Intraterrestrial

Adam Helios is a bully magnet without many friends. When he starts hearing a voice that claims to come from the stars, he fears he’s losing his mind, so he withdraws even further. On the way home from a meeting at the school, he and his parents are involved in a horrible car crash. With his skull cracked open, Adam’s consciousness is abducted by the alien who has been speaking to him for months.

After surviving the wreck with only minor scratches, Camille Helios must deal with her guilt over the accident that left her husband badly injured and her son in a coma. When the doctor suggests letting Adam go, Camille refuses to stop fighting for her son’s life.

Lost among galaxies, Adam must use his imagination to forge a path home before his body dies on the operating table. But even if he does return to Earth, he may end up locked inside a damaged brain forever.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Nicholas Conley takes readers out of this world and into the imagination of a young boy who is dying from a massive brain injury in his novel, Intraterrestrial. After a car accident leaves Adam in a comatose state, an alien race contacts him in hopes that he'll be able to help them beat the Destroyer by traveling through space. 

Adam Helios is the adopted son of Camille and John Helios who has run into a little trouble with bullies at his school. Though Adam is intelligent, a good friend, mechanically inclined, and imaginative, this doesn't help him stay out of the bully's line of sight. However, Adam's intelligence, imagination, and desire to do good will help him face the battle of his life, or rather the battle for his life. Readers will instantly align with Adam's character as he is represented as the underdog who stands up for others. When he's put into a coma after a brain injuring car accident, readers will feel even more connected to him. Yet, it's during this time that readers really see Adam's inner strength, persistence, and determination as he must battle the Destroyer if he wants to save an alien race and return to his earthly body. 

The creativity of this novel is wonderful and fresh, even in the midst of tragedy. I have wondered what is happening to people who are in a comatose state and Conley uses that curiosity to spark interest throughout this book. As Adam battles the Destroyer in his mind, or in outer space (whichever way you choose to look at it), his mother and father are trying to make the right decisions for him in reality. This creates a suspenseful situation where both the reader and the characters are in a sort of limbo. I also think that Camille's evolution of character also adds to the connectivity that readers can feel with this novel. Though I was kind of annoyed with her attitude and personality early on, the events that transpire push her to change into the kind of person she wants to be, which is nice. 

The only downside of this novel was that it was a bit predictable. There was a kind of obvious set-up of events and the book follows them almost exactly. I would have liked a few more surprises, but I don't think this takes away from the overall enjoyment of the book. I would definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy science fiction. However, there was some adult language so I wouldn't recommend it for all ages. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Norwegian Wood

Toru, a quiet and preternaturally serious young college student in Tokyo, is devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman, but their mutual passion is marked by the tragic death of their best friend years before. Toru begins to adapt to campus life and the loneliness and isolation he faces there, but Naoko finds the pressures and responsibilities of life unbearable. As she retreats further into her own world, Toru finds himself reaching out to others and drawn to a fiercely independent and sexually liberated young woman.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami is probably one of the strangest yet intriguing books I have ever read. Murakami utilizes a variety of themes to explore the love life and coming of age story of Toru. However, most of these themes are weighed down with the theme of death. As several characters in the novel commit suicide, I think Murakami uses the looming nature of death to highlight the difficulties of life. 

Toru is the main character and the narrator of the novel. He's a young college student who is learning to navigate the world of love, sex, and being an adult. His young adulthood has been heavily influenced by the suicide of his best friend that occurred a few years earlier. When he reconnects with his deceased best friend's former girlfriend, Naoko, Toru falls in love with her but must help her and recognize that she struggles with depression and (perhaps) other mental illness. 

Toru is a semi-likeable character as he's intelligent, morally guided overall, and mostly supportive of the few friends he has. I say 'mostly' because he does poke fun at his roommate and remains friends with a playboy, even participating in some one-night stands of his own. The main thing about Toru is that he is flawed so that makes him both relatable and influenced by the story's action. However, in that flawed nature, he isn't a very reliable narrator. He constantly doubts his memory which then transfers doubt to the reader. Within that doubt, readers still feel connected to Toru based on both his experiences and the emotions he evokes. Toru is a hopeful young man who is caught between a love of the past and a chance for love in the future. 

The entire story is a told as a flashback, as Toru relives the days of knowing Naoko because he hears a cover of The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood." While Toru tells the story, he seems to get lost and the present becomes the memory while the past fully takes over. Though this book is interesting and pulls the reader in from the beginning, it is incredibly sad with no real conclusion. For as much emotional investment the book requires, it seems that the payoff would be bigger. Or at least, the conclusion more clear. Overall, I was dedicated to this book and kind of disappointed with how it ended. I almost felt like I was being punished for making it to the end. I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone and definitely not just anyone. In terms of literature, this book is interesting in the way it presents Westernization and cultural influences. However, I don't think everyone would be a fan. It's a book that requires contemplation and analysis to even begin to unpack everything that Murakami tackles. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

 

The Changing Season

This was supposed to be a simple summer for Billy; one more lazy expanse of time before college began. He'd fill the hours playing with Jimmy – his canine best buddy – going camping and doing all the things he promised Jimmy they'd do before Billy left.

But that was before the accident that shook the entire town.

It was before the summer job that turned into something so much more than a way to get a paycheck.

And it was before Vicki.

This summer was destined to be many things to Billy, things he didn't truly understand until now. But it was definitely not going to be simple.

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Steven Manchester writes of a time between things in his novel The Changing Season, showing readers that the time after an ending, before a new beginning, is when everything can change. William Baker has just graduated high school and is getting ready to leave for college, but there's a single summer left to enjoy, discover, and learn a few more things.

 

Billy has no idea what he wants to do with his life, a feeling a lot of people can relate to. After high school ends, it's hard to decide where your life should go. Or where you want it to go, for that matter. Billy is a likeable character who's loyal to his friends and his moral compass seems right on target. My favorite thing about Billy was his love for animals. His best friend is a rescue on four legs named Jimmy and readers will easily see how much he cares for him. Though Billy questions what he should focus on going forward in life, it'll be glaringly obvious to readers. With one summer left before college, readers will watch Billy grow from a video-game playing slob of a teenage boy into a man with direction and purpose. This growth will solidify the bond between Billy and the reader.

 

The Changing Season begins just before high school graduation. Billy and his friends, Mark and Charlie, are all looking forward to their futures. In a horrible accident, Charlie plays a critical role in the death of a fellow graduate, testing his friendships, his future, and his freedom. Billy hears his friend's confession and tries to push him to do the right thing. Meanwhile, Billy falls in love and finds a full time summer job. With the truth hanging over his head, Billy must move forward. This coming of age novel will resonate with readers and leave them with hope, as most of Manchester's novels seem to do.

 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Reinforcements

The novel is the first of the Ron Tuck series. It is set in 1969 and explores the relationship between two friends whose lives are going in different directions. It is a story that moves the reader from a bowling alley to a college campus and finally to an anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C. It is a comedy that pokes fun at coming of age sexuality, social mores, and familial relationships. It is a story about self-exploration and the need to learn.

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Kenneth Hart explores the line dividing childhood and adulthood in his novel, Reinforcements. Ron and Hank are friends, both in their early twenties, forging different paths in an attempt to define themselves. Ron chooses to leave work at IBM and go back to school, though he doesn't know what for, while Hank chooses to take a chance at love.

 

Ronald Tuck is a young man with only one thing on his mind: women. He seems to believe college will allow him to find an endless supply of sexual encounters. Ron is a self-centered character with a sketchy past involving therapy and being misunderstood. Though he is an interesting character with many layers, readers may have a hard time connecting with him. He's not the nicest guy on campus and has a short fuse when he isn't getting what he wants. When he is faced with people who don't share his opinion, Ron becomes quickly frustrated. In his first semester of college, Ron is subjected to an array of situations that are outside of his comfort zone. Soon he finds his place with the student newspaper, creating controversy with his outspoken nature and opinion of the war.

 

Hank is just as naïve as Ron but in a different way. Hank wants to love and be loved. Unfortunately his rose-colored glasses cloud his judgment and he becomes involved with a woman who does nothing but take advantage of him. Hank believes that he can sweep JoLee away from her pig of a husband, turn her life to luxury, and fulfill her every dream. Readers will have hope for Hank though it seems nothing will be enough. After he pretends to marry JoLee, Hank's parents continue to support him. JoLee sees him as weak and soon he begins to believe it. Readers can see that Hank is soon suffering from a debilitating depression that he can't find his way out of. Everything that he thought would make him happy just causes him to sink deeper into his uncertainty. I think empathy and understanding of Hank's circumstances will help readers connect with him better though it's hard to understand how he doesn't see the stem of the problem.

 

The plot of this novel isn't an easy linear projection. Reinforcements is focused on emotional response and situational awareness as well as the growth that comes from each. Defining and discovering oneself isn't an easy undertaking, but it's a universal experience. As Ron explores what college has to offer and Hank focuses on creating a life revolving around love, the characters learn more about themselves, face challenges that disrupt their world views, and encounter new people with different beliefs. Though it may have been the formatting of the Kindle edition of this book, at times the storyline was a bit difficult to understand. The focus between Ron and Hank quickly shift, sometimes without prior clarification. Also, character history is dropped randomly in the middle of important situations. The interesting nature of the story conflicts heavily with the vulgar and blunt writing style. Reinforcements is not a book for the faint of heart or anyone who shies away from the occasional curse word or sexual description. Reinforcements is the first book in the Ron Tuck series and it's unclear where the characters will lead, or find, themselves in this coming of age tale as they search for knowledge and self-truth.

 

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

Home No More - Blog Tour

Synopsis:
My name is Kendall Carrington—or so I thought…

When 17-year-old Kendall gets pulled over during an impromptu joy ride, she not only discovers she is not the girl she thought she was, but neither is anyone else. Kidnapped when she was young, she is thrust back into a life she doesn’t remember. One where her name is Danielle Tucker and betrayal seems to be lurking around every corner. No longer able to decipher the truth from the lies, she enliststhe help of blue-eyed hottie Lincoln Hunt on her quest for truth.

Will she come to terms with her new life? Or will she go running back to the only home she’s ever known?

Review:
Leddy Parker doesn't shy away from the controversial in her novel, Home No More. This novel takes on a lot, dealing with abuse, kidnapping, the definition of family, nature vs. nurture, love, control, and inner strength. Kendall, also known as Danielle, is the main character of this chaotic crisis and readers will find themselves drowning in the drama, jaw dropped open.

Kendall/Danielle is a seventeen year old girl who grew up as the daughter of a man named John. She knew he wasn't her real father and she knew that Billy wasn't her real brother, but she never questioned why she wasn't allowed to leave the property or where her mother was. Though she claims to have had a good childhood, Kendall is a very violent person, verbally and physically. Though she has experienced a traumatic event, it will be difficult for readers to connect with Kendall. I didn't like her as a character for the first 75% of the book. I thought she was mean, selfish, rude, abusive, irresponsible and untrustworthy. She does get better as the novel goes on, but first impressions matter. I couldn't get over how awful Kendall was to better connect with her. I had sympathy for her situation and difficult choices, but it didn't go any further than that.

The plot of Home No More seems simple at first but becomes more complicated as lies mix with truths. Kendall was kidnapped out of the back of her parent's car after an accident. When she is pulled over without a license, she is taken to the police station and it's discovered that she's actually the missing Danielle Tucker. She's having trouble adjusting to this new life and plans on going back to Billy, her angry and abusive boyfriend, as soon as she turns 18. But then, she finds out that she's pregnant and everything changes. Controversy galore. Readers will undoubtedly have various opinions about each of the topics explored in this novel. Some will connect with Kendall better than others. Some will enjoy the drama filled pages while others will think it's too much. The story is entertaining, without a doubt. However, other than empathy and sympathy, Kendall doesn't seem like a relatable girl or a girl I'd even like to be friends with. She'd definitely yell at me all the time. The girl that Kendall becomes in the end, now she seems stable, friendly, loving, thoughtful. And I like that version of her character much better. The journey helped her become that stronger person.

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

Meet the Author:
Leddy Harper had to use her imagination often as a child. She grew up the only girl in a house full of boys. At the age of fourteen, she decided to use thatimagination and wrote her first book, and never stopped. She often calls writing her therapy, using it as a way to deal with issues through the eyes of her characters.She is now a mother of three girls, leaving her husband as the only man in a house full of females. The decision to publish her first book was made as a way of showing her children to go after whatever it is they want to. Love what you do and do it well. Most importantly Leddy wanted to teach them what it means to overcome their fears.

Connect with Leddy at www.leddyharper.com 

The Man Who Loved Too Much: Archipelago

This is the story of Billy Green. When he was just turning four, his father tried to throw him in the trash. He was a smart kid but that just seemed to create enemies.

His mom did everything to protect him. But this was Detroit, armpit of the wasteland! Catholic school didn’t help much, except the time he got his first kiss from an atheist nun. Home life was dismal. Was his father capable of anything but drinking beer and farting? And what was with that neighbor who made puppets and tried to molest Billy? Golly! Detroit was sucking the life out of him. At such a young age!

Then adolescence swirled around him. Like water in a toilet bowl. High school was a B movie. Only without a plot. So finally he did something about it. Billy ran away… to college. Cornell University. That was a good move for sure! He studied hard, lost his virginity, met the love of his life. Things were definitely looking up! What could possibly go wrong? Isn’t that what we always ask?

*May Contain Spoilers*

I finished reading John Rachel's novel, The Man Who Loved Too Much: Archipelago , a couple of days ago and have been struggling to put my opinion on character strength into words. The entire novel is undoubtedly about Billy Green, from infancy to sophomore year in college. The writing style is unique and fresh. But somewhere the book has an itch that I can't seem to scratch. 

Billy Green is a singularity. He was raised by an over-attendant mother and an alcoholic father. He should have been a spoiled brat or a resentful rebel but he grew up to be neither. Readers witness his growth into a deep thinker who's honest, loyal, confused by love, and a genuinely good character. The way that Rachel shares Billy's entire story, instead of a snippet of time with references to his past, lets the reader connect more with his character. 

However, the main plot seems to be the love story between Billy and Natalie, which doesn't start until his college years. Though the relationship with his father is an interesting novel aspect, as is the reaction to his mother fighting cancer. But, again, that doesn't start until his college years. I enjoyed Billy's character, and his adventure into the beginnings of adulthood, but I think I would have enjoyed the novel more if the focus was on the struggle of evolving relationships as the character comes of age. It seemed like the first parts of the novel, which revealed a near pedophile incident and a chaste first kiss with a nun, were just long-winded introductions to the main story line. 

It's tough to weigh character connection and in-depth descriptions against the overall intrigue of the story when also trying to assign a rating to a book. John Rachel's novel was well-written, with only a few mistakes here and there. It was funny, witty, and shocking at times. But most importantly, I cared about Billy and sincerely wanted him to end up with someone good. Not sure if that's Natalie, as she seems a little flighty and secretive (Pam = step mother?), but as a reader I want Billy to have a happy ending. And I think most readers will feel the same way, which shows a definitive bond between reader and character.

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

The Best Kept Secret - Blog Tour

Synopsis:
In high school, everyone has secrets. Even well-brought-up Emma Fraser.

Emma’s sophomore year started out all wrong. First, her best friend Andy confessed to losing his virginity leaving Emma all alone in the V-Club. Then the rest of her friends got weird and suddenly Emma finds herself feeling like the people she knows best have become total strangers. And total strangers are becoming friends.

When Deegan Burke, a rich, gorgeous senior, asks Emma to be his date for the prom, Emma thinks her luck has begun to change. But rather than being able to bask in this newfound glory, her whole world starts to unravel. And when secrets that once seemed so innocent start to take a very dangerous turn, Emma discovers that true friends are friends no matter what…and some secrets aren’t worth keeping.

Review:
Powerful. Daring. Courageous. Wendi Nunnery brings blurry high school issues into focus with her novel, The Best Kept Secret. This fictitious tale exemplifies true teenage situations, giving readers an in-depth look at bullying, sexuality, and relationships in a high school setting.

Emma is the main character in this tangled web of secrets. She's the innocent fifteen year old girl who knows what going through high school can entail. Readers will be able to see themselves in Emma, relating to the school years that taught them the most. Emma is very cautious and uncertain of what to do when her friends become sexually active and boys start showing interest in her. It's a chaotic and confusing time for a teenage girl. And we've all been there. Readers will empathize with Emma's situation and her uncertainty. They'll understand what she's going through and connect with her quickly. The foundation for a reader/character connection is swiftly set and built upon with each chapter.

The plot is surprising and a bit on the controversial side of topics. Emma faces the idea of losing her virginity after her friends admit to losing theirs. Then there's prom. Usually sophomores don't get to go, but two seniors are showing interest in asking her. This is only the beginning of the chaos and drama of Emma's sophomore year. The Best Kept Secret tackles underage drinking, bullying, virginity, and crime. It leaps over the boundaries and will shock readers with the truth. I was completely stunned by the ending. I did not see it coming at all. Well, except the letter.

The truth is that high school can be heart breaking, soul stomping, and completely unfair. This is that kind of story. The kind that ends with tears and tissues.

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Meet the Author:

Wendi Nunnery is the author of The Mayfield Family Story. She is also a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and The Simply Beloved, a lifestyle website for women of faith. She is a proud alumna of Georgia Southern University and, at any given time, you can find her w

ith a cup of coffee and a book. She lives, loves, and mothers in Atlanta, Georgia. The Best Kept Secret is her first novel.

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The Selection

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Kiera Cass gives readers a futuristic, written version of "The Bachelorette" with a royal twist. After WWIV, the United States has become Illea, ruled not by a president but by a King and Queen. Now, the Prince is looking for a wife and to find one he must go through The Selection, a contest for 35 girls who go up against each other to see which one will become the Princess. 

The main character of The Selection is America Singer, born into caste level five which include musicians and artists. America has a positive outlook, always keeps her head up, and is very level headed. She loves her family and wants nothing more then to spend the rest of her life with the man that she falls in love with. America is very talented on the violin, among other instruments. She's giving, caring, compassionate, and friendly. Readers will fall in love with her more and more with each chapter. Though it's difficult to connect with her specific situation, if we zoom out a little bit, it's easier to take it in. America is growing into an adult and wants to be able to provide for her future. A future that she would like to choose for herself. As she discovers what she wants in a life partner, through the selection process, readers can relate to the surprising nature of desires and the uncertainty of shifting feelings, hopes, and dreams. 

The Selection begins with a letter announcing that the search for the next princess is about to begin. Though America doesn't want to take part, she is convinced to give it a go. Surprising to everyone, except the reader, America is chosen as one of the 35 lucky girls. She, however, is only going to get away from Aspen, the first man to break her heart. She quickly becomes friends with the Prince, in a quite hilarious way, and tells him everything. Feeling quite lucky to have found a friend, the Prince agrees to let America stay though she doesn't want to actually participate in the contest. But, as previously stated, feelings shift and unexpected kisses do happen. Kiera Cass keeps readers entertained with witticism and sticky situations. I literally laughed out loud more than once! Though I'm not sure who I'm rooting for in the selection or for America, I am intrigued enough to keep reading. But would it be incredibly predictable if America did win? She is the one who the story is about. I hope there's a big twist somewhere in the next two books, or I may be left feeling a little disappointed. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Tell the Wolves I'm Home: A Novel

In this striking literary debut, Carol Rifka Brunt unfolds a moving story of love, grief, and renewal as two lonely people become the unlikeliest of friends and find that sometimes you don’t know you’ve lost someone until you’ve found them.

1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life - someone who will help her to heal and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

*May Contain Spoilers*

From the first chapter of this novel, I knew that it was going to be two things: a deep respectful representation of loss and an emotional exploration of social understanding. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt is one of the best books I've ever read. Though intensely sad, I found the book an amazing and inspiring piece of literature. 

June, a fourteen year old girl, is the main character in this story set in 1987. She's a lonely girl who is just learning how unfair life can be. June loves her Uncle Finn and sees him as a hero of sorts. She's very secretive and imaginative, often pretending she lives in another time and place. Readers will connect with June through their understanding of her uncertainty and questionable nature. Though she doesn't realize all that's happening around her, readers will pick up on the unsaid implications of character actions. Her innocence is beautiful within the difficult situation and her naivete leads to bravery when June refuses to accept the blame that others cast. 

The plot begins with Uncle Finn who is dying from AIDS. After the funeral, June finds that her mother places blame on a stranger named Toby, who is revealed as Finn's boyfriend. When Toby delivers a package to June, a note is discovered and an unlikely friendship is founded. Finn wants June to take care of his Toby and, though June must keep it a secret, she vows to honor her uncle's wishes. She has no idea what secrets she'll uncover nor what new things she'll learn about her beloved uncle. Tell the Wolves I'm Home is a gem of sadness, sparkling in the darkness that follows death. 

Rating: 5/5 Cups

Love and Peaches

After a not-quite-peachy year apart, three Georgia peaches come home to Darlington Orchard

When Murphy chose New York City, she left her first love behind. Now, a summer in Bridgewater means trading subway trains for pickup trucks and facing the boy she turned her back on.

Leeda expects her trip home to be over faster than her new Manhattan boyfriend can hail a cab--until a surprising inheritance saddles her with a huge responsibility.

Birdie's heart led her all the way to Mexico, and heartbreak brings her back to the orchard. But when the Darlington family decides to leave peach trees for palm trees, Birdie gets a crash course in letting go--and learning when to hold on.

Together for another juicy summer, carefree Murphy, perfect Leeda, and big-hearted Birdie return to the place that allowed them to bloom. Brimming with all the charm, humor, and heart of Peaches and The Secrets of Peaches, this satisfying conclusion to the series reunites three unlikely best friends for a final sweet farewell.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Jodi Lynn Anderson ends her tale of three Georgia peaches in the final book of the trilogy, Love and Peaches. Though it was nice to witness the end, I wanted more. I didn't feel satisfied with the way everything wrapped up. I needed more juice, more meat, more peach fuzz. Did I go too far with that analogy? Okay, I needed more details! The first two books were detail specific and Anderson gave readers every ounce of information. Disappointingly, the details in this installment skimmed the surface and disappeared before I could even get a handle on them. 

Murphy comes home to Bridgewater and the summer leads up to an absolutely life changing moment. Her mother knows who her father is and refuses to tell Murphy. Add that problem to the fact that Rex, her ex-boyfriend, is leaving town and wasn't even going to tell her and you get one emotional Murphy who struggles to show it. Readers will connect with Murphy through her uncertain feelings for her ex. She does still love him but doesn't know what to do with that love since she's always dreamed of living in NYC. Readers will also strongly empathize with Murphy in her desire to know her father. 

Leeda returns for the reading of her Grandmother's will and plans on returning to NY very quickly. But her Dear deceased Eugenie has other plans for Miss Leeda as she inherits her pet ponies. Her task is to use her $500,000 inheritance to take care of the ponies until new homes can be found for all of them. Then the rest of the money is hers. With this rather large kink in her plan, Leeda must remain and take care of the ponies and the other animals who show up on her doorstep with the help of Grey, a wandering eighteen year old who her grandmother hired. Readers will learn more about Leeda in this book, including her love for animals. She becomes more focused, dedicated, and open to the world in this final novel which will undoubtedly allow readers to make a deep connection with her. 

Birdie experiences quite a bit in this short book. She becomes engaged, runs away from her fiance, lives in a tree house, works the orchard for the summer, tries to return to her fiance and finds herself without a home. Like I said, quite a bit. Though most of the situations are briefer than they should be based on the seriousness of the action, readers will discover a deeper side to Birdie and witness her bloom into adulthood as she goes through these trials. 

The plot is well organized. All three girls return to Bridgewater on summer vacation and the story shares their summer of discoveries and loss. In the epilogue, Anderson shares what each girl goes on to do, which I highly appreciated. However, with a certain personality I had a hard time believing that her life would be like that. Maybe it's just me. I definitely enjoyed reading about what happened to the peaches but I wanted more from the third book. I expected more. And I was a little let down. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups