Stewart Lewis

the idea here is good, and i was excited that it looked like he was going to take the much more interesting path for the characters. after, without malice but not accidentally, having done something catastrophic to someone else, how do these teenagers see themselves and remake their lives? do they carry it forever? does it change them forever? this would have been a thoughtful and thought provoking book.

but no, instead this became a ridiculous game of "who really did the thing" and the kids show more investigating why, which was so uninteresting and required way too much suspension of disbelief. it let the kids completely off the hook when it could have explored so much - morality, intention, impact vs intent, guilt, forgiveness, and more. some of the writing was ok but often it was eye-rolling, especially when the story had become the same. there was also such a lack of understanding about how the servant class sees their employers, which was surprising and disappointing in a book published in 2021.

i did appreciate all the casual lgbtq representation and might not have been so bothered by the writing if i wasn't so annoyed with the story. show less

Life... Finds A Way. Ok, so I blatantly ripped a line from a very famous franchise that has literally nothing at all to do with this book, but it completely fits. This is a fun, quirky story about how life's seemingly random encounters can turn out to work out quite well indeed, and it does a phenomenal job of making the ride just dramatic enough to twist the heartstrings while ultimately staying true to itself. If you're looking for a more laid back, "oh, this is happening now, ok" level of show more escapism in these trying times, this is the book you're going to want to pick up. Very much recommended. show less

Teagan is having a hard time coping after her dads untimely death until she starts seeing the names of people appear in random places that are going to pass away that same day. Will Teagan be able to save them all and is this a message from behind the grave from her dad??

Look closer had me flipping the pages and I had a hard time putting it down as I kept wanting to know where Teagan would see the next name of who was going to die and if she could beat the clock and save them or if they show more would suffer the same fate as Edge’s friend.

I felt that Stewart Lewis really had a fresh idea for a young adult novel and that he hit on a ton of emotions that really drove this book home for me. It was powerful and made you think and had me questioning what I would do if put in a similar situation would I be brave enough to interject with fate?

If your a fan of young adult or not I think this is a story that could be enjoyed by both teens and adults alike. show less

Happily Whatever After by Stewart Lewis
Source: NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing
Rating: 4½/5 stars

Sometimes in life, the worst things that happen to you are just the gateway to the good things that are waiting on you. Page was pretty sure her life in New York was just what she wanted, a long-term boyfriend, a job in a gallery she loved, and contentment. And then, it all fell apart in a single week. Her boss called her boring and her boyfriend dumped her. With no job, no boyfriend, and no show more home, Page has no choice but to seek refuge with her brother.

Washington DC is Page’s new home and while she loves spending time with her wildly successful brother, she has no idea how she is going to become equally successful in her own life. With no prospects for a job, let alone a career, Page begins to spend a portion of her days at the local dog park. It doesn’t take long for the regulars to figure out, Page is the only one in attendance with no dog, which, of course causes get speculation. Within a matter of just a few visits, Page has nicknames for all the owners a new friend in the form of a young, attractive man who is attached to a wealthy, older dog owner. Page immediately becomes friends with both men and suddenly her world in DC has opened significantly.

Over the next weeks, Page opens herself up to all sorts of new people, possibilities, and events. She is wowed by some of the people she meets, impressed by others, and baffled by more than a few. Throughout these experiences and events, Page begins to formulate an idea in the back of her mind, what would it be like to open and own her own gallery? Among her new friends, Page has met people who can help pave the way for her dreams, but it will take a load of hard work and effort.

As Page goes about aimlessly living her new life, she begins to notice changes in her brother and his life. His patterns seem to be disrupted, she’s certain he’s having an affair, and he just doesn’t seem his usual cheerful, happy go lucky self. Though he swears all is well, Page isn’t certain, but until he comes clean there’s nothing she can do but live her life and worry. Living her life is exactly what she does and along the way, Page discovers exactly what her path is all while helping her new friends and family alike. The path isn’t smooth, but it does lead Page to exactly where she was always meant to be.

The Bottom Line: This is yet another read whose Goodreads star rating baffles me. I found this book to be a full range of goodness from cover to cover. Though Page initially comes across as flighty and somewhat ditzy, she eventually comes around to the person she truly is, a kind, generous, caring person with a dream that takes all she is to come true. Ultimately, Page’s story is about how hard it is to be an adult. Life doesn’t always go as we plan and when we find ourselves adrift, we have to find a new plan and a new path. Page does that, but not without learning a great many valuable lessons about herself, life, and love. In all, I found this to be a quite good read and well worth the time and effort. show less