So I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it on here, but I’ve been experiencing a bit of an “end of year” slump. After months and months of reading at a breakneck speed, I’ve hit a bump in the road. Because, and I don’t know if you’re like me, when I read an insane amount a lot of that starts to blur together. I get to the point where it’s harder for things to stand out to me.
Annnd why am I talking about this? Well, this book broke through that barrier of samey-sameiness and did what so many books are failing to do for me right now. It was different.
The premise itself- the death of a patriarch, a child switched at birth, and a wait to find out the truth- gripped me from the start. Yet that was far from the only thing to keep me invested. Not only was the writing style crisp, clean and intriguing, but I also found that it was the characters which had me wanting more. Each one had their own distinct story, personality and secrets… There were so many secrets woven into the plot that I was hooked from beginning to end.
Now I don’t normally go for family drama, so it speaks volumes how *crazily* invested I got in this family’s drama. So much so that I was teary-eyed by the end and sorry to put the book down! While I did have a niggling point of contention with the ending, which I won’t mention for fear of spoilers, this was a powerful story of loss, family and honesty. James Cudney, who you can follow on here, did a fantastic job with his debut.
Rating: 4/5 bananas
So have you read this? Do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
I read it. Caleb was my favorite. It’s still hit or miss if I like Olivia though cause I definitely was not her biggest fan at the beginning and throughout the secret revealing phase. Good debut novel for sure though by our friend! 🙂
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Awesome! I really liked Caleb- although Ethan was my favourite 😉 Fair enough! Absolutely agree there 😀
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I read it too. enjoyed it a lot, even though, like you, i’m not into family dramas – and yes, the tears were certainly there at the end.
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Yes, I know right, it was really well done. It was great that a book that wasn’t our usual genre could have that impact!
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I was most impressed at how well Jay did with juggling so many characters. He did an impressive work interweaving their relationships!
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He really did!
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Completely agree with you there!!
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Yes. Loved it. Loved the secrets, secrets and even more secrets! I’ve already had words with Jay about making me cry 😄
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LOL – when I finished it, I sent him a FB message letting him know he did something VERY VERY few authors ever do – he made me cry. I maybe, MAYBE, cry over a book once every other year – but he broke that barrier.
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Hmph. He said he was sorry but not really 😄
It really was an emotional ride.
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😂😂
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Ahh I know right!! I loved how the secrets just kept building! hahaha 😂😂
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I read it and loved it. It definitely made it to the list of top favorites of this year. And I definitely had some tear in the end as well.
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Brilliant!! So glad you liked it too (I remember you did from your fantastic review 😉 )
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Nice review! Caleb, Ethan, and Diana were my favorites. I thought Olivia was better near the end, but still too interfering for me. It’ll be interesting to see how she develops in subsequent books.
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Thank you so much- yes to all of those- though I think Ethan just edged it out for me 😉 hehe I get that 😉 Me too!! 😀
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I’m so totally in love with this book! It’s definitely in my top 5 of 2017. Caleb & Zach are my favorites. I’ve actually read it twice and am working on a third time. Such a great debut!
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Oh wow that’s fantastic 😀
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Glad to hear this helped you see the light! I’m the absolute same, I totally start mixing up stories and characters and even dreaming about certain books… It’s insane xD
Sometimes we need to just chill and take a break because too much reading and blogging ends up making us a bit cuckoo hahaha Not that we’d have it any other way 😛
Great review!
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hehehe I know right 😉 hahaha that’s exactly how I feel by the end of the year lol!! 😉 Too true!! Thank you so much!
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WOW! Thank you so much for this wonderful review. I am so appreciative not only that you read and enjoyed it, but you took a chance on me. Thank you so much!!!
I try to put a lot of my emotions and thoughts into my writing, without sounding too over the top. Some of the stories in this one were definitely intense, and when you combine then together, it can be a lot. I’ve got the sequel planned out, but I’m still ironing out a few minor issues in Father Figure, the separate standalone second book, before I can write the Glass sequel.
I’m glad I could help with the slump! I’m going to link your review on my author page! 🙂
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You’re very welcome! It really was no problem- I really was happy to check it out and really enjoyed it!! 😀
I think you did it brilliantly- I really appreciated your writing style in particular. I completely get that and relate 🙂 Awesome!
hehe I was relieved for that too 😉 Thanks very much! 🙂
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Thank you for the comment on my writing style. That always means the most to me. I enjoy building plots and characters, which come easily to me. But the actual writing style, the POV, the dialogue versus narrative or prose, the perspective…. sometimes I feel a bit dry or over-indulgent. I have worked hard to weed that out of Father Figure. The style is how I talk in my head… whether it’s right or wrong, lol!
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You’re very welcome! Ah I didn’t find that at all- I thought it was perfectly balanced and really liked it 😊 I look forward to seeing how it develops in Father Figure though- I’m sure it’ll be great! 😀 hahaha
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Totally know what you mean. It happens sometimes when nothing really grips my attention. Usually it’s because I’ve started a bunch of books at once but don’t feel motivated to complete any. Good to see this one broke it for you.
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Yes I completely understand that. I’m actually at that point right now lol! Hopefully one of them will edge ahead of the others and I won’t have that problem soon 😉 But yeah, this managed to break through to me in a way a lot of books weren’t when I read it.
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I plan on reading Watching Glass Shatter this month, and I’m really excited for it. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about the book, and your review only added to the fire! And I’m sorry to hear about your ‘slump.’ It can be very frustrating.
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Awesome!! I really enjoyed it- so I definitely think it’s worth picking up 😀 I hope you like it too!! Ah yes, it is a bit frustrating, I just think it’s cos it’s coming to the end of the year tbh.
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I can totally see that. Especially if you’ve had an awesome year of reading. I tend to lose steam as well!
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Yes precisely!!
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I think the author BRIBED you with bananas! *shines light in face* Admit it, you took dirty bananas, didn’t you, DIDN’T YOU?!?!
I know what you mean about sameness. Even blogging about various things gets monotonous after a while. Glad you broke through with this book though
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Hahaha 😂😂Oh no!! You caught me!!! Here, have some bananas to stay silent 🍌🍌🍌
Yeah I know right. But this one really managed to pull me out of that for a bit (then I read a couple of generic ya books *sigh*)
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Oh, some ya? You’re a masochist…
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hehehe I know 😉
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I am so glad you enjoyed that book!! Yes, I read that book more than twice, but it never fails to move me and got me all teary-eyed!!! I literally cried my eyes out in the last 10% of the book.
Truly a stunning debut novel, I think!
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Thank you! I really did 😀 Oh wow so glad you liked it!! And I totally get that- it is very moving!!
Definitely agree!! 😀
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It is nice to hear that James nailed it with his novel. So far I’ve only heard great things about this family drama and am loving the sound of how well all these characters were interlaced together. Awesome review as always! 🙂
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He definitely did 😀 It was done so well- I really recommend it!! Thanks so much! 🙂
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Fabulous review !! 😱😱 Saw this book going on for a while in the blogosphere and congratz to James for publishing it 😍👏!! 4 bananas out of you is convincing enough for me 😂😂
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Thank you so much!! 😀 Yes he’s brilliant 😀 Awesome!! 😀 😂
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I might just give this one a shot, in spite of my aversion for family drama as well.
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awesome!! I really wasn’t sure what to expect, cos I never normally read this type of book, but it was great! Hope you like it if you try it 🙂
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Thanks for the 411!
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No problem 😉
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I am very glad this book broke through the same-saminess of the big book blur for you! While I don’t think it’s particularly a book for me, I really liked reading your review 😀
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Thank you!! I get that- I wasn’t sure about it, cos it didn’t seem like it was for me, but I picked up a sample anyway and got totally hooked (not that I’m trying to persuade you to read it or anything 😉 )
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Hahaha no, I understand and I am glad it turned out to be a good book for you after all.
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Thanks! 😉
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Whenever I see the premise of books like this I always think they sound interesting- and then I never actually read them. But this is one I’ll be keeping on the backburner for when I eventually decide to shake up the reading routine. Your review makes it sound like it’s worth the extra step, especially in terms of breaking up sameness, and your takes on books show you have good taste 🙂
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Ah I completely get that. I think for this one, I wasn’t really sure if I’d read it because, like I said, it’s not my usual genre. But I was curious and I like Jay, so I tried a sample and was just totally hooked! Aww thank you so much!! That’s so nice of you to say!
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I’ve been experiencing a little bit of an ‘end of year’ slump at the moment. I think for me it’s just that I’ve completed my Goodreads Reading Challenge so I’m not as motivated now there’s no goal to work towards you know? 🙂
Great review though, I’m really glad this was the book that managed to break through all the same-y same books out there for you. It does sound like a really interesting read so I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😀
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Ah I really relate- I’m the same- it’s hard to motivate myself now unfortunately.
Thank you so much! 😀 It really did a great job- it felt so different and it was just done so well that I couldn’t stop reading it. I was completely obsessed with it and fell in love with the family in it 🙂
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It’s just that end of the year feeling I guess. 🙂
That’s all right! 😀
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haha yes!
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The good reviews for this book are just blowing in left, right and centre! It’s absolutely wonderful to see and I have no doubt I will have to read this book, as well. With your seal of approval on top of other good reviews- how could one not want to read it? 🙂
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Yes!! I think they’re really well deserved 😀 Fantastic!! I really hope you like it 🙂
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Loved this book! I’m still amazed that it’s his debut! Glad it broke fresh ground for you. I have the same blur together problem! I’ve been in the slump for a couple weeks now. I even had to quit reading for a week and go on a Netflix binge to blank out my mind for a bit lol
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Ah I’m glad!! I completely agree- it was so impressively polished!! Yes- I know what you mean- sometimes I just need a break from reading too!! Lol!
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LOL
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Love this book!!
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Glad you did 😊
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Jay sent me a copy to review and hopefully I will be able to squeeze it in soon! Fantastic Review!!! I can’t wait to read this! I am having a bit of a slump myself.😓 But yay for your review!🤗😗
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Wonderful!! I really hope you like it! 😀 Thank you so much!! Oh I do hope it helps- it definitely did for me- it’s very gripping and absorbing! 🙂 I couldn’t really leave it for long 😉
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Wow! Sounds awesome!! I can’t wait to read it! Yay!😍😄
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Well I didn’t know an end of the year slump was a thing but I am right in the middle of a bad one haha.
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hahaha well I made up the term, so it’s totally a thing 😉
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How else’s are terms going to be made ? We need you haha
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Great review Orangutan! ♥️ 4 bananas is quite a feat but I’m loving how you talked about the book being different… we ALL need different… High praise!
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Thank you!! ❤ Yes I absolutely agree with you there 🙂
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