Theresa Paolo
Author of Mad About Matt
About the Author
Disambiguation Notice:
Theresa Paolo writes YA under pseudonym Tessa Marie.
Series
Works by Theresa Paolo
Broken Records 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Relationships
- Mae, Cassie (frequent collaborator)
- Disambiguation notice
- Theresa Paolo writes YA under pseudonym Tessa Marie.
Members
Reviews
*** Warning *** Spoilers for (Never) Again. Do not proceed if you haven't read (Never) Again ***
(Once) Again picks up where (Never) Again left off. This time, we follow Liz's older brother, Josh, as he recovers from a gunshot wound to the thigh. He's lucky to be alive and knows it, but he's haunted by what he witnessed when a deranged gunman killed six of his classmates and wounded seventeen, including Josh. His baseball scholarship hanging in the balance being the least of his concerns.
He show more returns home to recuperate and a home nurse is hired to help out. He's shocked to discover the nurse is Kat, a girl from his past, the only girl he's ever loved. In some ways, the themes parallel (Never) Again with Josh being the one that moved on, leaving the girl behind. But there are differences, too. He told Kat to ask him to stay, but she didn't. He tried to move on, but couldn't. She's not willing to let him back in, even though that's all he wants.
Plot
This story is a lot darker than it's predecessor. Josh is dealing with PTSD big time and author Theresa Paolo does an amazing job of making the reader feel it. We get deep inside Josh's head and relive the horror of that day over and over again. Kat is dealing with her own issues. Part of the reason she let him go was because her mother was sick, and she was wrapped up in her own family drama. But it's more than that, she harbors dark secrets of her own that haunt her dreams. These two have a lot to overcome if they're going to have another chance. It all builds to a pretty intense climax that is very well done.
World Building
The PTSD was incredibly well done. The author did an amazing job of getting me inside Josh's head and making me feel his panic, anxiety, and overwhelming intensity.
Characters
Aside from Josh being too emotionally feel-y, the characters are solid. Kat comes across as completely believable in her role, and Josh's parents are spot on as concerned parents. I love the scene where his mom tells him to "keep it in his pants." Such a great mother-son bonding moment and I laughed out loud.
Top Five Things I Enjoyed About (Once) Again
1. The delicate, but emotionally real way that PTSD is dealt with.
2. The continued bromance between Josh and Liz's boyfriend, Zach.
3. How much Josh loves Kat from early on, the way he pursues her, and is there for her.
4. Watching Kat come alive and stand up for herself at the frat party.
5. The scene with Mia's mom. So heartbreaking and beautiful.
Bottom Line
(Once) Again is intense, well-written, and touches on a difficult subject with grace and honesty.
Disclaimer
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less
(Once) Again picks up where (Never) Again left off. This time, we follow Liz's older brother, Josh, as he recovers from a gunshot wound to the thigh. He's lucky to be alive and knows it, but he's haunted by what he witnessed when a deranged gunman killed six of his classmates and wounded seventeen, including Josh. His baseball scholarship hanging in the balance being the least of his concerns.
He show more returns home to recuperate and a home nurse is hired to help out. He's shocked to discover the nurse is Kat, a girl from his past, the only girl he's ever loved. In some ways, the themes parallel (Never) Again with Josh being the one that moved on, leaving the girl behind. But there are differences, too. He told Kat to ask him to stay, but she didn't. He tried to move on, but couldn't. She's not willing to let him back in, even though that's all he wants.
Plot
This story is a lot darker than it's predecessor. Josh is dealing with PTSD big time and author Theresa Paolo does an amazing job of making the reader feel it. We get deep inside Josh's head and relive the horror of that day over and over again. Kat is dealing with her own issues. Part of the reason she let him go was because her mother was sick, and she was wrapped up in her own family drama. But it's more than that, she harbors dark secrets of her own that haunt her dreams. These two have a lot to overcome if they're going to have another chance. It all builds to a pretty intense climax that is very well done.
World Building
The PTSD was incredibly well done. The author did an amazing job of getting me inside Josh's head and making me feel his panic, anxiety, and overwhelming intensity.
Characters
Aside from Josh being too emotionally feel-y, the characters are solid. Kat comes across as completely believable in her role, and Josh's parents are spot on as concerned parents. I love the scene where his mom tells him to "keep it in his pants." Such a great mother-son bonding moment and I laughed out loud.
Top Five Things I Enjoyed About (Once) Again
1. The delicate, but emotionally real way that PTSD is dealt with.
2. The continued bromance between Josh and Liz's boyfriend, Zach.
3. How much Josh loves Kat from early on, the way he pursues her, and is there for her.
4. Watching Kat come alive and stand up for herself at the frat party.
5. The scene with Mia's mom. So heartbreaking and beautiful.
Bottom Line
(Once) Again is intense, well-written, and touches on a difficult subject with grace and honesty.
Disclaimer
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Marta C:
*eARC received from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
My first read from this author and most definitely not my last! I loved it! The emotions just tore me apart; yes I even cried.
(Never) Again is a story told in first person about Liz Wagner and how she's starting life in college. At eighteen she knows all about heartbreak, as the boy she loved moved away and never kept in touch. Falling into show more depression, she let her school work slide and misses out on going to the college of her dreams. Now she's rebuilt her life and has even managed to find happiness with Joe. Then, one day everything changes. Zach Roberts is back! Feeling like life is kicking her in the teeth, Liz is expected to just smile and carry on as if her world didn't fall apart when he deserted her. To make matters worse Zach is constantly around and just so perfect!
Struggling to balance her feelings for Joe while avoiding Zach is not an easy task. To add insult to injury, Liz's own brother,Josh, is all friendly with him as well. Then one day life changes. Tragedy strikes, and Liz needs support more than ever. Can she trust Zach or will he let her down again? What about her relationship with Joe? Will it stand up to the pressure that surrounds them all?
I am speechless with admiration at the sheer depth of this book. The author has written a story that while aimed at a young adult market is full of heart. The heroine Liz is just a dream to read about, as she struggles with coming to terms with her adulthood and the complications that romance can bring. She's bright and funny, and her opinion that life just bitch slaps her is one that will resonate with a lot of readers. This story is full of well written characters and humor. It's impossible not to care for Liz and Zach. When tragedy strikes, it's a shock, and written in such a way that the reader cannot help but feel emotionally involved. Truly moving.
Well done Ms. Paolo, and... more please. show less
*eARC received from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
My first read from this author and most definitely not my last! I loved it! The emotions just tore me apart; yes I even cried.
(Never) Again is a story told in first person about Liz Wagner and how she's starting life in college. At eighteen she knows all about heartbreak, as the boy she loved moved away and never kept in touch. Falling into show more depression, she let her school work slide and misses out on going to the college of her dreams. Now she's rebuilt her life and has even managed to find happiness with Joe. Then, one day everything changes. Zach Roberts is back! Feeling like life is kicking her in the teeth, Liz is expected to just smile and carry on as if her world didn't fall apart when he deserted her. To make matters worse Zach is constantly around and just so perfect!
Struggling to balance her feelings for Joe while avoiding Zach is not an easy task. To add insult to injury, Liz's own brother,Josh, is all friendly with him as well. Then one day life changes. Tragedy strikes, and Liz needs support more than ever. Can she trust Zach or will he let her down again? What about her relationship with Joe? Will it stand up to the pressure that surrounds them all?
I am speechless with admiration at the sheer depth of this book. The author has written a story that while aimed at a young adult market is full of heart. The heroine Liz is just a dream to read about, as she struggles with coming to terms with her adulthood and the complications that romance can bring. She's bright and funny, and her opinion that life just bitch slaps her is one that will resonate with a lot of readers. This story is full of well written characters and humor. It's impossible not to care for Liz and Zach. When tragedy strikes, it's a shock, and written in such a way that the reader cannot help but feel emotionally involved. Truly moving.
Well done Ms. Paolo, and... more please. show less
I didn’t know that this was a book #2, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt like binge-reading last night and skim through Google book store. They recommended this to me so I downloaded it. I regret it five hours after.
I was awake just smiling at this teasing love story between Caleb James and Kate Hayes. The story had an erotic tone to it, spending an entire chapter sexing it up. I skipped through it because I just want to read a story.
The five star stays because the story was well put. I show more love all the character development and how it intertwined with each other. I want to know more about Gia and Milo. That would be an interesting turn of an event.
Read More: http://kindlecorners.com/review/crushing-on-kate-red-maple-falls-2/ show less
I was awake just smiling at this teasing love story between Caleb James and Kate Hayes. The story had an erotic tone to it, spending an entire chapter sexing it up. I skipped through it because I just want to read a story.
The five star stays because the story was well put. I show more love all the character development and how it intertwined with each other. I want to know more about Gia and Milo. That would be an interesting turn of an event.
Read More: http://kindlecorners.com/review/crushing-on-kate-red-maple-falls-2/ show less
A really cute second chance romance. A couple 20 years ago, Phoebe broke Laurent’s heart. She smashed that sucker. Now she’s back to take him up on their silly pack to get married. Now it’s time for a fake romance. Oh, these two still have chemistry and it’s fun to watch them move past all that has happened. The characters are well-written and entertaining. The plot is a hair predictable but I am a sucker for romances in the vineyards. The family would try the patience of a saint and show more I think Laurent needs the break. It’s a fun, quick and entertaining read that any romance lover would enjoy. I hope to see more about the family in future books. This is a new author to me. I look forward to more from her. show less
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- 35
- Members
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- Rating
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- ISBNs
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