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popthebutterfly's review
4.0
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: YA Romance/Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (some violence and slight sexual content)
Pages: 192
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: After her mother’s death, eighteen-year-old Katie finds herself in a town she never thought she'd see again. Lost in turmoil and sadness, hope surfaces when she comes face to face with Julian for the first time in years.
However, he isn’t the same boy she left behind. Reserved and covered in bruises, everyone in River Valley avoids him. Rumors of his activities run rampant.
Julian is barely keeping it together. He’s the sole provider for his family after his dad leaves. His dreams to go to college are ruined. Even his relationship with his older brother leaves its mark.
Can Katie and Julian find hope and love in each other, or will the struggle to survive their desperate situations prove too much?
All The Things We Lost is a young adult contemporary romance perfect for both teens and adults. It is the first in a series of books, each revolving around a different couple living in the same, small town.
After the slew of fantasy and sci-fi reads I have waded through this month I just HAD to stop and read this cute little teen romance story and I didn’t regret it. It was charming and delightful. The characters were very well developed, their struggles felt real, and I cried. Like ugly cried. The world building was decent for this type of book and the pacing is well done. I also thought for the most part that the plot was good and it did keep me interested in reading the rest of the book.
The only slightly off-putting thing about this book is that it’s sometimes cliché and some of the things that happen in the book are a bit predictable. However, that doesn’t detract from how well written and interesting the book is. It’s also great for a good cry.
Verdict: If you like teen romance books, this is your new favorite series!
Genre: YA Romance/Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (some violence and slight sexual content)
Pages: 192
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: After her mother’s death, eighteen-year-old Katie finds herself in a town she never thought she'd see again. Lost in turmoil and sadness, hope surfaces when she comes face to face with Julian for the first time in years.
However, he isn’t the same boy she left behind. Reserved and covered in bruises, everyone in River Valley avoids him. Rumors of his activities run rampant.
Julian is barely keeping it together. He’s the sole provider for his family after his dad leaves. His dreams to go to college are ruined. Even his relationship with his older brother leaves its mark.
Can Katie and Julian find hope and love in each other, or will the struggle to survive their desperate situations prove too much?
All The Things We Lost is a young adult contemporary romance perfect for both teens and adults. It is the first in a series of books, each revolving around a different couple living in the same, small town.
After the slew of fantasy and sci-fi reads I have waded through this month I just HAD to stop and read this cute little teen romance story and I didn’t regret it. It was charming and delightful. The characters were very well developed, their struggles felt real, and I cried. Like ugly cried. The world building was decent for this type of book and the pacing is well done. I also thought for the most part that the plot was good and it did keep me interested in reading the rest of the book.
The only slightly off-putting thing about this book is that it’s sometimes cliché and some of the things that happen in the book are a bit predictable. However, that doesn’t detract from how well written and interesting the book is. It’s also great for a good cry.
Verdict: If you like teen romance books, this is your new favorite series!
lattes_lipstick_literature's review against another edition
3.0
So in-between all of the fantasy I have been reading I decided to do a contemporary book. The synopsis intrigued me, I wanted a story that explored sadness, loss, and hope. While those themes are in the book, it wasn't as explored as I like. Katie lost her mother, something I wouldn't begin to even be able to understand, but the way in which Tirrell wrote her made her come across as Selfish and privileged. I really tried to like Katie and there were times in the book I did, like when she stood up to a racist jerk. Other times, I just wanted to skip her POV because of how she sounded.
Julian I loved, and his parts in the story were a saving grace, I completely understood what he was going through and Tirrell wrote him beautifully. Maybe it's because I've been around situations such as the one he has been through so I understood his grief more? He wasn't perfect by any means, but I guess I was just more sympathetic to him.
The one thing I didn't like was the romance. I understood that there may needed to be a build up and have it slow burn into love, but they spent half of the book avoiding and ignoring each other. I also understood they were childhood friends but you haven't seen the person in 5 years, plus they have changed due to the events in the book but they barely talked when they first saw each other. A childhood connection is not enough to have them bloom into insta-love after 1 kiss.
This is a series and the next book involves 2 characters who were in this one, that I enjoyed. I am not sure if I want to read it or not, I'll keep it in mind though.
Julian I loved, and his parts in the story were a saving grace, I completely understood what he was going through and Tirrell wrote him beautifully. Maybe it's because I've been around situations such as the one he has been through so I understood his grief more? He wasn't perfect by any means, but I guess I was just more sympathetic to him.
The one thing I didn't like was the romance. I understood that there may needed to be a build up and have it slow burn into love, but they spent half of the book avoiding and ignoring each other. I also understood they were childhood friends but you haven't seen the person in 5 years, plus they have changed due to the events in the book but they barely talked when they first saw each other. A childhood connection is not enough to have them bloom into insta-love after 1 kiss.
This is a series and the next book involves 2 characters who were in this one, that I enjoyed. I am not sure if I want to read it or not, I'll keep it in mind though.
theirishbooklover's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Dynamic, unexpected, heartfelt.
Normally when I read books on my kindle, I don't read the blurb beforehand, this book was no exception.
I liked the storyline of this book but overall I felt something was missing. I saw some progress in the characters throughout the book, however I would have liked to see a bit more progress.
It was a 3 read for me. The characters can be quite unexpected in their actions at times. The plot is quite heartfelt and dynamic throughout. It is the first YA book I had read in a while so it was nice to dip back into the genre.
Normally when I read books on my kindle, I don't read the blurb beforehand, this book was no exception.
I liked the storyline of this book but overall I felt something was missing. I saw some progress in the characters throughout the book, however I would have liked to see a bit more progress.
It was a 3 read for me. The characters can be quite unexpected in their actions at times. The plot is quite heartfelt and dynamic throughout. It is the first YA book I had read in a while so it was nice to dip back into the genre.
caitlin_gabrielle's review against another edition
5.0
OKAY SO SOO! This book should probably be 4 stars, but for some reason, I just had a great time reading it and feel like giving it 5!! I think I was starved of a good book for a while LOL.
So the reason it should most likely be 4, is that it was somewhat rushed. I loved both Juliana and Katie but at certain points I was like oh wait they are together, okay that should've been a bit harder. Don't get me wrong, I liked that I didn't have to wait 10 years for these characters to finally canoodle, BUT everything kinda seemed accelerated.
If I had to describe this book I would say it was short and sweet. I read in like 3 hours. It was super simple and got to the point right away. So if you're looking for a quick read, happy ending, a love story, and friends to lovers book this is for you!
The conflict (where everything in a book falls apart) was short-lived, but whatever. You were warned
So the reason it should most likely be 4, is that it was somewhat rushed. I loved both Juliana and Katie but at certain points I was like oh wait they are together, okay that should've been a bit harder. Don't get me wrong, I liked that I didn't have to wait 10 years for these characters to finally canoodle, BUT everything kinda seemed accelerated.
If I had to describe this book I would say it was short and sweet. I read in like 3 hours. It was super simple and got to the point right away. So if you're looking for a quick read, happy ending, a love story, and friends to lovers book this is for you!
The conflict (where everything in a book falls apart) was short-lived, but whatever. You were warned
apagetoturn's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been struggling a lot lately with YA contemporary stories, and this one was a good bridge version - because Katie is 18, fresh out of high school, so honestly it felt more New Adult to me. At the very beginning we find out that Katie’s parents are divorced, she’s living with her mom and her dad is out west - a tragedy strikes, forcing her to make some hard choices. I really enjoyed that this book wasn’t so nice & happy- these kids dealt with some hard choices and were already being forced to live like true adults right out of school. I really enjoyed the relationships that formed and how even though all Katie wanted to do was run, she decided to figure it out, and face her fears.
I listened to this one on audible, it was a short 5 hour or so narration. The narrator was enjoyable, she did a great job distinguishing between characters as the POV switched with every other chapter. There were a few breathy moments, and chapter breaks where I experienced some background noise, but overall the narration was enjoyable.
I listened to this one on audible, it was a short 5 hour or so narration. The narrator was enjoyable, she did a great job distinguishing between characters as the POV switched with every other chapter. There were a few breathy moments, and chapter breaks where I experienced some background noise, but overall the narration was enjoyable.
captivate406's review
3.0
Overall the story was good. It’s seem to be missing something, I’m not sure what though. Maybe a little more detail? Other than that it was a cute wreath. The characters were good and it is a very easy To read. Even the plot was OK, maybe I just Didn’t fit with the characters. Quick, entertaining novel with a little drama to keep your reading.
haleymaxinee's review
4.0
I managed to get a free copy of this book and now I’m going to share all of my feels.
It’s four AM, I just finished All the Things We Lost, and here I am typing this review if that gives you any indication on how much I adored this debut novel. It was such a fast read, but I hated when I had to put it down and be an adult.
This sounds cheesy, but from the very beginning I knew that I was going to enjoy Tirrell’s writing. When I first heard that this was going to be a contemporary trilogy, that can also be read as standalone novels, the Anna and the French Kiss trilogy immediately came to mind. Now those are some huge hype/expectation shoes to be filled, but let me tell you, I was not disappointed with this read.
I loved Tirrell’s humor with the sarcastic remarks that she put into her character’s mouths. The use of the dual POV was brilliant. It isn’t something I have personally seen a lot of in contemporary romance. Some people might say that it only causes repetition, but I appreciated the extra insight and understanding of each character that it gave the reader. I was pleasantly surprised by a strong female friendship, which I always am a sucker for. Okay, now let’s talk about the actual story.
I loved Katie and Julian, plain and simple. What I cared about most though is that they have history. This isn’t a boy meets girl and they fall in love in 2 seconds kind of story. Katie and Julian were best friends growing up. Then Katie’s parents divorced and she and her mom packed up and moved to the sunshine state. Leaving Julian, her first crush, and best friend, in Idaho with the potatoes.
Years later, Katie’s Mom dies and she begrudgingly, per her grandparent’s wishes, packs up and moves back to Idaho to try and salvage a relationship with her Dad. Which is when she’s faced with the fact that the boy next door has grown up, and man is he cute behind that diner grill.
Katie and Julian have experienced loss in different ways and must learn how to start healing. Will they be able to overcome their fears and insecurities with the support of their family and friends? Maybe they can find each other, while searching for themselves.
My closing thoughts: I loved this story. It consumed me in the day that I read it. I need more.. thankfully there’s a short story available ❤️
❌SPOILERS FOR ENDING AHEAD - DO NOT PASS❌
There are two reasons that I’m not giving this a 5/5 stars:
1) Gwen and her backstory. I wish that the mysterious reason that she left her entire family in California was revealed. I feel like Katie would have been able to help her through opening up about that at some point. I understand that a strong part of their friendship is that they don’t push each other for information. However, I wanted to know why she was so afraid of sharing what her story was.
2) Lack of Katie+Julian scenes. The anticipation of them getting together is a reason why this story was so addictive. Then once they’re finally together, the other shoe drops and she flees across the country, and they’re apart again..which is a major conflict so I can’t be upset about that. I just feel like it would have been nice to actually see them together in more situations than are present.
It’s four AM, I just finished All the Things We Lost, and here I am typing this review if that gives you any indication on how much I adored this debut novel. It was such a fast read, but I hated when I had to put it down and be an adult.
This sounds cheesy, but from the very beginning I knew that I was going to enjoy Tirrell’s writing. When I first heard that this was going to be a contemporary trilogy, that can also be read as standalone novels, the Anna and the French Kiss trilogy immediately came to mind. Now those are some huge hype/expectation shoes to be filled, but let me tell you, I was not disappointed with this read.
I loved Tirrell’s humor with the sarcastic remarks that she put into her character’s mouths. The use of the dual POV was brilliant. It isn’t something I have personally seen a lot of in contemporary romance. Some people might say that it only causes repetition, but I appreciated the extra insight and understanding of each character that it gave the reader. I was pleasantly surprised by a strong female friendship, which I always am a sucker for. Okay, now let’s talk about the actual story.
I loved Katie and Julian, plain and simple. What I cared about most though is that they have history. This isn’t a boy meets girl and they fall in love in 2 seconds kind of story. Katie and Julian were best friends growing up. Then Katie’s parents divorced and she and her mom packed up and moved to the sunshine state. Leaving Julian, her first crush, and best friend, in Idaho with the potatoes.
Years later, Katie’s Mom dies and she begrudgingly, per her grandparent’s wishes, packs up and moves back to Idaho to try and salvage a relationship with her Dad. Which is when she’s faced with the fact that the boy next door has grown up, and man is he cute behind that diner grill.
Katie and Julian have experienced loss in different ways and must learn how to start healing. Will they be able to overcome their fears and insecurities with the support of their family and friends? Maybe they can find each other, while searching for themselves.
My closing thoughts: I loved this story. It consumed me in the day that I read it. I need more.. thankfully there’s a short story available ❤️
❌SPOILERS FOR ENDING AHEAD - DO NOT PASS❌
There are two reasons that I’m not giving this a 5/5 stars:
1) Gwen and her backstory. I wish that the mysterious reason that she left her entire family in California was revealed. I feel like Katie would have been able to help her through opening up about that at some point. I understand that a strong part of their friendship is that they don’t push each other for information. However, I wanted to know why she was so afraid of sharing what her story was.
2) Lack of Katie+Julian scenes. The anticipation of them getting together is a reason why this story was so addictive. Then once they’re finally together, the other shoe drops and she flees across the country, and they’re apart again..which is a major conflict so I can’t be upset about that. I just feel like it would have been nice to actually see them together in more situations than are present.
meg728's review
4.0
All The Things We Lost is a story about a young girl, Katie, whose parents divorced and she moved from Idaho to Florida with her Mom. After her Mom passed away she eventually goes back to Idaho to try to find herself and heal relationships with her Dad and former bestie Julian. Julian is a troubled soul who has been dealt a bad hand since she last saw him.
This a great heartfelt story of two teens trying to make the best with their lives and forge their path forward after dealing with life changing events. The type of events no kid should have to deal with.
I found this book to be refreshing as it was not the perfect life story but one dealing with real life issues and both main characters fighting to find their path to the future. Interested to see where the second part of this series will take Katie and Julian!
This a great heartfelt story of two teens trying to make the best with their lives and forge their path forward after dealing with life changing events. The type of events no kid should have to deal with.
I found this book to be refreshing as it was not the perfect life story but one dealing with real life issues and both main characters fighting to find their path to the future. Interested to see where the second part of this series will take Katie and Julian!