Haunted by Susan Oloier

Do you ever bother writing book reviews for books you love?

I didn't used to -- until I learned how TRULY vital and heart-warming they are for authors. It's like anything else in life, a kind word goes a long way for both the speaker and the hearer. The more generous we are by nature, the better the world around us becomes. Period.

That said, I don't typically share reviews here for books I love, but you're going to see a few coming up on my blog -- not because I'm becoming a book blogger -- but because I've read some amazing ones lately that were penned, er, typed by people I know! And they deserve to be spotlighted because writing an amazing book is STINKIN' HARD WORK!

So today I'm sharing:

Seventeen-year-old Hailey Steele killed her boyfriend in a car wreck, which fills her with guilt and self-loathing. So when Eli Carter enters her life, Hailey persistently denies her attraction and developing feelings for him. It’s wrong to like someone else when your boyfriend is dead. It’s easier to cope in other ways, like changing schools and using alcohol.

Meanwhile, Jeremy McClure—not realizing he’s dead—waits in the cemetery for his girlfriend to arrive. He’s certain they agreed to meet. Why else would he be here? The last time Jeremy saw Hailey, they were cruising home on a dark and rain-slicked road after an underage party. What he doesn’t expect is an encounter with someone else.

Eli Carter has a jaded past. His junior year was full of skeletons, and his closet thrown wide open for the entire high school to see. But he manned up, and still got burned. With new girl Hailey, Eli has the chance for a fresh start, someone who knows nothing about his past. That is, if she’ll ever give him the time of day.

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My Twenty Cents:

Writing that Makes My Toes Curl

Hailey is a star in her own right, and to see her topple from having it all to questioning whether she deserves to be loved, well it broke my heart -- but how often do we get sucked into a downward spiral and can't see past our own misery? Eli is rock awesome. He's been through his own crazy trauma and has determined to forgo women altogether...until cute, tortured Hailey walks by. 

I knew when I picked up this book I was asking for an emotional roller coaster, but I didn't anticipate how much I would identify with the feelings of guilt and self depreciation. It really got me thinking about how I sometimes carry more weight than is necessary. I repeat, it got me thinking. Above and beyond that, reading Susan's words was like eating literary candy. Sweet imagery, so poetic, luscious prose.

I had to stay up until 3 in the morning to make sure these two would resolve their issues, and I enjoyed every moment. A beautiful story, tasty prose, and a plot that leaves you pondering in self reflection? What more could you ask for in a book?

Do you like contemporary stories? Is there a book out there you've read, loved and should get off your lazy keester and probably (DEFINITELY) review? What is it about a story that really grabs you?

Speaking of reviews... I woke up to THIS on Saturday. (Titled, "Not at All What I Expected.")

OH YEAH, and sign up for my SUPER STELLAR AND OH SO FUN Blogfest, eh? (DO IT NOW!!!) I promise there will be cheese.