Henry Page has never been in love. He fancies himself a hopeless romantic, but the slo-mo, heart palpitating, can’t-eat-can’t-sleep kind of love that he’s been hoping for just hasn’t been in the cards for him—at least not yet. Instead, he’s been happy to focus on his grades, on getting into a semi-decent college and finally becoming editor of his school newspaper. Then Grace Town walks into his first period class on the third Tuesday of senior year and he knows everything’s about to change.
Grace isn’t who Henry pictured as his dream girl—she walks with a cane, wears oversized boys’ clothes, and rarely seems to shower. But when Grace and Henry are both chosen to edit the school paper, he quickly finds himself falling for her. It’s obvious there’s something broken about Grace, but it seems to make her even more beautiful to Henry, and he wants nothing more than to help her put the pieces back together again. And yet, this isn’t your average story of boy meets girl. Krystal Sutherland’s brilliant debut is equal parts wit and heartbreak, a potent reminder of the bittersweet bliss that is first love.
The simplest way to put it is this book broke my heart in two. It’s up there with All the Bright Places – it is absolutely soul crushing.
It’s this old Japanese art form where they mend broken pottery with seams of gold.
I have no idea where to start with this book. I think I have a love/hate relationship right now, although I’m sure that will change as the whole thing seeps in. I just have to say this book completely enveloped me. My head was full of thoughts and sadness and heartbreak for the duration of this book – especially the second half. So let’s try and think about this logically. What about the characters?
Well, I liked them. They gave a relatable and real aspect to the story, one that I could find an easy emotional connection to (trust me, the tears flowed!). I can see a lot of people not liking them because of the amount of stuff they simply screw up, but to be honest that’s life. And it’s good that this isn’t a fairy-tale, because neither is life.
Like, they glue all the shattered pieces back together, and when it’s done it’s covered in these webs of gold veins.
To move on, I loved the plot. It kept me on my toes, guessing what was going to happen next. I did find it hard at times to keep track of everything – but I think that’s because this story simply made my head a little fuzzy. It overwhelmed me so I didn’t even know my left from my right…I was simply confused – just like the main character. And I love that Krystal made me feel that way – made me feel like I was living through just as much of a haze as
They do it because they believe that some things are more beautiful when they’ve been broken.
Overall, I still don’t know what the heck to say. I still don’t know how to describe such emotion. Which is ironic, considering this book is full of emotion written in words. But it does also explain how hard it is to write. How hard it is to say how we feel. This book is pure, real and honest. It’s not happy, not even close. But it’s still one of the best books I’ve ever read…simply because it made me feel something.
☽ ☽ ☽ ☽
4 out of 5 moons
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
The Books are Everywhere 
I really like books that make you feel something, too. Going to have to check this one out! 😛
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Good luck, it’ll break your heart 😉
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Well, I could always use a good cry every now and then. 😉
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Don’t worry, you’re not alone 😛
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Thanks, now I have Keep Holding On stuck in my head. 😆
They used to play some commercial with that song, and it was always REALLY loud…
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Haha sorry!
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The funny part is after you said that, someone asked me if they should keep holding on. 😆
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Omg XD
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I know, right? 😆
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