Jessica Sorensen

I was so glad when I got approved for this book because the last one left off at this oh my god, I can't believe what just happened, please tell me that was a dream, what the f*ck, I NEED TO KNOW what happens moment.
The beginning doesn't really lay out all of those answers at once, but we do get some of them, and then the drama and suspense quickly starts up in this one, having me itching to know answers, but also savoring the character development in that moment, and getting glimpses into show more the souls of Callie and Kayden. Their fears, insecurities, their emotions, and trying to sort out what they feel, and how and if redemption and healing is possible.
We also get to see more of the friendship with Callie and Seth, which I love. Their banter, easy trust and conversations, as well as the hard questions he poses, and how he tries to push Callie toward that healing and redemption that she so needs and wants in her life.
Luke is also back in the picture, and I like him more and more every scene he is in. His easy acceptance of Callie, how he cares about her as a friend, and I want to know about his intensity, his accepting nature towards Seth, and what turned him into this cool person he is.
It is so hard to watch Kayden hiding. He thinks that Callie deserves better than him after her seeing him like that and knowing the truth about some of his darkest personal secrets. Callie is so brave though in standing up to him and not letting him get away. It is really intense moments, and I love those glimpses when his self control slips and we get to see the passion and how much they love each other, but then it is all the harder when thought returns to him and he once again is misguidingly trying to protect her from himself.
There were some really hot moments, deep conversations, and two very brave and determined people. To leave their past behind them, and to somehow find hope, healing and redemption.
I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed, and that the recovery wasn't quite as realistic as I think it would be in real life, but it was still extremely emotional and touching. It made me want to cry, and jump for joy. And oh the epilogue, it opened the door for more to go on in this world and still to give the ending that I wanted for Callie and Kayden. I can't wait to learn about Violet and see more about Luke in the 3rd book as well as more details about what Callie's brother told her at the end.

Bottom Line: Heart wrenching but swoon worthy followup with Callie and Kayden. show less

I want to start out by saying I have a huge crush on Jessica Sorensen. She is one of the most brilliant authors ever! This book was recommended to me by my best friend and from the moment I picked it up, I was in love!

***Possible spoilers because it's too brilliant not to spoil***

Ella Mae Daniels is a truly beautiful broken girl. Growing up, Ella did not live the average normal life. With a sick mother, a drunken father, and a brother who blamed her for all their problems.

"...Don't ever do show more that to me again. I can't do this without you..."

Ella had one bright spot growing up, her next door neighbor and best friend, Micha Scott. Everything they did, they did together. They went from friends, to best friends, to Ella falling desperately in love with her best friend.

"...He is my best friend, my soulmate. In a perfect world, full of roses and sunshine we'd be together, but this world is full of broken homes, drunken fathers, and mothers who give up easily..."

Ella was a wild child, a dark party girl who loved a rush and speed. Micha taught her all about cars and street racing. Racing was a release from the daily routine and broken homes. Until life turned tragic and a broken girl shattered. Instead of facing everything Ella buries it deep and walks away from her life.

"...Then I walk away, leaving him on the bridge in the rain, along with the old Ella..."

Eight months later, Ella is forced to return home for the summer. With her new friend and roommate Lila driving, Ella is about to return to Star Grove for the first time since walking away from Micha and her life. But what they don't know is the Ella coming home is a completely different girl. She is now Miss Pretty, Prim, and Proper. She is now what she use to not like, at all.

"...There were no secrets with me. But now secrets define me..."

Not even minutes back home and Ella comes face to face with her childhood best friend and secret love, Micha. Right then and there Ella learns quickly that she can paint on a smile and wear pretty clothes but the mask did nothing to mask her feelings for this beautiful boy with aqua eyes.

"...it's what's buried deep inside that frightens me because it's broken, like a shattered mirror..."

Micha was not only surprised when Ella walks back into his life out of the clear blue, but he was also surprised by the Ella that returns. The Ella he knew that lived to break rules, speak her mind , and loved an adrenaline rush and taking risks seemed to be buried deep down under This sweet nice girl facade.

"...It was one of the many things that made me fall in love with her; the fire, passion, and the need to stick up for the outcasts, even if it meant being an outcast herself. She never fell into any category - she was just Ella..."

Ella is determined to keep the broken girl buried. Micha is determined to bring his Ella back. Can Micha help Ella face the past and come to terms with It and who she is? Will their love finally blossom? What will the future hold for these two beautifully broken souls?

"...They'll never really know what it took to get here. How many years were invested, but that's okay. It's a secret between us..."

The Secret of Ella and Micha is one of my top five favorite books ever! I became an instant fangirl of Jessica Sorensen since I picked the book up! Ella is such a beautiful and fascinating character. Micha is just delicious and together they just make you fall in love with love. This book gave me flashbacks to my own childhood. It made me laugh and cry. There are not enough words to describe how brilliant this book is! And it has a killer playlist to go along with it. Please go get this book and become introduced and fall in love with Ella and Micha. You will not regret it. Now let me give this book a Nerd Alert A or 5 deeply loved stars so I can go start the next book!! show less

In the existence of our lives, there is a single coincidence that brings us together and for a moment, our hearts beat as one."

wow and wow. We are all broken, just in different ways. We all struggled, we've all had to pick up the pieces of who we once were and try to put them back together.

But every now and again, two people are so broken and their pieces so scattered, that when their two paths cross - they are more whole then they were before. This is Callie and Kayden

I'm so glad that show more Kayden doesn't have anger issues and doesn't try to beat up every person Callie talks to. I love that he's not possessive. He's real. He's broken and he's struggling. And he's sweet beyond belief.

And Callie is so real in her need to hide, disappear and run. This topic is very real, very dear to me. And Jessica Sorensen does such a wonderful job or respecting the pain, the struggle to understand the loss of something not tangible - and the wonder at the healing process.

and together they aren't suddenly two halves made whole - they are finding themselves. It's a tough juggle to not make them co-dependent, and Jessica Sorensen does it flawlessly.

I just can't say it enough. I loved this book. show less

"The day I changed is like a scar. It's there, a memory in my mind, something I always remember, and can never erase."

If you ever want to read a book that will tear you apart, grab a book my Jessica Sorenson. This has been on my TBR for so long, but I was hesitant to grab for it since I have loved all the books I previously read by JS. This was pretty hyped in the book world, and I did not want to be disappointed…I was not!

This deals with some pretty serious issues including child abuse, show more sexual abuse, and suicide. It is about moving on and how to trust again.

I love the character development and how the author even makes you fall in love with the side characters. I know there are stories about these characters later in the series, and I love how they are just as developed as the main characters and I look forward to reading more about their story as well.

I just finished! Did it really just end like that????? Need book 2 now! show less