Received
from author in exchange for an honest review
5
Sunshine filled stars
After reading the synopsis,
I needed to get my hands on this book immediately. The Resurrection of Aubrey
Miller was my introduction to LB Simmons’ work and now I am kicking myself for
not discovering this author sooner. To say this was a poignant read is an
understatement. It was a paradox – causing me to wonder how this author created
such magic that was both devastatingly soul shattering, yet extraordinarily
heart warming. Page after page, I felt as if I was thrown head first into a
tumultuous cyclone, as I fluctuated between feeling gut wrenching despair and
absolute elation. It was a wondrously profound story of friendship, grief,
self-discovery and the healing power of love.
Meet Aubrey (Bree) Miller.
I'm dark, dreary, morbid.
I hate the person I've become.
A
child surrounded by death whose life is consumed by guilt and grief. A scarred
little girl left only to survive losing her entire family by locking up all
memories of her past and reinventing herself. Aubrey is lost as ‘Raven’
emerges, her self-loathing emo-goth-like alter ego. The girl she once was has
been masked, hiding behind crazy makeup, hair, contacts and body piercings. She
purposefully becomes unrecognizable, disallowing all from seeing her pain or
tempting to breach impenetrable walls surrounding her heart.
I am
death.
And I bring it to all who love me.
Her tragedies
struck me, and I was truly saddened when seeing how Raven emotionally guards
herself through her physical transformation. Her ruse works well for her up
until she is off to college and encounters two loveable characters – Quinn and
Kaeleb. Each burdened with sorrows, but systematically work together to
dismantle tough girl Raven’s defenses in hopes to reveal the sunshine bury deep
beneath her gloomy façade.
This story addresses some
pretty serious issues and by no means a flowery sugar coated cutesy friends-turned-lovers
romance. This trio of friends faced grim circumstances (Bree’s being the most
extreme), which were so powerful and so intense, it moved me. I was totally
gutted the way this author painted Bree’s pain, through childhood flashbacks
and current heartaches she continues to endure, as they are slowly peeled away
to reveal her inner turmoil. All the while, my emotions were stirred to the
point of which I felt an overwhelming connection to her sorrows. I cried ugly
tears for all those she lost, frustrated with her stubbornness, and desperately
hoped for her healing. Bree was a compelling character whose journey to
self-discovery touched my heart.
I can go on and on gushing
over Kaeleb McMadden, Bree’s once childhood pal and adorably sexy boyfriend. He
is the perfectly flawed romantic hero.
Sincere, loyal, patient and most
importantly…passionate, Kaeleb is the driving force fighting to bring back his
Bree from the darkness that is Raven. He captured my heart with his unwavering determination.
Loved how despite his own problems he selflessly puts her welfare before all
else. Seeing them fall in love was deliciously heartwarming. I so adored all
things Kaeleb.
And then there’s Quinn, the
stunning yet broken beauty queen who pushes her way into Bree’s life. Her
character added a bit of levity and hilarity into this otherwise sober read
with her perky personality and crazy antics. She was the perfect compliment to
Raven’s stark persona.
The Resurrection of Aubrey
Miller was truly a touching read for me. I enjoyed every laughable, sizzling
and tearful moment. There were times I found the story was too emotionally difficult
for me to handle, especially during Bree’s childhood flashbacks. It was during
those times that I literally felt her character’s anguish. Nevertheless, the
more dynamic the story, the more I tend to savor every word. It was an exquisitely
written tale, whose characters and experiences will stay with me for a very
long time.
TRIPLES with EMMA
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