Monday, May 7, 2012

Streamline by Jennifer Lane ~ Tour Stop + GIVEAWAY



Source:  Received eBook in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Official book description:

Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He’s captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother’s crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father’s abuse, battered and alone.

Leo’s girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida’s top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there’s an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number-one supporter--her father--is in prison for murder.

Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything’s on the line . . . streamline.

 

My summary:  Leo is the captain of the swim team in his senior year of high school.  He has a gorgeous girlfriend, Aubrey, who loves him as much as he loves her.  State swim titles are within their reach.  College is just a few months off and they can't wait.  Leo can't wait to get away from the secret that threatens him daily.   But the secret refuses to stay hidden...hidden from Aubrey...hidden from his coach....hidden from the military.  As his life falls out of control, Leo must figure out how to live with the consequences of choices he didn't make but which have molded him into who he is.  At the same time, Aubrey must figure out how to live her life without her father who is convicted of murder and serving a life sentence in a military prison.  She is totally devoted to Leo but is shocked by the truths that trickle out.  Will their love be enough to hold their lives together as things spiral out of control?

My thoughts:




4 stars - Emotionally charged & incredibly compelling

So lets be honest here. I cried a lot through this book.  Totally taken with Leo, I was emotionally torn to pieces at the abuse this young man endured.   I wondered if it was wrong to want his abuser to die off in the story.  I cringed.  I screamed.  I DMed someone else who had just finished the book to talk about it with.  I couldn't put it down but, at times, I was afraid to read another word. 

I saw this happening around me.  Though I knew it was fiction, I'm afraid it's all too real for some young people.  As a teacher, I have seen students who are abused.  I am trained to notice how they act.  I saw this happening around me.  It became very real to me. 

I love Leo.  All my mother instincts were on high alert and I wanted to pull him out of the pages and protect him.  I saw the flaws in the system that failed to protect Leo and fail so many children for real. 

Jennifer does an amazing job of creating an atmosphere that's completely true.  From the swim team slang to the military atmosphere, this book rang true.  The struggles that Leo had dealing with his abuser were right on.  He loved this man but he was terrified of him.  He wanted to make him proud and he wanted to be perfect to avoid the consequences of even small mistakes.  Never giving himself even one little break, Leo was an incredible young man just trying to survive and do the right thing.  He is a fabulous character.

I loved the TWO skinny dipping scenes, the CS names, the devotion between Leo and Aubrey, and the mystery of the story that slowly unfolded.

I struggled with a couple of little detail and I really think that this book should have been two.  It's almost 500 pages and the story shifts quite obviously at about the mid-point.  I wish it had been two books.

This is truly an incredible read but make sure you know what you are getting into.  Leo's story is not to missed.  


*** Giveaway ***

The author, Jennifer Lane, is giving away a $25 Gift card as part of this tour.  To enter GO HERE.

Thanks to Omnific, I have an eBook copy of Streamline to giveaway.  If you would like to enter to win it, please fill out the rafflecopter below.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 comments:

  1. Thank you for that awesome review, Valerie! :) I'm glad Leo and Audrey's story touched you, and I appreciate you being part of the tour.

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  2. I'm really looking forward to reading this book! I really like stories that can make you feel for the characters. :)

    P.S. Is it me or the link to "Like" Jennifer is broken? I keep getting "Could not retrieve id for the specified page. Please verify correct href was passed in." whenever I try to click it.

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    1. You are right about the "like" Jennifer button. I took it off for now and will try and figure out why it isn't working. Thanks for the heads up.

      Valerie
      StuckInBooks.com

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  3. Great review. This sounds like a really emotional read. It's definitely something I would have to be in the right frame of mind for, but I think I would like it.

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  4. This is such a fab review! I can't wait to read it! Also the cover is gorgeous! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  5. Thanks for the great review Valerie! I hadn't heard of this one, but I'll definitely check it out now.

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  6. Thanks for the review of this book! Jennifer is an excellent author, and while this book is a change in direction for her, it will be a worthwhile read.

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  7. I really love your review! It's very great story, i would love to read it my self.
    Thank you for sharing your review, Valerie ^^

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  8. I can't wait to read Streamline.

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  9. Great review :) The book sounds great.

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  10. Thanks for the international giveaway!!

    Rafflecopter name - Rosemarie D

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