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cadyly's review
3.0
A good story, although it could have stood for showing more consequences to Kya's actions. Things were glossed over just a bit too much. I think the depth of hurt that was caused should have been explored a bit more and I'd like to have seen more resolution, but it was a good read.
haleyelisereads's review
4.0
Wow, wow, wow!! What an intense story about friendship, going into How I Lost You, I really didn't know what was going to come from it, I had never read a story that's main focus was around a friendship and I worried I would end up not enjoying it. Thank goodness I totally loved it!!
How I Lost You is through the eyes of Grace, Grace knows two things are for sure, 1. she wants to play paintball with the all female college team the Grinders and 2. that Kya Kessler is her best friend that she would do anything for. But as summer comes closer to an end, and Kya is slipping further away from herself, Grace will come to realize that not all friendships last forever, no matter how hard you try to save the other person, sometimes you have to let them go.
This was such a great story! If you are someone that has ever let go of a friendship for the better, then you need to read How I Lost You! I really felt I could connect with Grace, I had a girl in high school that I was insanely close with...we always had tons of fun together when we hung out, lots of inside jokes, and could tell each other anything and everything, she was one of my best friends next to Kira. But as high school went on, I started to realize how much she enjoyed drama, and lying, and it wasn't just little white lies, it would be long fabricated stories about her being pregnant and having to get an abortion, or her even having cancer (and none of it would be true)...after awhile I just couldn't take it anymore, I started to question everything she would tell me, wondering if it was the truth or not. We had a falling out, and it was for the better. We stayed in contact everyonce and awhile afterwards..but things never went back to how they were, and now we don't talk at all. Sometimes I miss how we were, but then I realize that my life was much less complicated after she was out of it, and for me it was for the better in the end.
Like I said though, I really felt I could connect with Grace. She tried everything to keep her and Kya's relationship above water, she let Kya get away with ALOT of wrong doings, and tried to forgive her and move on. Grace was just an all around amazing friend to Kya, I felt so bad for Grace being treated the way she was by Kya, Kya knew Grace would forgive anything she did, and she took advantage of it. When Grace eventually stands up for herself I just wanted to jump up and down with excitement for her. Overall Grace was just really an astounding character, you really see her grow in How I Lost You, and she is a character I think anyone that has ever felt like a doormat to someone, could relate too.
While I didn't like Kya, I still felt sorry for her, she goes through something, that I think is one of every girls worst nightmare. I know it's my greatest fear, so I did feel very much sorry for her, I really wished Kya would've overcome what she went through, but I guess if she had, there wouldn't have been a story. Going along with the topic of Kya, one thing I would've like to have seen from How I Lost You was an explanation from her, I know it didn't matter to the story, but in the end I really wanted to know WHY Kya had lied to James and Grace, what did she gain from it? At the end of the story I know it's not something that mattered, but her lying to them was the only thing that I couldn't think of a 'why' to it.
There is also a slight romance in How I Lost You, that I really enjoyed. Grace meets a guy named Levi, that is shy and sweet. I think without him there for Grace she wouldn't had been able to stand up to Kya. Levi was an important character in my eyes. The romance in this story isn't a big focus though, and for once I am glad it wasn't This story was about having an amazing friendship with someone, then learning and realizing that not everything can last forever, and that sometimes it ending is the best thing for you.
I immensely recommend this book if you enjoy contemporary novels, and want something a little different. For anyone that has ever felt like a doormat, or let go of something that you wished you didn't have to. This is a story for you.
I will def be picking up Janet's other novels after this!
How I Lost You is through the eyes of Grace, Grace knows two things are for sure, 1. she wants to play paintball with the all female college team the Grinders and 2. that Kya Kessler is her best friend that she would do anything for. But as summer comes closer to an end, and Kya is slipping further away from herself, Grace will come to realize that not all friendships last forever, no matter how hard you try to save the other person, sometimes you have to let them go.
This was such a great story! If you are someone that has ever let go of a friendship for the better, then you need to read How I Lost You! I really felt I could connect with Grace, I had a girl in high school that I was insanely close with...we always had tons of fun together when we hung out, lots of inside jokes, and could tell each other anything and everything, she was one of my best friends next to Kira. But as high school went on, I started to realize how much she enjoyed drama, and lying, and it wasn't just little white lies, it would be long fabricated stories about her being pregnant and having to get an abortion, or her even having cancer (and none of it would be true)...after awhile I just couldn't take it anymore, I started to question everything she would tell me, wondering if it was the truth or not. We had a falling out, and it was for the better. We stayed in contact everyonce and awhile afterwards..but things never went back to how they were, and now we don't talk at all. Sometimes I miss how we were, but then I realize that my life was much less complicated after she was out of it, and for me it was for the better in the end.
Like I said though, I really felt I could connect with Grace. She tried everything to keep her and Kya's relationship above water, she let Kya get away with ALOT of wrong doings, and tried to forgive her and move on. Grace was just an all around amazing friend to Kya, I felt so bad for Grace being treated the way she was by Kya, Kya knew Grace would forgive anything she did, and she took advantage of it. When Grace eventually stands up for herself I just wanted to jump up and down with excitement for her. Overall Grace was just really an astounding character, you really see her grow in How I Lost You, and she is a character I think anyone that has ever felt like a doormat to someone, could relate too.
While I didn't like Kya, I still felt sorry for her, she goes through something, that I think is one of every girls worst nightmare. I know it's my greatest fear, so I did feel very much sorry for her, I really wished Kya would've overcome what she went through, but I guess if she had, there wouldn't have been a story. Going along with the topic of Kya, one thing I would've like to have seen from How I Lost You was an explanation from her, I know it didn't matter to the story, but in the end I really wanted to know WHY Kya had lied to James and Grace, what did she gain from it? At the end of the story I know it's not something that mattered, but her lying to them was the only thing that I couldn't think of a 'why' to it.
There is also a slight romance in How I Lost You, that I really enjoyed. Grace meets a guy named Levi, that is shy and sweet. I think without him there for Grace she wouldn't had been able to stand up to Kya. Levi was an important character in my eyes. The romance in this story isn't a big focus though, and for once I am glad it wasn't This story was about having an amazing friendship with someone, then learning and realizing that not everything can last forever, and that sometimes it ending is the best thing for you.
I immensely recommend this book if you enjoy contemporary novels, and want something a little different. For anyone that has ever felt like a doormat, or let go of something that you wished you didn't have to. This is a story for you.
I will def be picking up Janet's other novels after this!
nagam's review
4.0
Probably more of a 3.5, but it really hit home for me with a lot of things that happened with Kya. Things I have personally experienced with someone I'm close to. Janet did an awesome job writing those parts; I cringed and wanted to rush through them, but they made me FEEL. I wish the story had maybe been a bit longer (? - I think) to provide a bit more end resolution. I know Grace will be okay, but I hate continuing to wonder about characters.
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Review originally published on Rather Be Reading:
Growing pains are rough…especially when you’re suffering through them with your best friend. I’ve totally been there with friends throughout the years: early in my marriage as I tried to figure out who I was as a wife, or even right now as some of my best friends just don’t care to make the effort to hang out anymore or respond to invitations to hang out. (Or even ask about what’s happening in my personal life — sometimes, you guys, I swear you know more about me than people I see on a regular basis.) The emotions and roller coaster ride of friendship is sometimes brutal.
In a nutshell, that’s what Grace and Kya are suffering through. Kya has a big secret that she’s entrusted Grace with, and sometimes the truth and reality of her secret leads to drinking too much and being much more flirtatious with guys than she should be. Always-loyal-Grace steps in to save the day and make sure that Kya is okay. The problem is that protecting Kya is exhausting and Grace is having to interfere much more than she should have to because Kya’s self-deprecating act is continually getting worse. Kya’s outbursts are intruding on Grace’s plans to make a college all-girls paintball team (that she thought Kya also wanted to join).
I’ll admit that I definitely felt torn about what Grace should do. Does she remain loyal to her friend to make sure she’s okay or does she speak up and get Kya more help? (It doesn’t help that Kya’s parents intentionally ignore the situation, taking the “innocence is bliss” route.) I tend to be president of the put-yourself-second club, but in How I Lost You, my emotions were on high alert. Kya was so selfish and bratty — always taking and never giving, always needing protection, but never thankful. Grace was strong and had good, good things coming her way — if only she could focus and improve her skills without Kya’s outbursts interfering. How much is too much? When do you start to breakdown if you’re always the person saving the day?
(Small side note: Kya’s behavior struck a real chord with me. I’ve had that person in my life before who calls in the middle of the night and scares the living daylights out of me because I’m just not sure what frame of mind they’re in. The drinking, the depression, the constant worrying about that person. All very real and a little uncomfortable, too.)
It’s hard to move through the rough patches of a friendship because sometimes you can’t quite determine if you’re going to make it to the other side. While reading about the problems these two girls faced wasn’t always the easiest, I could relate to so many moments. And thankfully, Gurtler included intense paintball games and a nice helping of a really sweet new boy that Grace needed on her side to break up the tension.
How I Lost You is the story of two girls whose friendship is at a fork in the road. They must decide whether to continue fighting to save their friendship or if it’s time to move forward individually. The lesson is that even if life does take us along different routes, we’re forever changed by the interactions and time we’ve had with those people.
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Review originally published on Rather Be Reading:
Growing pains are rough…especially when you’re suffering through them with your best friend. I’ve totally been there with friends throughout the years: early in my marriage as I tried to figure out who I was as a wife, or even right now as some of my best friends just don’t care to make the effort to hang out anymore or respond to invitations to hang out. (Or even ask about what’s happening in my personal life — sometimes, you guys, I swear you know more about me than people I see on a regular basis.) The emotions and roller coaster ride of friendship is sometimes brutal.
In a nutshell, that’s what Grace and Kya are suffering through. Kya has a big secret that she’s entrusted Grace with, and sometimes the truth and reality of her secret leads to drinking too much and being much more flirtatious with guys than she should be. Always-loyal-Grace steps in to save the day and make sure that Kya is okay. The problem is that protecting Kya is exhausting and Grace is having to interfere much more than she should have to because Kya’s self-deprecating act is continually getting worse. Kya’s outbursts are intruding on Grace’s plans to make a college all-girls paintball team (that she thought Kya also wanted to join).
I’ll admit that I definitely felt torn about what Grace should do. Does she remain loyal to her friend to make sure she’s okay or does she speak up and get Kya more help? (It doesn’t help that Kya’s parents intentionally ignore the situation, taking the “innocence is bliss” route.) I tend to be president of the put-yourself-second club, but in How I Lost You, my emotions were on high alert. Kya was so selfish and bratty — always taking and never giving, always needing protection, but never thankful. Grace was strong and had good, good things coming her way — if only she could focus and improve her skills without Kya’s outbursts interfering. How much is too much? When do you start to breakdown if you’re always the person saving the day?
(Small side note: Kya’s behavior struck a real chord with me. I’ve had that person in my life before who calls in the middle of the night and scares the living daylights out of me because I’m just not sure what frame of mind they’re in. The drinking, the depression, the constant worrying about that person. All very real and a little uncomfortable, too.)
It’s hard to move through the rough patches of a friendship because sometimes you can’t quite determine if you’re going to make it to the other side. While reading about the problems these two girls faced wasn’t always the easiest, I could relate to so many moments. And thankfully, Gurtler included intense paintball games and a nice helping of a really sweet new boy that Grace needed on her side to break up the tension.
How I Lost You is the story of two girls whose friendship is at a fork in the road. They must decide whether to continue fighting to save their friendship or if it’s time to move forward individually. The lesson is that even if life does take us along different routes, we’re forever changed by the interactions and time we’ve had with those people.
lauraew333's review
3.0
This was a pretty decent book..It details the life of Grace and her best friend Kya. They are normal high school seniors until Kya starts to change due to a trauma she endured earlier in her life. Grace, believing in BBS (Buds before Studs), covers for Kya when she becomes drunk and starts losing herself mostly on purpose.
All through this book, I found myself screaming at Grace to wake up and tell Kya how it is. Kya was getting deeper and deeper in and all Grace was doing was comforting her and telling her she did nothing wrong. Grace stuck with her and I admire that until it gets ridiculous which it did. Anyway. Before I start ranting, I'll close this review off by saying it was a wonderful story of the troubles some teens face going through high school as they discover themselves and deal with life's pressures and hardships. I felt that both of them were extremely immature and seemed like 9th graders the way they acted, not seniors.
Three stars for this book - great story line and writing, however the characters actions didn't fit themselves entirely.
All through this book, I found myself screaming at Grace to wake up and tell Kya how it is. Kya was getting deeper and deeper in and all Grace was doing was comforting her and telling her she did nothing wrong. Grace stuck with her and I admire that until it gets ridiculous which it did. Anyway. Before I start ranting, I'll close this review off by saying it was a wonderful story of the troubles some teens face going through high school as they discover themselves and deal with life's pressures and hardships. I felt that both of them were extremely immature and seemed like 9th graders the way they acted, not seniors.
Three stars for this book - great story line and writing, however the characters actions didn't fit themselves entirely.
charmaineac's review
2.0
Childish. Petty.
I didn't even get the fuzzies from a vanilla-fluff read. This was overall a disappointment.
I didn't even get the fuzzies from a vanilla-fluff read. This was overall a disappointment.
gabs_myfullbookshelf's review
4.0
This book was so good. I haven't read a Contemporary YA this wonderful in a long time, trust me. I finished it in a day, and barely ever stopped reading!
What makes this book so good are the characters. Their struggles and emotions are portrayed in a very realistic way. My Favorite character was definitely Levi.
Another thing I liked was the fact that the main characters, Grace and Kya, are female paintballers. I mean, when did you last read a book with female paintballers as the main characters? I even got to learn a teensy bit about the sport, though I admittedly didn't know very much about it to start with.
But the thing that I loved most about How I Lost You was the ending.
In closing, I really liked How I Lost You, and I would definitely recommend it!
I received this book via Goodreads First Reads. This in no way affects my review.
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All I can say after winning this is WOW. This was one book that I was not expecting to win at all, but that I was really hoping to read anyway! It sounds so good, and after I read the reviews for it, I only wanted to read it more. I am really happy right now! Thanks to all who made this giveaway possible!
What makes this book so good are the characters. Their struggles and emotions are portrayed in a very realistic way. My Favorite character was definitely Levi.
Another thing I liked was the fact that the main characters, Grace and Kya, are female paintballers. I mean, when did you last read a book with female paintballers as the main characters? I even got to learn a teensy bit about the sport, though I admittedly didn't know very much about it to start with.
But the thing that I loved most about How I Lost You was the ending.
Spoiler
In many a book I have read about friends growing apart, the friends get back together and promise to be best friends forever, or something like that. Which is nice and all, but that doesn't always happen in real life. Sometimes, you forgive each otherj, but you just know you'll never be as close to the person you once were...I'll stop here so I don't give everything away.In closing, I really liked How I Lost You, and I would definitely recommend it!
I received this book via Goodreads First Reads. This in no way affects my review.
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All I can say after winning this is WOW. This was one book that I was not expecting to win at all, but that I was really hoping to read anyway! It sounds so good, and after I read the reviews for it, I only wanted to read it more. I am really happy right now! Thanks to all who made this giveaway possible!
plumeriade's review
2.0
THIS WAS NOT AT ALL WHAT I WANTED.
this was not a bad book. and in fact, it started off really promising. best girl friends who beat boys at paint ball! that's so cool! then it all goes downhill. the problem is that the end message of the book makes me REALLY MAD. is Kya the best behaved friend ever? no. but I'm MAD that. OH, AND the parallel to Grace's struggle with whether to stay friends with Kya is a guy going "I know that feeling, I lost a friend because I beat him up because he was a pedophile." ugh ugh ugh.
I want more ya novels about sisters before misters that stays that way.
this was not a bad book. and in fact, it started off really promising. best girl friends who beat boys at paint ball! that's so cool! then it all goes downhill. the problem is that the end message of the book makes me REALLY MAD. is Kya the best behaved friend ever? no. but I'm MAD that
Spoiler
SHE COMES OFF AS THE BAD PERSON and the "nice" guy who hates Kya because they slept together and whose attitude is basically "GOD being raped and re-living the trauma doesn't excuse turning into a drunken slut" is the good guy in the end who is allowed to stay friends with GraceI want more ya novels about sisters before misters that stays that way.
mountie9's review
4.0
A well written interesting tale of friendship, trauma and growing up. Characters are realistic and you develop a connection with them that you still feel after the story is done. As a mature reader (ok I'm a 51 year old mom) I loved the parents. Often in teen books the parents are often horrible, absent or just out of touch, so this was a nice little bonus. I love Gurtler's books because they are never condescending and the storylines are always intriguing. Wish I was more articulate today to describe this -- but well I am not. So just simply a good read and perfect for teens wanting a good story that they can relate to.