Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Spill Over by Jolene Perry ~ Review & GIVEAWAY

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Source: Purchased eBook copy

My Summary:

His mom is leaving for Africa for work and he's being left with his dad to live on a boat for three months? Really? He's a New York guy, this cannot be happening. But it is happening and Antony can't talk his mom out of it.  So he finds himself living on a boat off the shores of Seattle, doing his home schooling work with the girl 5 boats down.  That part might have been okay with her killer legs and all except she has made it clear there is only friendship in store for them.  But when his life falls completely apart, she's the only one that can begin to hold him together.  That is until his New York life catches up with him.  Then who will hold him together? 

My Thoughts:




5 stars - An incredibly touching story of love, loss and life.

The very fabulous Nyrae Dawn had this book on her blog last week and it sounded so good that I grabbed it.  Then I found out that Autumn from The Autumn Review had done the same thing.  She suggested a read-a-long and I was all over that!  So this last night we read together.  AND we DMed a lot! I so love doing that!  What a great book to share with someone.  Needless to say, we both finished the book that night - it was that good! And we both loved it.

The premise for this story is excellent.  I loved that it dealt with some opposites like NY city vrs west coast sea side, formal vrs casual, experienced vrs well not, strong relationship with mom vrs not so much with dad, and I could go on and on.  This really helps set up a good place for characters to learn and grow.  While Antony was very comfortable with his NY life, he discovered there was more than he thought in Seattle and he discovers that there's more to a relationship then falling into bed.  He's a good guy to begin with but he just needs to figure out relationships.

I've never read a book about anyone living on a boat and I was very interested in that.  Totally fresh approach to going to live with dear absent dad.

Oh and I so love that Antony is a writer.  He has some of the best lines about describing what it's like to write.  Check these out.

"I sit on a large driftwood tree.  The boy's voice is suddenly in my head so clearly that I have to get it down."


"People move by.  Dogs run in and out of the waves.  It's like none of it's happening.  It's all outside of the world of heat, oppression, and poverty -- the world I'm writing.  A life I've never lived, but the desperate, aching feeling in my chest pushes me further.  Tell me more of his story."

"Minutes, hours...time doesn't exist when I'm writing.  Just my thoughts, my fingers working as fast and as hard as they can to get the words down."  

I LOVED how his writing was both how he pushed his pain away and how he deals with his pain.  It seemed real to me.  

As for the characters, they were strong and distinct.  Antony was confident and very male.  Amber is relaxed but she likes Antony so much that is scares her.  They are both so cute.  I wanted to cuddle Antony and hug Amber.  And tears! Yes, there were real tears running down my face during this book.  Luckily I had Autumn there to talk to while I read.

The secondary characters where also fabulous!  I loved how Antony's dad and Amber's mom are like this thing without being a thing.  So sweet.  Made that little sailing trip to Canada a little interesting.  Heehee.

The story was so beautiful.  I wish I could just sit and tell you about the story and how parts of it tore me up and other parts just made me want to cuddle them more.  Of course I can't cause that would spoil it for you but just know that Anthony got a lot of #CuddlesByVal during the book.  (New hashtag that Autumn came up with that I will now be uisng frequently!)  And Amber- I so wanted to put my arm around her and talk to her about not being afraid to take a chance on Antony.  They really healed each other - completed each other - all that mushy stuff.

The ending was perfect.  I loved it.

So have you heard enough fangirling yet?? This was my first Jolene Perry book but it won't be my last!!

Here's a great quote that I so loved:

"Because there's so much to him.  As shallow as he wants us all to think he is, he's not.  He thinks deeply, and he feels deeply.  One day he won't be embarrassed about that anymore."
Okay well, you know I love this book and I NEED to share it with you so I'm giving some away.  Check below for the deets!


*** GIVEAWAY ***

This book is TOO good not to share so I'm giving away 5 kindle copies of it!  Interested?  You so should be!  Follow StuckInBooks and fill out the rafflecopter below.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you Jolene Perry for adding this additional giveaway.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

34 comments:

  1. Always friends. Thanks for the giveaway! :D

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  2. Family and friends. :)

    Thanks for having this giveaway!

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  3. SUCH A FANTASTIC BOOK! I'm so glad we got to read it together. :) That quote you picked was such a great part in the book. Loved the ending so much. Thanks for reading it with me! I love my #CuddlesByVal ;)

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    1. It was so fun reading it together and I'm all about the #CuddlesByVal !!!!! Thanks pal ;)

      Valerie

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  4. This sounds really great!! That's so fun that you and Autumn read it together. Awesome review!

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  5. My friends definitely help me!

    I just added this book to my TBR earlier this morning after seeing it on Nyrae's blog. This was so cool to read your great review and thanks for the giveaway!

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  6. My family! Especially my mom lend love and support! <3 Thanks for the giveaway! <3

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  7. Reading helps me unwind. Work is stressful and reading and blogging is my "me" time. I can't wait to read this book. The cover is different than the one I saw on Nyrae's website but I still like it. I read one book where they lived off a boat and it made me want a vacation so bad! Awesome review!

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  8. Great giveaway! I've read Jolene's "Night Sky" and "Knee Deep" and loved them both, so I'd LOVE to read this one too!! :)

    When I'm upset I've noticed I tend to start writing. It's weird, but what I do. And then of course reading a great contemporary is always there for me too! :)

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  9. My family are always there for me. :)

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  10. I would have to say my spouse and my faith are what get me through hard times in my life.

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  11. Family and friends are always the best!

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  12. WOW. Look at you go. You're awesome. How about I add a paperback ARC to the pile of prizes here??

    Thanks SO much!
    Also - your blurb is way better than mine, lol.
    Nicely done.

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    1. Thank you so much. I have added the prize to the pile.

      I don't know about the blurb thing - I like both. I love writing them. Helps me focus my thoughts for the book. But thank you.

      Valerie

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  13. This is Just sOOOOOOOOOOOO
    T_T
    I want this book now!!1
    NOW
    and I mean NOW!!!!!
    Girl I have to say...
    Before, I only read reviews from 2 specific people, because I knew I could trust on their opinion and stuff and also they were the only ones who could convince me to covet, or not, a book... then I went only to one person... but now... after constantly stalking you and reading YOUR reviews... I have to say...

    T___________T

    Now YOU make me want books I wouldn't even look at before!!! I mean I'm a really really cover lover person... so sometimes I shamefully admit I go only by cover alone when I buy some books... but with reviews like yours T_T and books like THIS

    T_________________________T

    Thanks for the review, seriously, now I'm back to reading reviews from 2 bloggers :D

    Now, I only hope my savings survive the onslaught of you both hahaha

    #1LatinaStalker

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  14. ummmm
    What helps ME is reading :)
    I know, such a predictable question, but seriously... when I read that getting over the hard stuff is possible then I believe I can do so too >.< also I pray heheeh so yeap...
    But I mean it... books are such a good therapy AND remedy

    #1LatinaStalker-Comment-Spammer :D

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  15. Fabulous review, Val! I love it when someone REALLY loves a book, and you can tell due to the enthusiasm in their review. I like the sound of this one - I really enjoy books that feature male narrators, plus it's just too cool that Antony is a writer!

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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  16. Eeeeee!! I got this at the same time as Autumn. I so wish I could've read w/you ladies. I'm really excited that y'all loved Spill Over so much. Fantastic review!

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  17. I'd have to say my wife and kids definitely get me through the hard times.

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  18. I would have to say my mom gets me through the tough stuff!! Don't know what I would do without her.

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  19. A good friend, of course. Oh, and on my entry for a kindle copy, I messed up before I could wrote my email address. I wrote everything down but the. com.

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  20. I know my answer sucks but it really helps me... I actually sleep... Or sometimes I read a lot of books so that I can forget it...

    Thank you for this!!!

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  21. Sleeping. Sleeping and reading something. NOT eating, I am not an emotional eater. Heck I'm not much of an eater at all. lol. Thanks for the giveaway!!!!

    Alyssa Susanna

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  22. Excellent coffee and a chat with my sister are always my go to helpers. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  23. What helps me through hard times? My mother, my best friend, my hubby, my soon to be 9 yr. old step-daughter, losts of caffine, deep breaths and at night a really good book! yes I know a lot of things!

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  24. Sleeping, eating out with friends, talking to others....isolating yourself is the worst thing to do.

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  25. I sometimes, just have to put one foot in front of the other. Keep going. Praying helps too.

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  26. Talking always helps, also meditate.

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  27. Fantastic book! I'd definitely recommend it too.

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  28. When I face challenges I read ya books

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  29. This sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway. As for the question, I guess family would be my answer.

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