Romily Bernard

Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I was really excited when I first saw Never Apart because I loved Find Me and I had no idea that Romily was releasing a new novel. I’m not a huge fan of mystery, but I knew I had to read this one, and I’m so glad I did.

I wasn’t expecting for it to be set in a parallel universe sort of thing, so that was really interesting for me because I haven’t read very many books set in an alternate dimension. And the fact that it revolved around reincarnation was super show more cool to me because I haven't read many of those either.
I really liked the descriptions in each of Grace’s Falls and how she adapts to each one. Aside from the setting, I enjoyed the character's and how each of their backstory is slowly revealed. My favorite thing was probably how Grace was a bit of an unreliable character. I also ended up liking Finn, and I really liked how the characters were crafted because there was a lot more to them than it seemed at first.

The thing I loved the most about the plot was how I wasn’t able to expect what would happen next (I can’t even count how many times I mentally screamed “What is happening?!” while I was reading). Although, I did guess the ending way back in the beginning but I didn’t think about very much because I thought it was wrong, so I was actually really surprised when my prediction turned out to be right.

One thing that I wasn’t a huge fan of was the switch between past and present. I think it really helped piece together everything in the end, but it was a bit jarring to switch between when reading.

Overall, Never Apart was such a great book. It had me on edge throughout the novel, and I could not stop myself from reading. Even though it’s a fairly long book, it was a super fast read and I just flew through it. I highly recommend it to fans of mystery and sci-fi! show less

I finished Find Me only a few moments ago, and I'm still breathless. I'll be the first to admit that this book didn't hook me at first. It was a slow build up. A deliberate web of mystery and deceit that is created page by page. By the time I was at the mid-point of the book, I was intrigued. By the last third of the book, I was flipping pages like a reader possessed. My point? Give this book some time. It'll hook you. Oh, it'll hook you.

Wicket Tate doesn't only have a very unique name, she show more has skills. She's a survivor, a computer hacker, and an expert at blending in. So why does she suddenly feel like everything is spiraling out of control? I had a soft spot for Wick and her sister Lily. These two had been through hell and back, yet they were stronger than I could ever be. Wicket has a mouth on her, but her love for her sister is fierce and she'll do whatever it takes to protect them. I couldn't have asked for a better protagonist to follow. Then there was Griff. I wasn't certain about this mysterious guy at first. He felt placed in simply for a possible romance. However soon Griff became as essential to the story as Wick was. Kudos to Romily Bernard! I loved him.

As I mentioned before, the story does take a little time to get into full swing. I found myself placed in the middle of Wick's transition and had to wade through until I got my bearings. Her story is tough because it has so much opportunity to be true. On the flip side, that's also why it's so compulsively readable. The emotion that comes through, the raw pain and strength, are what kept me reading on. Wick is fierce, even in the face of danger, and I adored her for it. Plus you won't see the ending coming. It's slightly like a slap in the face, but one that you'll gladly take.

Is this review all over the place? Probably. Truthfully, my thoughts are still all over the place. The ending of this book was so much more than I was expecting, and I still can't get it out of my mind. What I can say is that I recommend Find Me to you, my dear readers. If you enjoy strong, female protagonists and mystery expertly blended, then this is a book for you. show less

Review
 

Find Me is a fantastic thriller. I was guessing at every corner, and may have stayed up really late to finish this book.

I love everything about Wick. She's a strong character to have gone through all the crap she has and still be sane. She doesn't ask for help, and insists on taking on the burden for everything. She is also incredibly snarky. I appreciate Griff. He isn't who I would picture a girl like Wick going for, but he understands her on a level. He isn't afraid of the things show more she's been through, and has a serious hero complex.

So much freaking intensity. Just when you think Wick will get a break, something else happens. She doesn't want to look behind the scenes at what happened to Tessa. She also suspects everyone. Wick doesn't trust easily, and there are a few moments in the book that you find out why. The scenes where there is an event are so real. It was hard to pull myself out of the action. I felt every emotion right along with Wick.

Bernard has an ability to suck you into her book. I didn't want to put it down, and kept going on about how awesome this book is to everyone. show less

Wick and her sister, Lily, have had a pretty hard life so far. Years back, their mother committed suicide. Their father is a menacing drug dealer eluding capture. Currently set up in the posh side of town with compassionate foster parents, Lily is happily settling into their new surroundings. Wick, however, knows better. Suspicious and defensive, she has quietly set up her own cyber-investigation service, using the skills she’s learned from her dad’s partner, banking the funds in case show more she and Lily have to flee in the night. Because her sister’s safety is the only thing that matters and Wick knows that the nice clothes, the lovely home and the caring parents are no protection against the dangers of her old life and the reappearance of her father.

Then another suicide pushes her into the reluctant job of finding an abuser, at the same time a nosy detective starts popping up and her dad’s partner reels her in for a new scam. There’s also Griff. “Nice boy. Very polite. With striking eyes.” Griff lives in her old neighborhood and they know each other through school. So, what’s made him suddenly so interesting, and is he a distraction she can afford to have? Wick’s secrets threaten to unravel and she’s ready to run until a dead girl’s diary and an anonymous online posting reveal a tormentor’s latest obsession—Lily.

Find Me by Romily Bernard is a fast-paced, action-packed mystery with Wick as the scrappy, smart narrator. Keeping everyone at a distance—with the exception of her sister—has always served her well, so she’s not about to start asking for help now. “Trust” is not something Wick does well, either, which is a good thing here; there are dark secrets to uncover behind these manicured lawns and perfectly played out lives. The author throws up plenty of twists along the way and there’s a budding romance to provide distraction between the ominous bits. For the most part, the characters are nicely fleshed out and the relationships feel genuine. Readers will fly through these pages as tensions mount and Wick is forced into a game of cat and mouse to save her sister. Thankfully, we’ll see more of Wick when the second book in the trilogy, Remember Me, comes out in Fall 2014. For fans of April Henry and Jennifer Lynne Barnes, here's a new author to watch. show less