To the Green-eyed Lovebird:
We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House.
You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more.
We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other.
Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding…
I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello.
After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half?
REVIEW: 5 STARS
"The past doesn't belong to us anymore, and the future is just a fantasy, never guaranteed. But the present is ours to own."
Previously read in August 2015, transferred to my new blog.
Easily stated: this was a beautiful read. This was my first read of Renee's and I will say that I really enjoyed the way her story unfolded. One thing I immediately picked up on was the way that the story was told and how the chapter breaks were named.....if you are a music lover or have ever been in an orchestra, you will pick up on it immediately. I just smiled while reading that part. Beautiful....and so neat!!
This story is a wonderful second chance romance that showed purpose and love behind every action and reaction. From when they first met, to the memories they made with each other...we got to know Matt and Grace as individuals, but as a couple too. Sometimes it's just hard to capture that meaningfulness behind actions, but the way this story was written, it embraced all the different emotions you have and run through when a second chance presents itself. It just made me feel the passion and the love that these two held for each other, but also the pain and the anguish they lived through while trying to come to terms with this 'second chance' they're given.
The story could have been easy. Reconnect and move on, right? Life is good, we found each other. Right? No. That wouldn't have had any depth....and that is where I think this story excelled. It let us fall in love with Matt and Grace, and then they were separated and life happened. But, my goodness, the reconnection was beautiful and lyrical and the love and passion was there again.....and I loved it. My gosh, I couldn't soak it up enough. The love poured off the pages....the intensity and the desire was palpable. Magical.
However, with the happy comes the sad. The heart-breaking, soul-crushing sadness and grief. I wanted to cry for Matt....but I wanted to hug Grace. The turmoil these two went through while being separated from each other is a whole story on it's own!! Grace was so strong....I loved the way she was portrayed. She was so quirky and marched to the beat of her own drum. She just went with the flow and never needed anyone's approval. I loved that most about her. Her personality was so perfect....and Matt? Matt was the epitome of the first love you never forget....and I know I wouldn't want to! He was caring and sweet, he was strong and resilient, and he was intense and a pure gentleman. I loved him!
I will highly recommend this story to anyone that wants a memorable read with heartfelt emotions. The book was slow in the very beginning and I was really worried, but the minute I got into it, it picked up and the story ran away. Beautifully, I might add!! I am very anxious to read some more of her books as they come highly recommended by my BlogSister!!!
Previously read in August 2015, transferred to my new blog.
Easily stated: this was a beautiful read. This was my first read of Renee's and I will say that I really enjoyed the way her story unfolded. One thing I immediately picked up on was the way that the story was told and how the chapter breaks were named.....if you are a music lover or have ever been in an orchestra, you will pick up on it immediately. I just smiled while reading that part. Beautiful....and so neat!!
This story is a wonderful second chance romance that showed purpose and love behind every action and reaction. From when they first met, to the memories they made with each other...we got to know Matt and Grace as individuals, but as a couple too. Sometimes it's just hard to capture that meaningfulness behind actions, but the way this story was written, it embraced all the different emotions you have and run through when a second chance presents itself. It just made me feel the passion and the love that these two held for each other, but also the pain and the anguish they lived through while trying to come to terms with this 'second chance' they're given.
The story could have been easy. Reconnect and move on, right? Life is good, we found each other. Right? No. That wouldn't have had any depth....and that is where I think this story excelled. It let us fall in love with Matt and Grace, and then they were separated and life happened. But, my goodness, the reconnection was beautiful and lyrical and the love and passion was there again.....and I loved it. My gosh, I couldn't soak it up enough. The love poured off the pages....the intensity and the desire was palpable. Magical.
However, with the happy comes the sad. The heart-breaking, soul-crushing sadness and grief. I wanted to cry for Matt....but I wanted to hug Grace. The turmoil these two went through while being separated from each other is a whole story on it's own!! Grace was so strong....I loved the way she was portrayed. She was so quirky and marched to the beat of her own drum. She just went with the flow and never needed anyone's approval. I loved that most about her. Her personality was so perfect....and Matt? Matt was the epitome of the first love you never forget....and I know I wouldn't want to! He was caring and sweet, he was strong and resilient, and he was intense and a pure gentleman. I loved him!
I will highly recommend this story to anyone that wants a memorable read with heartfelt emotions. The book was slow in the very beginning and I was really worried, but the minute I got into it, it picked up and the story ran away. Beautifully, I might add!! I am very anxious to read some more of her books as they come highly recommended by my BlogSister!!!
"And in that moment, you realize how little control you have over your own destiny..."
~BEE
~MEET RENEE CARLINO~
Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of contemporary women's novels and new adult fiction. Her books have been featured in national publications, including USA TODAY, Huffington Post, Latina magazine, and Publisher's Weekly. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she's not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate. Learn more at www.reneecarlino.com
~CONNECT WITH RENEE~
ARC REVIEW
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