Review: The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby

The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby

Published: August 1, 2017

Publisher: HarperTeen

Format: via Edelweiss

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

When Olivia awakes in a hospital bed following a car accident that almost took her life, she can’t remember the details about how she got there. She figures the fog is just a symptom of being in a week-long coma, but as time goes on, she realizes she’s lost more than just the last several days of her life—she’s lost her memory of the last four years. Gone is any recollection of starting or graduating high school; the prom; or her steady boyfriend Matt. Trying to figure out who she is feels impossible when everyone keeps telling her who she was.

As Liv tries to block out what her family and friends say about who she used to be, the one person she hasn’t heard enough from is Walker, the guy who saved her the night her car was knocked off that bridge into the bay below. Walker is the hardened boy who’s been keeping his distance—and the only person Olivia inexplicably feels herself with. With her feelings growing for Walker, tensions rising with Matt, and secrets she can’t help but feel are being kept from her, Olivia must find her place in a life she doesn’t remember living.

My Thoughts

The Secret History of Us follows Olivia as she wakes up from a coma after a terrible car accident. She finds out she doesn’t remember the last four years of her life. When she finally goes home she not only has to try and get over her injuries she’s also trying to find out who exactly she is. Her family and friends including a boyfriend she doesn’t remember let alone has feelings for, try and tell her how she was before but nothing feels right until a boy named Walker enters the picture. Walker not only saved Olivia she feels that there is something more there, she just has to piece everything together to try and find out what exactly that is. She feels this connection to him that she can't explain but doesn’t want to rush into anything. Olivia must find a way to live in a world she doesn’t remember.

I really enjoyed this novel it’s to date my favorite Jessi Kirby read. I love the storyline and I loved how Olivia stood up for herself and didn’t just buy into everything people were telling her. She didn’t just fall back into the life or way they told her she lived and was. She knew she wanted to know what happened but also knew she couldn’t just do and be the person they wanted her to be, she needed to find a place that was comfortable for her in the now.

This is a wonderfully written novel about second chances and standing up for yourself. It’s all about finding your true self even if it meant letting go of who you were before. While there is a dash of romance this read wasn’t all about that, it was about loving and healing yourself and sometimes that has to happen before you can focus on anyone or anything else.

Review: Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Published: April 21, 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Format: Edelweiss

Challenges: 2015 NG/EW

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake.

My Thoughts

In this novel all the story is laid out for you from the start. We know Quinn is trying to recover after the loss of her boyfriend Trent and that she has been trying to contact those who received his organs. All have contacted her expect one, the one who has his heart. She then learns that person in Colton and she sets out to at least see who he is since he doesn’t want to meet those in Trent’s life.

While this story could’ve been a loss since we know just about everything it isn’t by far! Although we know the main plot what we experience is...excuse the pun…the heart of the story. We learn what happened and we get to experience Quinn coming to terms with her loss, and maybe just maybe learning and wanting to love…again. And while all things don’t go according to plan for instance, falling for Colton and most importantly starting their whole friendship off with lies. But can both of them move on after everything is revealed? Or is all this just too much?

Things We Know by Heart is a wonderful written tale that will make you realize what is important in life and also shows us to love and live life to the fullest. Sometimes we are blessed to find that one love that we all dream of and if we are really lucky we find that again someday. Although this tale could have been tragic and sad it focuses on the healing power that is love.

Review: Golden by Jessi Kirby

Golden by Jessi Kirby
Expected Publication: May 14, 2013
Publication: Simon & Schuster BYR
Format: ARC E-Copy provided by Edelweiss
Rating: 5/5

Summary via Goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.
Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

My Thoughts

Fate. It’s a wonderful thing. There are those who believe it in and those who don’t. I’m proud to say I whole heartedly believe in it. I think that is why I love and adore this book so. It’s just a wonderfully written book about true love, fate and destiny.

I believe all things happen for a reason and this storyline definitely deals with that. I enjoy how Parker’s journey of self-discovery mirrors that of Julianna’s. How while searching and finding out the truth behind Julianna’s life through her journal she starts to believe in herself more than ever before. I also enjoy the how Parker, Kat and Trevor play off each other.

This is my first time experiencing the work of Jessi Kirby. Simply put I think she’s AMAZING! She has a way with words that blows me away. Needless to say I will go back and be reading all her past works.

In the end this is one story that will make you believe. Maybe love and destiny isn’t something to be taken lightly, that it’s more powerful that one could possibly think. Some things in life are just simply meant to be and no matter how one can try and stop it, some things just can’t be stopped or explained. Do yourself a favor and pick this up, it’s simply a beautiful read.