Thursday 7 February 2013

WinterHaven's Cupid Cloud Hop: Review: Unbreak My heart by Melissa Walker


Hello everyone, today as part of the WinterHaven's Cupid's Cloud Hop hosted by ladies over at WinterHaven Books I am sharing with you my review of Unbreak My heart by Melissa Walker. For this part of the hop, I had to review a book with the title heart, love or sweetheart in the title and with the poll on the blog, Unbreak My Heart was the book that came out on top. Here's a bit about the book:

Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Publication date: May 22nd 2012
My rating: 3 stars
You can’t help who you fall in love with. It’s a lesson Clementine Williams knows all too well. She’s headed into the summer with a broken heart and zero social life. So even though her parents’ plan to spend the summer (trapped) on their sailboat should make Clem break out in hives, she doesn’t really mind the chance to float away for a while. Even if it means most of her social interaction will be with her nine-year-old sister.

Then she meets James at one of their stops on the Great Loop—a classic sailing track in the US. He and his dad are sailing the same track and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. But will he be able to break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart?

Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story from magazine writer/editor and rising star, Melissa Walker.

My review:

Unbreak My Heart is a poignant read about heartache, testing where friends loyalties lie and trying to leave all the hurt behind and about making a fresh start.

After the great fall out with her best friend Amanda just before school broke out for summer, Clem just wants to get away from it all, she’s become the school pariah, her best friend doesn’t want to know her anymore, so being stuck on a boat with her family for the next three months doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all. But eventually that becomes too much after a while too, being cooped up with her jumbled up thoughts all the time, having no communication with the outside world and having her family watching her constantly. And it’s so difficult moving on without knowing if her friendship with Amanda has totally gone. Can they ever go back to what it was? But then Clem meets James, whose taking the same roundabout trip on his boat with his dad, after a few chance meet ups they start spending more time together and Clem realises she likes his out take on life, it’s as though nothing can ever break him, she decides this is what she wants too, to be strong and real, but has she got the right amount of strength to do so?

After reading the blurb to Unbreak my Heart I didn’t really know whether I would like Clem, she lost her friendship of years with Amanda over a guy, a guy who was her best friend’s boyfriend. But the flashbacks gave a great insight into what really happened, and I don’t condone everything that Clem did, but most of all didn’t do, but I think Amanda was a bit rash in her decision, I wanted to shout at least listen to the poor girl before ditching her.

The Lull in pacing in the present tense did make me more eager to get more of the back story in the alternative flashbacks. I think I actually enjoyed reading the back story, watching the friendship blossom between Amanda and Clem, the introduction of Ethan and how he slowly came in between two best friends more than the present story.

James was a refreshing change that Clem needed in her life, he got Clem the real Clem straight away. He could tell something was bothering her and making her sad, but he didn’t push her about it, but was there whenever she was ready to discuss it. He was also always bouncy and full of life and encouraged Clem to make the most of her life too. Even though Clem wasn’t looking forward to this trip with her family it ended up being one of the best summers for her.

I normally don’t mind books that are left with open endings, but I felt with Unbreak my Heart I needed to know how things would end, after Clem’s constant over thinking and worrying I thought it would have been good to know these answers. But overall I still did enjoy reading Unbreak My Heart, I liked how being around James, helped Clem overcome the guilt and find the real Clem that she had lost all those months ago.

As part of the Winterhaven festivities, the lovely ladies at Winterhaven Books are giving away a 3 book YA contemporary book bundle. Just fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter.



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29 comments:

Christina Fiorelli said...

Christina K. in the rafflecopter

This was an awesome book! I loved it! I loved the characters and it's a lovely story:)

Thank you:)

Lovely review!!:)

Sarah Elizabeth said...

oh dear, I'm not a big fan of open endings either. its good that you enjoyed it overall but i know what you mean - sometimes you feel like you need closure at the end of a book! Thanks for the chance to win - a 3 book bundle no less!

Sarah Elizabeth said...

can't beat chocolate!

NatasaLikes said...

I really want to read this book! My fave is probably a chocolate bunny. Thanks for the giveaway :)

Unknown said...

It sounds pretty interesting. I will have to add to my TBR list. Thanks for sharing your great review. :)

My favorite Valentine's day candy is probably the little candy hearts. I don't really eat them but I like sorting out the sayings I like and giving them to my husband. It's sort of a tradition since our first Valentine's Day 12 years ago. ;)

Brandy @ A Little of the Book Life

Jenny said...

I'm usually not a big fan of open endings either Jasprit, I like answers - lots of them:) Still I really like the sound of this one overall, and I'm intrigued that we get to both look back and forward with Clem as we see what led to her current heartbreak and what begins to heal it. Thanks so much for the chance to win, fantastic review!

Jenny said...

Oops forgot to say my favorite candy - anything chocolate. Preferably Godiva. LOVE that stuff.

Unknown said...

I have this book in my pile but it looks like it's going to have an extended stay for now. Thanks for the insight, Jasprit. :)

Lori L. Clark Art said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lori L. Clark Art said...

This has been on my wish list for awhile now. I've not seen much about it, but it definitely looks like a great read!

I don't eat chocolate anymore -- I like to have fun with the candy hearts with the cute little sayings on them. :)

Unknown said...

Godiva chocolate! :D

Bystander said...

This book sounds darling! Loved the review! And I think I like the little heart saying candies best!

Gabby said...

I have not seen much about this book, but I think I am willing to try. Even though it sounds like something I may not like. I feel like I should give it a go Great review Jasprit.

Gabby~

ps.I prefer candies to chocolate.

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

I like that James has a good influence on Clem. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Jas!

My favorite Valentine's candy is dark chocolate :)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I can never decide what is worse an open interpret your own ending or a cliffhanger. I always feel like I am ripped off. Despite that, this sounds like a good emotional read.

Keertana said...

Funnily enough, the open ending makes me want to read this now. I hadn't been all that interested in it before, but it seems too good to miss. Wonderful review, Jasprit! :)

Livvy said...

This sounds like an interesting read, but I am unsure whether open endings are for me because they either work well or really bad for me.

Great review, Jasprit! :)

Liss Martz said...

Anything with chocolate. Thanks for your review and giveaway.

Aneeqah said...

Such a lovely review, Jasprit! I've heard such great things about this book, and your review just convinces me even more that I have to pick this book up. I've been looking for an emotional read lately, and I love the concept of becoming stronger, like the main character wanted to do. However, I'm not really fond of open endings (at all!), but that won't deter me from reading this.

Fabulous review as always! <3

Rachel said...

Wow! Amazing review Jasprit! I really enjoyed your description and review of this book! Sounds like one part of the story is better than the other (the past), but it sounds like a great read. Definitely will be reading it!
I have a conflicted opinion on open endings; they bother me because i never will know for sure if what i want to happen will ever happen, but they leave off a sense of realism that i like.
favorite valentines treat? Hmm, Milk Chocolate Hershey's Bar.
Thanks for the giveaway!!!!!!

Unknown said...

I've heard your same issues in a lot of reviews. I'm glad you mostly enjoyed UMH. Nice review!

My favorite Valentine's candy is chocolate truffles.

Born Bookish said...

Great review! I feel like the setting of this book is really unique and will be fun to read about. I'm not a fan of open endings either, especially if it's a standalone novel =/ Overall, it sounds like an enjoyable read that I hope to get to soon.

Unknown said...

great review :)
anything of chocolate, thanks for the giveaway :)

sunshine_pinkystar(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shirley said...

I don't know if I'm the black sheep here, but I tend to LOVE open endings. Those books tend to be the ones that are unforgettable because I keep wondering what would have happened afterwards and think of potential answers and endings etc. This sounds like a fantastic contemporary & I can't wait to read it!! Amazing review, Jasprit!

Wendy Darling said...

This sounds like a heartbreaking read! I may have to check this out. I'm sort of glad you mentioned the open ending, though--sometimes it's good to be prepared for that.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Imel Cullen said...

thanks for review and my favorite candy on valentine, of course chocolate^^

Book Passion for Life said...

So glad you enjoyed this Jas, I can't wait to read it. I actually don't have a favour candy on V.Day's but any chocolate will do =)

Ari (Reading After Midnight) said...

Chocolate all the way!
Thanks for the giveaway ;)

Gaby G said...

Sounds a little sad but also heart warming.

Chocolates for me :D

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