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michalice's review
4.0
When I was approached by the author to review Make It Count, it didn't take me long to say yes. The whole concept of being able to see someone day of death really fascinated me, and I had to know how this was portrayed within the pages.
Casey, the protagonist, hates touching people, hates knowing how long some has left to live. She manages to avoid contact with home schooling, and passing this 'gift' off as a phobia of germs. But her thoughts soon start to change with the arrival of PJ, someone whos day of death is imminent, but also who Casey is attracted to. She soon finds herself torn between following her heart and making each day count, or following her brain and cutting all ties.
Casey was a character who I instantly loved, she has curves and isn't afraid to let the reader know, which was a very refreshing change. I love her random thoughts, snarky comments, and her pranks on her brothers.
Make It Count was a book that drew me in, not only with the plot but also the characters. After reading how much Casey struggled with this 'gift' and how when she tries to save someone it failed, it made it clear to see that what Casey can do isn't necessary a good thing, and seeing how much she draws into herself was sad. Imagine having to take moonlit walks on the beach to avoid other people, and not just as a romantic stroll, having to have PPE every day with Sunday your time to wear whatever you feel like.
PJ was someone who I wasn't sure about, just because he comes across as too over confident and sure of himself. But he did start to grow on me as the book progressed, especially how he helps Casey's brother get into kiddy motocross, and wants to try to raise funds to keep it open for little ones. Seeing him as their teacher really shows him in a completely different light.
The ending of Make It Count was not something I expecting, from the connection to the almost final scene. But I did like how it was all explained and how the dots connect and explain reactions earlier on within the pages.
Final Verdict
I really enjoyed Make It Count, and after a bit of author website stalking I am super happy to see another book in the works for publication next year.
Casey, the protagonist, hates touching people, hates knowing how long some has left to live. She manages to avoid contact with home schooling, and passing this 'gift' off as a phobia of germs. But her thoughts soon start to change with the arrival of PJ, someone whos day of death is imminent, but also who Casey is attracted to. She soon finds herself torn between following her heart and making each day count, or following her brain and cutting all ties.
Casey was a character who I instantly loved, she has curves and isn't afraid to let the reader know, which was a very refreshing change. I love her random thoughts, snarky comments, and her pranks on her brothers.
Anyone who thinks the wind in your hair is romantic didn't eat all their crusts and end up with my mop of curls.
Make It Count was a book that drew me in, not only with the plot but also the characters. After reading how much Casey struggled with this 'gift' and how when she tries to save someone it failed, it made it clear to see that what Casey can do isn't necessary a good thing, and seeing how much she draws into herself was sad. Imagine having to take moonlit walks on the beach to avoid other people, and not just as a romantic stroll, having to have PPE every day with Sunday your time to wear whatever you feel like.
PJ was someone who I wasn't sure about, just because he comes across as too over confident and sure of himself. But he did start to grow on me as the book progressed, especially how he helps Casey's brother get into kiddy motocross, and wants to try to raise funds to keep it open for little ones. Seeing him as their teacher really shows him in a completely different light.
The ending of Make It Count was not something I expecting, from the connection to the almost final scene. But I did like how it was all explained and how the dots connect and explain reactions earlier on within the pages.
Final Verdict
I really enjoyed Make It Count, and after a bit of author website stalking I am super happy to see another book in the works for publication next year.
forever_fictional's review
3.0
Make It Count is about a girl who, when touching someone, can see the number of days they have yet to live. Sort of like the series Numbers but with a bigger focus on romance. When Casey meets PJ, she can't stop herself from falling but, one look at his number, tells her she should've kept her distance.
This was a good story- it had a nice romance, good characters and an interesting plot. The love story was cute to follow and I had many theories of what would happen... all of them a lot more devastating and morbid than what actually happened which was maybe a little disappointing- happily ever afters can sometimes feel like a cheat.
Full review: https://forever-fictional.blogspot.com/2017/11/make-it-count-tamar-sloan-non-spoiler.html
This was a good story- it had a nice romance, good characters and an interesting plot. The love story was cute to follow and I had many theories of what would happen... all of them a lot more devastating and morbid than what actually happened which was maybe a little disappointing- happily ever afters can sometimes feel like a cheat.
Full review: https://forever-fictional.blogspot.com/2017/11/make-it-count-tamar-sloan-non-spoiler.html
tenthomp's review
4.0
This year I've really embraced a new genre. I've always shied away from paranormals or books with even paranormal elements mostly because I believed them to be unbelievable and not really worth my time... Why? When there is no way this could ever be real. Let's just say, I've learned a lot from the paranormal genre especially with reading 5 or more this year.
"Touch is so fundamental to human life, but so is death. And the two were inescapably linked for me."
Make it Count is a young adult romance with paranormal elements. Casey is a teenage girl living in Australia with the ability to see a person's number of days left on this earth with just a touch. An ability that has caged her and sworn off the touch of people other than her family. But when she meets PJ, she learns what the numbers really mean and what life is really about. Watching PJ learn his self-worth and watching Casey live a life worth living was so inspiring. This book definitely showed the bigger picture. True to YA, a lesson always lurks just below the surface and this one screams YOLO!
"Do our choices change our trajectories? Or did destiny set the ball in motion a gazillion years ago, with the the infinite outcomes carefully plotted out, the intersections and journeys predetermined as we cling to the illusion we have some sort of control."
The writing is definitely good, but it has a different feel to it and some different slang and terminology as the setting is in Australia, but nothing that really took from the story. I do wish there would have been some more communication between Casey and PJ even if it was just them getting to know each other. But the touch was so heavily relied on for their relationship. Some of the transitions were a little weak where I had to go back and make sure I didn't skip a sentence, but overall, a very enjoyable read. I look forward to more from Tamar.
"Touch is so fundamental to human life, but so is death. And the two were inescapably linked for me."
Make it Count is a young adult romance with paranormal elements. Casey is a teenage girl living in Australia with the ability to see a person's number of days left on this earth with just a touch. An ability that has caged her and sworn off the touch of people other than her family. But when she meets PJ, she learns what the numbers really mean and what life is really about. Watching PJ learn his self-worth and watching Casey live a life worth living was so inspiring. This book definitely showed the bigger picture. True to YA, a lesson always lurks just below the surface and this one screams YOLO!
"Do our choices change our trajectories? Or did destiny set the ball in motion a gazillion years ago, with the the infinite outcomes carefully plotted out, the intersections and journeys predetermined as we cling to the illusion we have some sort of control."
The writing is definitely good, but it has a different feel to it and some different slang and terminology as the setting is in Australia, but nothing that really took from the story. I do wish there would have been some more communication between Casey and PJ even if it was just them getting to know each other. But the touch was so heavily relied on for their relationship. Some of the transitions were a little weak where I had to go back and make sure I didn't skip a sentence, but overall, a very enjoyable read. I look forward to more from Tamar.
ladywithaquill's review
5.0
Mind=Blown!
Truly, I think this is one of the most crazy, funny, interesting books I have read in a very long time. Tamar Sloan has written a book that makes you think, while also making you laugh and cry. There were literally moments while reading where I yelled at the book, and towards the end, I actually physically closed my eyes, not wanting to see what would happen next. Of course, I needed to know the ending, and I had to open them to keep on reading, to remind myself this was not a movie. This is one of those books where I will literally just shove a copy into someone's hands and say "Read this!" no matter who they are. It's that good.
30,658. 12,042. 19,708. 21.
These are the numbers Casey Morgan sees in her mind when she touches someone with her bare skin. They do not change and they do not lie. These are the days left in a person's life. Harry, Dad, Mom...PJ Sullivan. Homeschooled since she was young, unable to cope with regular schooling due to her curse, she has few friends and rarely leaves the house. But that all changes one day when she opens the door and runs right into the hottest hunk of man she has ever seen. PJ Sullivan is older, rides motorcycles, and makes her feel things she has never felt before. One day she gives in and kisses him, and his number shocks her. Now it's a race against time to love him as much as possible. And save him, if she can.
The whole concept of Casey's curse is fascinating to me, and I love that Tamar Sloan shows the readers what Casey does with it at the end of the book. It really teaches a valuable lesson in accepting who you are and realizing you have a role in the world. Casey's inner monologue was hysterical, and I loved her relationships with her family and her friend. Though she tried to fight her feelings for PJ, knowing it could never be more, she found that her heart was much stronger than her brain. Feelings won over logic, and it just goes to show that sometimes following your heart is the right way to go. PJ was perhaps one of my favorite heroes in a romance book. One, because he took things slow and respected the fact that Casey was new at relationships, and Two, because he was a genuinely good guy who loved kids and wanted to make their lives better. If more guys were like PJ, I would probably be unable to resist them too. I understand Casey's plight.
This is the first book I have read by Tamar, but it most certainly will not be the last. Amazing book by an amazing writer. I expect great things out of this author!
**I received a free copy from the author and this is my honest review.**
Truly, I think this is one of the most crazy, funny, interesting books I have read in a very long time. Tamar Sloan has written a book that makes you think, while also making you laugh and cry. There were literally moments while reading where I yelled at the book, and towards the end, I actually physically closed my eyes, not wanting to see what would happen next. Of course, I needed to know the ending, and I had to open them to keep on reading, to remind myself this was not a movie. This is one of those books where I will literally just shove a copy into someone's hands and say "Read this!" no matter who they are. It's that good.
30,658. 12,042. 19,708. 21.
These are the numbers Casey Morgan sees in her mind when she touches someone with her bare skin. They do not change and they do not lie. These are the days left in a person's life. Harry, Dad, Mom...PJ Sullivan. Homeschooled since she was young, unable to cope with regular schooling due to her curse, she has few friends and rarely leaves the house. But that all changes one day when she opens the door and runs right into the hottest hunk of man she has ever seen. PJ Sullivan is older, rides motorcycles, and makes her feel things she has never felt before. One day she gives in and kisses him, and his number shocks her. Now it's a race against time to love him as much as possible. And save him, if she can.
The whole concept of Casey's curse is fascinating to me, and I love that Tamar Sloan shows the readers what Casey does with it at the end of the book. It really teaches a valuable lesson in accepting who you are and realizing you have a role in the world. Casey's inner monologue was hysterical, and I loved her relationships with her family and her friend. Though she tried to fight her feelings for PJ, knowing it could never be more, she found that her heart was much stronger than her brain. Feelings won over logic, and it just goes to show that sometimes following your heart is the right way to go. PJ was perhaps one of my favorite heroes in a romance book. One, because he took things slow and respected the fact that Casey was new at relationships, and Two, because he was a genuinely good guy who loved kids and wanted to make their lives better. If more guys were like PJ, I would probably be unable to resist them too. I understand Casey's plight.
This is the first book I have read by Tamar, but it most certainly will not be the last. Amazing book by an amazing writer. I expect great things out of this author!
**I received a free copy from the author and this is my honest review.**
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