Cheryl McIntyre is a
mother, author, and insomniac, as well as a reader, movie critic, and
incredibly bad singer. She’s lived in the same area of Ohio her whole life,
though she secretly has dreams of moving somewhere a little warmer—preferably
near a beach.
Her life revolves
around four things: family, music, books, and really bad scary movies. If she
doesn’t have a kid on her hip, an iPod in her hand, or a laptop in front of her
face, it’s one of those rare moments when she’s actually sleeping.
You can follow her
author page on Facebook where she lives part time. On Goodreads, which is like
crack for avid readers. Or on Twitter, though it’s rumored she has yet to
master the art of tweeting.
Review for Sometimes Never
Sometimes Never deals with raw emotions and real life drama, and issues, as well as a strong relationship bond
Broken and facing so much as a teenager can either make or break you. What Hope has gone through with her life is tough at times, but is highly relatable to many teens. She's tough and that toughness is basically her defense in life. Abused, neglected, and dealing with a drug and alcoholic mother who only cared about her next fix, until her death, leaves Hope alone, and in the care of a foster family. Dealing with her issues, she becomes a cutter who craves the pain. Hope has a lot of great attributes, she's a defender to many, she is a drummer, a gothic, hair color changer, loyal friend, and she is obbssesed with candy. She's tough at times, and cocky, even with her friends. Her foster family and friends seem to be her saving grace.
Her best friend, Guy is a no-holds bar, funny, and loyal friend and "brother" to Hope. He's gay and I LOVED his character!! He really was the sunshine in this book! You just couldn't not like him. There were a variety of secondary characters in this book that at first were thrown at you at a quick pace, and at times I was left confused trying to piece who was who and how they were part of Hope's life.
Mason, you love him, you hate him, but one thing is for sure is his love for Hope. He was totally taken by her within the first pages. They melded together like peanut butter and chocolate. He had his own broken past, and sometimes his emotions overtook him. His father passed away six years earlier and left him with responsibility of being the man of the house. His mom constantly moves, him and his younger brother from place to place, having a hard time settling down. Mason, has a hard time connecting with people at times, and dealt with his issues through anger and sex.
This book is told in dual pov's from Mason and Hope. At times I felt confused when reading from Hope's pov. It seemed like so much was thrown at you from her pov, and at first I felt lost trying to piece everything, and everyone together, and how they fit in her life, but soon I was able to figure it all out, and got used to her "voice". Hope and Mason had a strong connection, right from the start, although Hope was non-committal to the idea of finding or liking Mason. It just seemed like the stars perfectly lined up for these two. There likes were similar, their dislikes complemented each other. Hope loved Oreo's but only the white cream, Mason liked only the cookie part. there "relationship" was like a roller coaster at times, and was emotional and deep, dark and light. Hope, having a dark past, had a tough time with dealing with Mason's love for her. She was dark, moody, and abusive at times toward Mason. It was a push/pull relationship of sorts.
Sometimes Never, felt very realistic, and intense at times, and although I did enjoy it, for the most part, I really couldn't put myself 100% into the storyline. More than likely it was because of the angst, and emotions that I really didn't care for. I will say that many people enjoyed this book, and it may help people deal with their own issues, for me it was OK, but I would recommend it to fans that like realistic, dark, angsty reads.
3.5/5 Stars |
“What would happen if I cut there? Right across my face where everyone could see. Everyone would know. Maybe someone would finally stop me.”
“Mason, I’m ruined. I can never give you what you deserve. I’m incapable of loving someone like—like you want. I will never be able to do it right. I will never deserve to be loved.”
My breathing is erratic. I shove myself to my knees and grasp her arms, pulling her toward me once again. “Sometimes never is a distorted perception. I love you, Hope. And I’m not the only one. I know you care about me. I see it in your eyes. I feel it. Everybody needs love. Everybody. And some people need it more than others. You’re a liar if you say you don’t. I’ll do that for you. I’ll love you. All you have to do is let me.”
The wind whispers against my back as if giving me a nudge toward her and I take it as a sign. I propel myself into her, pushing my bare skin to hers. I need to feel her. I need her to feel me.
This is real.
Blackbird Review
A great filler, from the end of Sometimes Never to the epilogue.
While I had issues with the first book. I actually enjoyed Blackbird, more than Sometimes Never. It filled in where Hope and Mason's life continued too. College, staying together, breaking up, getting back together. A growth of sorts as they try to make their lives together work, and heal together.
Without spoiling this short novella at about 100 pages, or so. I can say things were sorted out and you actually felt good at where these two ended up.
4/5 Stars |
These both sounds saooo good. Great review. I will have to see if I can find them.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
hello, isn1t this blog supposed to be today's stop for the hunt is on contest for ARe? I can't seem to find a link to it here anywhere!
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of the first book and glad you wrote the second novella to give us a ending with them a little more older.
ReplyDeleteQUESTION: How come you don't have the All Romance Hunt Hop blog posted yet? Your day is 3/20! And we must have it to be entered for the prize! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow. Sounds great. I like the dark angst, but have to be in the right frame of mind when reading it. Thanks for sharing about these.
ReplyDeleteGuy sounds cool, wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteRaw emotions and a strong romance sounds good to me! Mason's love for hope sounds like it makes the book even if you don't know what to think of him.
ReplyDeleteBrandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog