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| 5 Kleenex worthy Stars Arc provided by author in exchange for an honest review |
Wow, just WOW! Yes, “Making
Faces” is a story of friendship, family, heroes, loss and beauty but it is also
a story of love. Love of family, love between friends and unconditional,
innocent love between two broken souls.
Fern Taylor may not have been a pretty girl, but her beauty
radiates from deep with in her soul, and it shines as bright as the sun. It is that “beauty” which causes Ambrose to
fall deeply in love.
The saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” has never
meant more to me than when I was reading this tale. Fern, an ugly duckling, is
a gifted girl. She is loving, caring, intelligent,
imaginative and loyal. We see all the good that is Fern in the way she loves
and cares for Bailey, her cousin and best friend who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy. She is a true heroine that possesses
immeasurable strength. Her relationship
with Bailey is symbiotic – Bailey depends on Fern physically and he is her
emotional rock. The bond between these delightful
characters made me laugh out loud as much as they brought tears to my
eyes.
As a little girl, Fern fell head over heals for Ambrose “Brosey”
Young, the all American jock and school wrestling champion. His good looks are
as great as his talents. He is a combination
of Adonis and Hercules, the embodiment of beauty and strength. But “Brosey” overlooks Fern. When given the opportunity to express her
feelings for him through writing love letters, Fern poses as her friend, Rita (a
drop dead gorgeous girl) and aids in the blossoming relationship between the
two. Once the truth is revealed that Fern has penned these amorous notes, the
results are disastrous. Ambrose does not take kindly to being duped. Leaving Fern broken hearted.
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| "Victory is in the battle" |
After high school graduation, Ambrose, as well as his friends,
enlist in the armed services and stationed in the Middle East. After a tragic accident, Ambrose must learn
how to live his life sans his physical handsomeness. But Ambrose is no monster. His inner beauty, which now emanates more
than ever, causes Fern to fall deeper in love. It is Fern’s strength that saves
him from a life of painful loneliness and it is Fern who fills the void when
his loved ones are lost.
Fern’s journey into Ambrose’s heart is an inspiring story. It brought tears to my eyes and filled me with joy. I could not get enough of this story….I wanted more, more insight into Ambrose and Fern’s life
together. And the letters – I craved to
see his reaction to Fern’s notes written while he was overseas. I fell in love
with the gentle giant that is Ambrose. He is a softhearted, tender man...
SWOON.
“Making Faces” is a story that will stay with me for a very long
time. It is not a steamy read, but it is passionate in so many different ways. The events of 9/11 play a small part in this story, but had a huge effect
on me. I have lost friends that day, in
a place where my footsteps were imprinted, wondering if the family members that
work near by the WTC would come home. (Thankfully, they have). But difficult
stories are often the most beautiful. And
the most difficult story line, for me, was Bailey. His character is seared within my
soul. Oh Bailey, you are truly an
insightful sage. Your story is one of
beauty as well. Where others may have
seen only weakness, it is you who lives life with such vigor and displays
Herculean courage. Your story shredded me. It is a gift when one’s words stir
so many feelings. Amy Harmon’s masterful
writing talents sent my emotions into a tailspin.
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| "There are times when I think I just can't take anymore...But there are times when you just need to acknowledge the shit..." |
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