Synopsis
Before, Brynn had a
group of best friends, a loving boyfriend, a growing talent for pottery.
She had a life. And after…she had none.
When Brynn lost the boyfriend who never loved her, the friends who feel she betrayed their trust, and the new life just beginning to grow inside her, she believes her future is as empty as her body. But then Christian, the boy next door, starts coming around. Playing his guitar and pushing her to create art once more. She meets some new friends at the local community center, plus even gets her dad to look her in the eye again…sort of.
But can Brynn open up her heart to truly find her life’s own beauty, when living for the after means letting go of the before?
When Brynn lost the boyfriend who never loved her, the friends who feel she betrayed their trust, and the new life just beginning to grow inside her, she believes her future is as empty as her body. But then Christian, the boy next door, starts coming around. Playing his guitar and pushing her to create art once more. She meets some new friends at the local community center, plus even gets her dad to look her in the eye again…sort of.
But can Brynn open up her heart to truly find her life’s own beauty, when living for the after means letting go of the before?
- Goodreads.com
My Review
I received an eARC of this book on a read-to-review basis for an honest review. Many thanks to Entangled Publishing.
When I first started reading this book, all I could think was “This book is just the same old rehashed drama” and to be honest the book is nothing new in the contemporary genre. It’s not going to blow your socks off in a whirlwind of new and completely unique ideas, but that is just what I’ve learnt to expect with contemporary reads these days. However what makes a great contemporary for me are the characters. Their presence, their actions, their effect on the main character and most importantly their growth and development and Nyrae Dawn hit the nail on the head in respect to this.
While I did not always find myself empathizing with the main character, mostly at the start where her weak and ‘sorry for myself’ behavior sent me into a frustrated rage. I honestly grew to respect her and by the end of the book found myself rooting for her. After going through some pretty emotionally hard times, including the death of her mother, a nasty break-up, the loss of her unborn child, and being snubbed by all her friends. Brynn manages to come out in the end a stronger and more capable person.
Obviously none of this great personal growth would have been possible without some pretty kick-ass friends. Firstly we have Emery, who Brynn meets at the community center which she is forced to go to after school by her school councilor. Emery is in a similar situation as Brynn was herself, sixteen and pregnant, and through this they share a bond and slowly learn to confide in one another. Then there’s Christian the sweet boy next door whose had to deal with his own loss and pain in the past and becomes a pillar of strength for Brynn, helping her to move on with her life. And lastly there’s my favorite, Brenda, Christians mum who is so open and lovely, treating Brynn with such compassion, as if she were her own.
Overall, this book is a good read. It deals with some emotional issues, and really focuses on how the main character deals and grows from them.
When I first started reading this book, all I could think was “This book is just the same old rehashed drama” and to be honest the book is nothing new in the contemporary genre. It’s not going to blow your socks off in a whirlwind of new and completely unique ideas, but that is just what I’ve learnt to expect with contemporary reads these days. However what makes a great contemporary for me are the characters. Their presence, their actions, their effect on the main character and most importantly their growth and development and Nyrae Dawn hit the nail on the head in respect to this.
While I did not always find myself empathizing with the main character, mostly at the start where her weak and ‘sorry for myself’ behavior sent me into a frustrated rage. I honestly grew to respect her and by the end of the book found myself rooting for her. After going through some pretty emotionally hard times, including the death of her mother, a nasty break-up, the loss of her unborn child, and being snubbed by all her friends. Brynn manages to come out in the end a stronger and more capable person.
Obviously none of this great personal growth would have been possible without some pretty kick-ass friends. Firstly we have Emery, who Brynn meets at the community center which she is forced to go to after school by her school councilor. Emery is in a similar situation as Brynn was herself, sixteen and pregnant, and through this they share a bond and slowly learn to confide in one another. Then there’s Christian the sweet boy next door whose had to deal with his own loss and pain in the past and becomes a pillar of strength for Brynn, helping her to move on with her life. And lastly there’s my favorite, Brenda, Christians mum who is so open and lovely, treating Brynn with such compassion, as if she were her own.
Overall, this book is a good read. It deals with some emotional issues, and really focuses on how the main character deals and grows from them.
Things I loved about the book:
- The supporting characters were easily likeable and unique. They added to the dynamic of the story and weren't just filler ins.
- There was a hint of romance, but it didn't feel like it dominated the story.
- The main character grew and developed as a person.
Things I didn't so much like about the book:
- The general plot of pregnant teen is pretty overdone.
My rating: 3/5
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