Author: Nazarea Andrews
Publisher: A&A Literary (May 1st, 2014)
From: the Author
Format: eARC
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK
NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+
Synopsis: Northern was supposed to be a fresh start—a place where people didn’t know who I was or how I had spent years in and out of mental institutes. People didn't know about my parents death or the island no one heard of. But when Peter sits next to me in lit class, I can’t stop the memories, and I don’t want to. He looks too much like the boy from the island, and despite my best intentions, coaxes my secrets from me.
He’s gorgeous, irresistible, a little mad, and completely lost—we are a pair of broken cogs in a world neither of us truly fits into. He is somehow gentle and fierce, heartbreaking in his devotion and savage in his defense.
When Belle, his best friend, shows up, pale and lovely and sick, Peter pulls away from me, a startling withdrawal. It’s a relationship that scares and confuses me. She is at times warm and friendly, and other times is violent and unpredictable.
Peter says that he wants me, but refuses to let himself get close. And there are secrets, surrounding both of us, that border on nightmares. As the memories close in, as Belle gets sicker and more violent, I’m torn between what is true and what I believe, and what this magical boy knows about my mysterious past.
Review: 4.5 Stars - Girl Lost from author Nazarea Andrews has made me a fan all over again with this is a fantastically written, unique spin on a retelling of a fairy tale classic.
The thing about retellings is they are either good or bad and in this one came out on top! I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Nazarea in the past and wasn’t sure what to expect this time around. Something I’ve come to love about this author is how she’s able to write one thing and then something totally different the next. She’s an extremely versatile author and proves it time and time again.
The characters we meet in this title are Gwen who has been in a mental institute for most of her teenage life. She witnessed something horrible and was left scarred and alone until she was found and rescued by a boy who took her to an island. The only problem is no one knows who this boy is or where the island is. To everyone else neither exists.
She questions everything around her and wants to go on with her life and start to heal. College gives her the chance to start new and prove to not only herself but everyone else that she’s better, that she’s sane and that she can survive without the constant supervision from her aunt, brother and doctor.
And then there’s Peter. He’s consuming, protective, mysterious and fun. He’s also jealous, secretive and reminds Gwen of someone who she’s been fighting her memories of and knows there’s just not any way possible that he’s real. Because if that’s the case, she might not be as sane as she thought she was because Peter reminds her of the boy.
The issues Gwen faces and the secondary characters are pretty normal… at least for the most part. Add in the question of the mental stability of the female lead character and things start to become hazy at times.
Nazarea made sure she covered all the characters from the original fairy tale in her retelling which I also found incredibly amazing. How she was able to weave the classic elements into modern day was a huge plus while reading.
The flashbacks shared throughout the story added were perfect in letting the reader learn so much more about Gwen and the last many years of her life and what exactly happened to her during those weeks away. I appreciated it. I looked forward to those flashbacks and they helped give me a much richer story.
In the end the story comes somewhat full circle. Things are explained yet doors are left wide open which left me with such a need to read more of this story, because there’s just no way this is the end. Is there a cliffhanger you ask? Kind of but it’s a good one and some might say it’s a doozy but I couldn’t have seen it end any differently. Now the question is, would I recommend this? Heck yes! It’s pretty amazing! It’s written extremely well, has fantastic characters and plot. I do recommend this title to older readers as this is a “New Adult” story due to language, drinking and sex. It’s not one to miss that’s for sure and I’m looking forward to the next title from this amazing author. Happy Reading!
About the Author:
Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.
Find Nazarea Online:
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I love this authors book and I will read son
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