Source: Library
Pages: 256
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: April 16th 2009
Series: Standalone
Verdict: Borrow
Summary: Alex thought she'd be spending the summer focused on her family's rafting business, burying the memories of her father's death last year, and leaving behind all the messes she made in its wake.
But when Sean returns to town, she is forced to reckon with her mixed-up crushy feelings for him - more powerful than ever before. It takes another tragedy to make Alex realize Sean has loved her, and forgiven her, all along.
Review: I seem to be making a habit of picking up books that take me on emotional roller coasters. Heartbreak River is literally heartbreak river. No joke. It is what it is, and that's what it is. Flow of emotions, squeezing of the heart, laughter, love, anger, sadness, angst, happiness, shock, honesty—heartbreak river. I basically became a person with a gazillion emotions. I never knew that I could feel so much in a few hours. But oh, I definitely can.
I don't think the summary really does the book justice. To me, it was deeper than what I had been expecting. Going in, I was expecting the typical teenage romance story, but that's not what I got. Instead, I got tragedy, insecurities, conflict, recklessness, dysfunction, and so much more. Even though it wasn't what I thought I was getting, what I got was no disappointment, that's for sure.
I enjoyed the dynamics that Alex had with everybody. Of course, her complicated relationship with Sean was by far the most interesting. I kept wondering what happened the previous summer, what was going to happen, and how everything would unravel. And wow, what I discovered, well, it was great. The duo of Alex and Sean is definitely not one to be messed with. They had a past, they have a present, and the future? Well, that's what's to be discovered by reading this book.
Everything was great about this book, but I did have one slight problem. I didn't really like what the tragedy was at the end. It seemed like it was sort of randomly thrown in, and I just didn't get why it had to unfold the way it did. But even with that minor break in flow, this book was the definition of smooth.
Heartbreak River is a book that's definitely going to appeal to all the emotions that exist. There's a little bit of everything, and that's what makes it so great. Sure, it had some bumps along the way, but in the end, it kept flowing, just like a river. This is a story that you won't want to skip.
I don't think the summary really does the book justice. To me, it was deeper than what I had been expecting. Going in, I was expecting the typical teenage romance story, but that's not what I got. Instead, I got tragedy, insecurities, conflict, recklessness, dysfunction, and so much more. Even though it wasn't what I thought I was getting, what I got was no disappointment, that's for sure.
I enjoyed the dynamics that Alex had with everybody. Of course, her complicated relationship with Sean was by far the most interesting. I kept wondering what happened the previous summer, what was going to happen, and how everything would unravel. And wow, what I discovered, well, it was great. The duo of Alex and Sean is definitely not one to be messed with. They had a past, they have a present, and the future? Well, that's what's to be discovered by reading this book.
Everything was great about this book, but I did have one slight problem. I didn't really like what the tragedy was at the end. It seemed like it was sort of randomly thrown in, and I just didn't get why it had to unfold the way it did. But even with that minor break in flow, this book was the definition of smooth.
Heartbreak River is a book that's definitely going to appeal to all the emotions that exist. There's a little bit of everything, and that's what makes it so great. Sure, it had some bumps along the way, but in the end, it kept flowing, just like a river. This is a story that you won't want to skip.
Really enjoyed
★★★★☆
Oooo, I've never seen this one before, Grace! Given the title, I would expect a lot of heartbreak? I don't read much contemporary (this week was a huge anomaly), but I like to give the emotional books a chance sometimes. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteFabulous review, Grace!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Hey Alyssa, thank you! Yes, there is definitely a lot of heartbreak! This book was a pleasant surprise because I hadn't thought it would get so deep and emotional!
Delete-Grace :)