K.A. Coleman

Lucy A. Kelly’s Holding On and Letting Go is a poignant tale about love, loss, and growing up. Two years after the death of brother, Emerson Caulfield returns home. There’s one person excited to see her, her childhood friend, Matt, but he quickly realizes that the Emerson he knew isn’t the girl standing before him. Emerson’s happy to cut ties with everyone who knew Peter and that means acting indifferent towards Matt. When Matt’s ex-girlfriend sets out to ruin Emerson’s show more reputation by spreading a nasty rumor, Matt steps up to the plate and he quickly realizes he’s never stopped loving Emerson. Will Emerson and Matt be able to put the past aside and rekindle their friendship or will they go their separate ways?

Holding On and Letting Go is told in both Emerson and Matt’s perspective. Kelly informs us when the narrative changes and it doesn’t distract the reader. I particularly enjoyed both point-of-views because it gives us the benefit of knowing both characters. It was important to know them separately because we are slowly fed information regarding Emerson’s move and ultimately why she stopped talking to Matt. Kelly also introduces us to a few secondary characters that you’ll love. Luke is Matt’s best friend, but in many ways he’s the rock that both Emerson and Matt need. He and Matt often discuss Emerson and he’s there to support Emerson as a friend and doesn’t judge her. Of course it being it high school, we need to have a girl that makes life impossible for Emerson and we get that with Savannah, Matt’s ex-girlfriend.

The writing is good and the language used is how your average teenager would talk. There are some heavy issues discussed including anorexia and dealing with grief. Ultimately, Kelly delivers the message of asking for help and it’s okay to ask for it. We’re given two characters that desperately need help, but can’t find a way to ask, while those around them are helpless. There’s also the underlying issue of people changing and not knowing them fully. There’s one particular scene where Matt realizes Emerson isn’t the girl he’s put on this pedestal; she’s different and she’s done some things that make you raise your eyebrows, but what he didn’t realize is, that was Emerson’s call for help. Her parents may have been oblivious to her actions, but Matt should have realized what Emerson was asking for. After all, he’s known her his entire life, but then again maybe that’s the message all along, that we really don’t know the people we love.

What I particularly enjoyed was the character development and how everyone including the secondary characters changed. It’s not easy being friends with people who treat you badly and the fact that Kelly made Savannah remorseful especially at the end was a breath of fresh air. I loved the importance of siblings because unless you have them, you can’t understand the special bond. Kelly also showcases the importance of friendship and how the people we call friends can become part of our family. This is especially true regarding Luke asking Emerson to help him with his sister. I was in tears in the end, which I won’t spoil, because I loved how Emerson took his sister on and adopted her as her own. I wish I could touch upon the ending, but I don’t want to spoil it, but let’s just say, Peter, would be smiling at Emerson and thanking her.

I have several favorite scenes, but the one stands out is the fishing spot scene. What Matt did was incredible and I was happy that Emerson was given that special treat. I do wish Kelly had given us a scene with Emerson and her parents even if it was from Emerson’s perspective. I’m not a parent, but I can sympathize with the Caulfield’s and I suspect their indifference to Peter’s illness wasn’t because they didn’t care, but rather the inability to save him. They are doctors after all and it must have been devastating to know they couldn’t heal him.

I really enjoyed Lucy A. Kelly’s Holding On and Letting Go. We can all associate with Emerson and at some point we’ve experienced a loss in our lives. It’s a beautiful heartbreaking book. Do keep tissues on hand because you’re going to need it. show less

It's hard for me to review a book like this because it hits so close to home. I cried a lot while reading it, but mainly because it reminded me of my own memories. Like Emerson, I too lost my younger brother about four and a half years ago. However unlike Emerson, I didn't have a best friend looking out for me.

The thing that I really loved about this story was the characters. I can understand Emerson and I sympathized with her feelings. Half way through the story I started to wonder if show more things were ever going to get better for her. I was glad to see her coming out of her "funk" near the end. While Matt had his own demons to deal with he never left Em's side. I think when we are dealing with something so devastating we need someone there to help guide us out of the black hole that we see.

The way the story was written so well done it made it feel real. Unlike a lot of young adult books out there, the way the characters spoke was natural to the way teenagers speak today. There was no "Dawson's Creek" speak where they talk in only words that are 15 letters long. The alternating view points so flawless and I was never confused about who was speaking.

While reading this book I kept saying "It does get better, it never goes away but it gets better." Luckily for Em, she does end up seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but it's not without sever moments of pain. I recommend this book to anyone whose suffered a heartbreaking loss before. If you've been lucky enough to never know this pain, I still recommend that you read this book so you can better understand how to help your loved ones when they experience it. Either way go out and buy this book now. show less

To be quite honest, this review is difficult for me to write. Not because this was a book I didn't like, but because it's a book that's left me completely speechless, and touched me in a way I wasn't expecting. This contemporary realistic fiction novel is, by far, one of the best books I have ever read. I can't remember a story that's made me cry as much as this one has, and I loved every minute of it. The situations and events in this story are so real, and so deep, it's impossible not to show more be moved.

The main character, Emerson (Emmy), is a young woman I can relate to very well. Many of the things she went through in this story hit close to home, and I loved connecting to her throughout this book. I think she would be a very relatable character to anyone who's lost a loved one, especially a sibling. All her friends are characters with personalities I think anyone can relate to as well, and associate with someone in their own life. The depth of the realism these characters have, and that this story has created, is truly breathtaking. Every single character grows, and overcomes obstacles in their lives, which fills this story with inspiring triumphs and achievements.

This is truly one of the best books I have ever read, it both in story, and simply in the writing. It flowed smoothly, and while there were editing mistakes, they were no match for the powerful story Mrs. Coleman created. Overall, this is a book I plan on keeping for a long time to come, and plan on reading many more times. I'd recommend this story to anyone who enjoys young-adult realistic fiction with innocent contemporary romance.

*I was given an ecopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review. show less

To be quite honest, this review is difficult for me to write. Not because this was a book I didn't like, but because it's a book that's left me completely speechless, and touched me in a way I wasn't expecting. This contemporary realistic fiction novel is, by far, one of the best books I have ever read. I can't remember a story that's made me cry as much as this one has, and I loved every minute of it. The situations and events in this story are so real, and so deep, it's impossible not to show more be moved.

The main character, Emerson (Emmy), is a young woman I can relate to very well. Many of the things she went through in this story hit close to home, and I loved connecting to her throughout this book. I think she would be a very relatable character to anyone who's lost a loved one, especially a sibling. All her friends are characters with personalities I think anyone can relate to as well, and associate with someone in their own life. The depth of the realism these characters have, and that this story has created, is truly breathtaking. Every single character grows, and overcomes obstacles in their lives, which fills this story with inspiring triumphs and achievements.

This is truly one of the best books I have ever read, it both in story, and simply in the writing. It flowed smoothly, and while there were editing mistakes, they were no match for the powerful story Mrs. Coleman created. Overall, this is a book I plan on keeping for a long time to come, and plan on reading many more times. I'd recommend this story to anyone who enjoys young-adult realistic fiction with innocent contemporary romance.

*I was given an ecopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review. show less