Scan barcode
samantha_randolph's review
5.0
When seventeen-year-old Karen's parents die, she doesn't know what to do. Life is a confusing mess, especially when her gymnastics coach, Bentley, asks her to move in with him and his son, Jordan. Determined to stay strong in practice so she can compete, Karen agrees, though her grief is often overwhelming. Can see cope with the grief while going after her dream? Can she get close to the guy who knows what she is going through and manage foreign feelings she may have for him?
Letters to Nowhere was an extremely gripping novel. From the first letter, I felt like I was wrapped in this world of Karen's, a world of heartache and grief and a struggle to hope and accept reality. Her emotions are often raw, but she doesn't always let those close to her know. She writes letters that they will never see, but shows the reader how she really feels. They were frequently short and simple, and in that, very powerful. This isn't a story where tragedy happens and the characters are suddenly okay again. This is a very real and clear display of the impact grief has and how it can carry over into the things we used to enjoy most.
I think what I liked most about this is the powerful hope expressed throughout. None of it is a fake or an oversimplified "everything with be ok eventually" kind. It was the kind of hope that starts with something small, like the ability to say a single sentence with the single most real truth out loud, and it continuously builds over time. It isn't an easy road for Karen, but sometimes just the visual of something to hope for, a new goal, can ease the pain.
As far as categorizing into young or new adult, I think it's a crossover. Jordan and Karen are technically in high school (though high school is not a major part of this story), they face mature issues. They deal with death, or try to, Karen learns what it's like to live without parents, and they both learn a lot about love. I won't give any spoilers away, but the relationship between Jordan and Karen is something very unique and something I haven't seen in a lot of books. They both have faced terrible tragedy, and it shows in their relationship. Jordan, who has his share of "just being a guy" moments, knows he can't take try to be only superficial with Karen. And though Karen hasn't had much experience with guys, she knows Jordan already understands a part of her that most people around her can't relate to. They have a serious emotional depth that only comes through experiencing the ups and downs of life. Yet even in their adult situation, they still have moments of just being two young people trying to find their way in life. They worry about grades, they think about college, and they try to figure out what sex means to them or doesn't mean. They are real and heartfelt.
Letters to Nowhere is a beautiful piece of literature. It has tragedy, it has depth, it has love, but I think the best thing it leaves you with is hope, no matter what hope may mean to you. 5/5 stars.
Letters to Nowhere was an extremely gripping novel. From the first letter, I felt like I was wrapped in this world of Karen's, a world of heartache and grief and a struggle to hope and accept reality. Her emotions are often raw, but she doesn't always let those close to her know. She writes letters that they will never see, but shows the reader how she really feels. They were frequently short and simple, and in that, very powerful. This isn't a story where tragedy happens and the characters are suddenly okay again. This is a very real and clear display of the impact grief has and how it can carry over into the things we used to enjoy most.
I think what I liked most about this is the powerful hope expressed throughout. None of it is a fake or an oversimplified "everything with be ok eventually" kind. It was the kind of hope that starts with something small, like the ability to say a single sentence with the single most real truth out loud, and it continuously builds over time. It isn't an easy road for Karen, but sometimes just the visual of something to hope for, a new goal, can ease the pain.
As far as categorizing into young or new adult, I think it's a crossover. Jordan and Karen are technically in high school (though high school is not a major part of this story), they face mature issues. They deal with death, or try to, Karen learns what it's like to live without parents, and they both learn a lot about love. I won't give any spoilers away, but the relationship between Jordan and Karen is something very unique and something I haven't seen in a lot of books. They both have faced terrible tragedy, and it shows in their relationship. Jordan, who has his share of "just being a guy" moments, knows he can't take try to be only superficial with Karen. And though Karen hasn't had much experience with guys, she knows Jordan already understands a part of her that most people around her can't relate to. They have a serious emotional depth that only comes through experiencing the ups and downs of life. Yet even in their adult situation, they still have moments of just being two young people trying to find their way in life. They worry about grades, they think about college, and they try to figure out what sex means to them or doesn't mean. They are real and heartfelt.
Letters to Nowhere is a beautiful piece of literature. It has tragedy, it has depth, it has love, but I think the best thing it leaves you with is hope, no matter what hope may mean to you. 5/5 stars.
creative_nicky's review
5.0
Executed with impressive precision, Letters To Nowhere is my new favourite YA contemporary novel. Not only did it inspire me as an individual to treasure every moment - it also left me raw from all the emotions I experienced while reading this book. The story takes place after Karen’s parents are killed in a car accident leaving Karen, a young talented gymnast, an orphan.
What makes this tale so special is Karen’s coping mechanism. When faced with what is likely a life time of questions, she writes letters to her deceased parents - and sometimes quick letters to those around her that are never posted. My heart bled for her throughout the entire book, as I’m sure others will also if you’ve ever lost someone.
Julie Cross, author of Letters To Nowhere, really illustrates her skills as a gifted writer by introducing well rounded and distinctive characters that you will instantly love, or instantly hate. Guiding the reader through a delicate choreography of emotions, Julie Cross gave a solid in depth look inside the gymnastic world, as well as a personal look into the mind, body and soul of an athlete. Upon completing the novel I instantly felt a loss for Karen and could easily envision what the future held for all the characters. It is, without a doubt, the kind of book that stays with you for a while.
Letters To Nowhere is so well written that I immediately pressed my fiancé to read the book, and he too enjoyed the book thoroughly. Without having any prior knowledge of gymnastics, I can guarantee by the end that you’ll be watching the Olympics next time with a better understanding of what these athletes go through.
If you enjoy reading books that are well written, interesting, and full of characters that you can’t help but instantly bond with, than this book is for you.
I gave Letters To Nowhere 5 out of 5 hearts.
What makes this tale so special is Karen’s coping mechanism. When faced with what is likely a life time of questions, she writes letters to her deceased parents - and sometimes quick letters to those around her that are never posted. My heart bled for her throughout the entire book, as I’m sure others will also if you’ve ever lost someone.
Julie Cross, author of Letters To Nowhere, really illustrates her skills as a gifted writer by introducing well rounded and distinctive characters that you will instantly love, or instantly hate. Guiding the reader through a delicate choreography of emotions, Julie Cross gave a solid in depth look inside the gymnastic world, as well as a personal look into the mind, body and soul of an athlete. Upon completing the novel I instantly felt a loss for Karen and could easily envision what the future held for all the characters. It is, without a doubt, the kind of book that stays with you for a while.
Letters To Nowhere is so well written that I immediately pressed my fiancé to read the book, and he too enjoyed the book thoroughly. Without having any prior knowledge of gymnastics, I can guarantee by the end that you’ll be watching the Olympics next time with a better understanding of what these athletes go through.
If you enjoy reading books that are well written, interesting, and full of characters that you can’t help but instantly bond with, than this book is for you.
I gave Letters To Nowhere 5 out of 5 hearts.
melbsreads's review
4.0
4.25 stars.
This was surprisingly adorable.
When I first started this, I was like "Oh please, this book is clearly going to be 900% contrivance". Like, teenage girl's parents die in a car accident. She moves in with her gymnastics coach and his hot son. Sparks fly while she also achieves her gymnastic dreams. It sounds cheesier than the King Island Dairy on Camembert day.
And to some extent, it is. But it's also ridiculously cute and surprisingly funny at times. I mean, HE GOES TAMPON SHOPPING WITH HER LIKE TWO DAYS AFTER MEETING HER. It's pretty feelsy as Karen deals with her grief. The relationship between Karen and Jordan was sweet and it didn't feel instalove-y. I also enjoyed Karen coming to realise that her parents weren't perfect, and that her coach is an actual human being.
So. I went in expecting extreme cheese, and I came out wishing the Olympic gymnastics had been shown in Australia at a decent time. But LOL NOPE, we suck at gymnastics. Sigh.
This was surprisingly adorable.
When I first started this, I was like "Oh please, this book is clearly going to be 900% contrivance". Like, teenage girl's parents die in a car accident. She moves in with her gymnastics coach and his hot son. Sparks fly while she also achieves her gymnastic dreams. It sounds cheesier than the King Island Dairy on Camembert day.
And to some extent, it is. But it's also ridiculously cute and surprisingly funny at times. I mean, HE GOES TAMPON SHOPPING WITH HER LIKE TWO DAYS AFTER MEETING HER. It's pretty feelsy as Karen deals with her grief. The relationship between Karen and Jordan was sweet and it didn't feel instalove-y. I also enjoyed Karen coming to realise that her parents weren't perfect, and that her coach is an actual human being.
So. I went in expecting extreme cheese, and I came out wishing the Olympic gymnastics had been shown in Australia at a decent time. But LOL NOPE, we suck at gymnastics. Sigh.
colormeblueex's review
5.0
4.5 stars.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
This story was incredible. It is the journey that Karen faces in the months after her parents are killed in a car accident. She is struggling to get past this loss, as any teenager would be, and the only things that seem to help are doing more daring gymnastics tricks and her coach's son, Jordan. Jordan is dealing with his own issues as well and they seem to be trying to use each other for help. Karen is struggling with many things and the title "Letters to Nowhere" is very creative. Karen writes these letters to help her cope. I think that it was a very clever idea and it really allowed you to get inside Karen's head and really feel for what she was going through. This story really made me think about this incredible loss she was feeling and there were many points where I was crying along with Karen. The story is heart-breakingly lovable. I just wanted Karen to be everything she could and win everything. One thing I enjoyed was the lack of a really intense fight or break-up between the main couple. I think this was a nice change from many of the other stories I read. The romance was almost a secondary aspect to Karen's life in general and having gymnastics added pulled at my heart strings also. This was a great, emotional story that will stick with me for a while.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
This story was incredible. It is the journey that Karen faces in the months after her parents are killed in a car accident. She is struggling to get past this loss, as any teenager would be, and the only things that seem to help are doing more daring gymnastics tricks and her coach's son, Jordan. Jordan is dealing with his own issues as well and they seem to be trying to use each other for help. Karen is struggling with many things and the title "Letters to Nowhere" is very creative. Karen writes these letters to help her cope. I think that it was a very clever idea and it really allowed you to get inside Karen's head and really feel for what she was going through. This story really made me think about this incredible loss she was feeling and there were many points where I was crying along with Karen. The story is heart-breakingly lovable. I just wanted Karen to be everything she could and win everything. One thing I enjoyed was the lack of a really intense fight or break-up between the main couple. I think this was a nice change from many of the other stories I read. The romance was almost a secondary aspect to Karen's life in general and having gymnastics added pulled at my heart strings also. This was a great, emotional story that will stick with me for a while.
micaelabeck's review against another edition
5.0
Ay, me encantó! Es un libro que realmente trata la muerte de los padres de Karen, pero sin caer en ese pozo profundo de la depresión y todo eso. Ella es realmente una chica que está tratando de superar el horroroso accidente donde mueren sus padres. Y encuentra a Jordan, que es el hijo de su entrenador de Gimnasia (el cual la lleva a vivir a su casa y se hace cargo de ella legalmente). Y Jordan también acarrea su propio infierno personal e intenta ayudarla a ella. Se enamoran, y todos esos pequeños momentos Jaren son hermosos, porque hacen que el libro tenga sentido.
Son 5 estrellas que me encantan dar!
Son 5 estrellas que me encantan dar!
reader_fictions's review
4.0
Fun fact about me: sports are super not my thing. The only time I ever watch them is during the Olympics, because I can handle sports-watching about once every two years. Generally, I’m like “Oh, look, he kicked the ball. Clearly, that merits applause.” For all my lack of spirit about sports though, I have an odd attraction to YA novels about less popular sports. Cricket or curling? I would be all over that. I just finished Being Sloane Jacobs with ice hockey and figure skating, and now Letters to Nowhere with gymnastics. Based on the title, I really didn’t know what to make of Letters to Nowhere (frankly I was petrified of some sort of The Lake House scenario), but Cross’ contemporary novel is a sweet story about dealing with grief, building family where you find it, and, of course, gymnastics.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
More...