the room. From the amount of excitement this feat generated, you’d have thought I’d found the cure for cancer. I couldn’t imagine anyone who thought reading was a waste of time

So it isn’t hard to love Alix French from chapter one.

Actually I give this book 3.5 stars, rounded it 4 because I enjoyed it and I like the writing. One thing that I didn't quite enjoy is the story. It was quite predictable to me. Although there's some twist with the characters, from beginning of the story I can guess what will happen to them, especially with Alix and Nick.

Thanks to Annie who introduced me to Allred. Since this book is a nice first impression from Allred’s book, I’ll definitely read her other books.
...more

Like · see review

Jun 29, 2013 Erica Alyson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favorite-books, new-adult

This is one of the best books I have read. It is truly amazing. It is heart wrenching, emotional, sweet, passionate, and just amazing.

From the beginning of the book I loved Alix. I love her spirit, her character, her as a whole. Watching her go from childhood to adulthood was a treasure and joy to watch. Nick was amazing as well, I wish he kept her in the loop more than he did but I get it. This story just melted my heart and will be with me for time to come.

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 17, 2013 Rashida rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013

I was hovering between 4 & 5 stars and I think the deciding factor was in the end I still felt incomplete. The book was amazing and the story was emotional. My heart was vested and I felt the full effects of caring for Nick and Alix. Yes they had an HEA but selfishly I wanted more. Most of my GR Friends have read this and I must agree this book was........AMAZING!!!

Like · see review

Oct 28, 2014 Sharon rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014-read, 2020-read

Typically I have a great dislike for plots that include misunderstandings. The last half of the book had quite a bit of misunderstandings that led to the main characters being apart longer than necessary, and they were a bit contrived (really characters - speak your mind!) - so I didn't like that. BUT, I will admit that I loved the story, AND, The Sweet Gum Tree kept me up way past my bedtime to read how things would turn out. All in all, it was a very entertaining read! ...more

Like · see review

Jan 05, 2013 Mari rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: tear-jerker, book-bf-material, im-sad-it-ended, contemporary, starcrossed-lovers, heartbreaking, farm-country, over-the-years

review coming soon, too tired right now

Like · see review

Feb 10, 2012 Jenny rated it it was amazing

Shelves: simply-great

oh, WOW!
When I'm thinking about this book, I can not even call it a story, this word doesn't feel right, ... it's a tale. Beautiful, heartbreaking tale.
Great read!
Highly recommend it. ...more

Like · see review