Unbreak My Heart is the first book I have read by Melissa Walker and I think if I were to try to sum up the book in a single sentence I would say it's a great summertime read that also tackles some serious issues, and does it in a very authentic way. As you read in the above synopsis, Clementine has had a rough year. She not only lost the guy she had developed a serious crush on, she also, and more importantly, lost her best friend in the process. Clem is in a very low place. She has been ostracized by all her friends after falling for her best friend's boyfriend and she feels so much guilt over the situation she is unable to speak with anyone about it, including her close knit family. They know something is wrong, but Clem refuses to let her family know the full extent of what is going on, and so she has in effect, isolated herself even further. It's summer and her parents have decided the family will spend it aboard their sailboat on a family cruise. But Clem is in no mood for a fun summer, she is too busy beating herself up about the events that occurred over the last year.I have to admit that I was a little torn when it comes to the character of Clem. On the one hand I can totally empathize with her situation. I can remember, as if it were yesterday, how it felt to lose someone you think you love, and worse, to have a falling out with your best friend that results in an end to that friendship. It feels like the end of the world because in a way, it is. It's the end of a big part of your life and it can be devastating and very difficult to get up and dust yourself off afterwards. And when things end over mistakes made on your part, it's ten times worse. Walker writes flashback scenes which lead up to Clem and Amanda's falling out and I thought it was a very effective way to tell the story although it started to annoy me after a bit because I just wanted to to know what happened already! So, to a degree, I definitely understand how terrible Clem feels.But I have to say, after a while I was ready for her to let it go. I knew that she need to have time to heal and have time to face up to her part in the whole ordeal, but I couldn't help but feel like it was too long in coming. I really admire Clem's family, her parents and her sister were so very patient with her because, you guys, I can tell you, if I had been part of that family I would've had a total Cher via Moonstruck moment. You know, the whole "Snap out of it!" scene. I know that sounds a bit harsh but although I felt genuinely sorry for Clem that she was going through this, I also felt sorry that her parents and sister were stuck on a little tiny sailboat with her as well. Call me callous but it's true.So clearly the saving grace of the whole situation was James. At first I found him, like Clem, to be a bit...cheesy. And whereas Clem was so depressed, James was so happy. Perky, even. There is only so much perky I can take sometimes, you guys. But James grew on me. It was great to read scenes with him because, let's face it, Clem was kind of a drag for a while there. I loved the banter between Clem and James, and I think he was the perfect person to help Clem out of her funk and make her reevaluate her entire situation. I thought their romance was sweet and perfect for a summer read. I also really enjoyed Clem's relationship with her parents and her too cool for school little sister, Olive. She's like the coolest ten year old EVER! I love that she totally acts her age, and not a ten year old going on sixteen. She's silly and goofy and eager and just adorable. And when Clem finally does sit down and spill everything to her parents, they are AWESOME. They are understanding and forgiving and say all the right things, things Clem desperately needed to hear. I love how Melissa Walker portrays a positive family unit in this book:)I also loved all the fellow boaters, like George and Ruth! They were so darn sweet and kind and funny. I could have read a whole book solely about them. And while we are on the subject, I really enjoyed the setting. I don't have a ton of experience with sailboats, but my husband was the captain of both a charter fishing boat and private sports fishing boat for many years so the general "life on and around the water" aspect was something I totally got and related to.But perhaps what I enjoyed most about Unbreak My Heart, was watching Clem come to terms with her mistakes, realizing that while yes, she was partially to blame, she was not alone in it. And witnessing her ability to finally let go of the burden of her guilt and make positive strides forward was a very uplifting message. I love that she walked away form the experience wiser and hopeful for her future. 4/5 Stars
Show lessUnbreak My Heart is the first book I have read by Melissa Walker and I think if I were to try to sum up the book in a single sentence I would say it's a great summertime read that also tackles some serious issues, and does it in a very authentic way. As you read in the above synopsis, Clementine has had a rough year. She not only lost the guy she had developed a serious crush on, she also, and more importantly, lost her best friend in the process. Clem is in a very low place. She has been ostracized by all her friends after falling for her best friend's boyfriend and she feels so much guilt over the situation she is unable to speak with anyone about it, including her close knit family. They know something is wrong, but Clem refuses to let her family know the full extent of what is going on, and so she has in effect, isolated herself even further. It's summer and her parents have decided the family will spend it aboard their sailboat on a family cruise. But Clem is in no mood for a fun summer, she is too busy beating herself up about the events that occurred over the last year.I have to admit that I was a little torn when it comes to the character of Clem. On the one hand I can totally empathize with her situation. I can remember, as if it were yesterday, how it felt to lose someone you think you love, and worse, to have a falling out with your best friend that results in an end to that friendship. It feels like the end of the world because in a way, it is. It's the end of a big part of your life and it can be devastating and very difficult to get up and dust yourself off afterwards. And when things end over mistakes made on your part, it's ten times worse. Walker writes flashback scenes which lead up to Clem and Amanda's falling out and I thought it was a very effective way to tell the story although it started to annoy me after a bit because I just wanted to to know what happened already! So, to a degree, I definitely understand how terrible Clem feels.But I have to say, after a while I was ready for her to let it go. I knew that she need to have time to heal and have time to face up to her part in the whole ordeal, but I couldn't help but feel like it was too long in coming. I really admire Clem's family, her parents and her sister were so very patient with her because, you guys, I can tell you, if I had been part of that family I would've had a total Cher via Moonstruck moment. You know, the whole "Snap out of it!" scene. I know that sounds a bit harsh but although I felt genuinely sorry for Clem that she was going through this, I also felt sorry that her parents and sister were stuck on a little tiny sailboat with her as well. Call me callous but it's true.So clearly the saving grace of the whole situation was James. At first I found him, like Clem, to be a bit...cheesy. And whereas Clem was so depressed, James was so happy. Perky, even. There is only so much perky I can take sometimes, you guys. But James grew on me. It was great to read scenes with him because, let's face it, Clem was kind of a drag for a while there. I loved the banter between Clem and James, and I think he was the perfect person to help Clem out of her funk and make her reevaluate her entire situation. I thought their romance was sweet and perfect for a summer read. I also really enjoyed Clem's relationship with her parents and her too cool for school little sister, Olive. She's like the coolest ten year old EVER! I love that she totally acts her age, and not a ten year old going on sixteen. She's silly and goofy and eager and just adorable. And when Clem finally does sit down and spill everything to her parents, they are AWESOME. They are understanding and forgiving and say all the right things, things Clem desperately needed to hear. I love how Melissa Walker portrays a positive family unit in this book:)I also loved all the fellow boaters, like George and Ruth! They were so darn sweet and kind and funny. I could have read a whole book solely about them. And while we are on the subject, I really enjoyed the setting. I don't have a ton of experience with sailboats, but my husband was the captain of both a charter fishing boat and private sports fishing boat for many years so the general "life on and around the water" aspect was something I totally got and related to.But perhaps what I enjoyed most about Unbreak My Heart, was watching Clem come to terms with her mistakes, realizing that while yes, she was partially to blame, she was not alone in it. And witnessing her ability to finally let go of the burden of her guilt and make positive strides forward was a very uplifting message. I love that she walked away form the experience wiser and hopeful for her future. 4/5 Stars
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Unbreak My Heart is a bildungsroman (coming of age story... sorry I used to be an English major, haha) that teaches about love and forgiveness. The characters are well-developed, and the plot will draw the reader in. Furthermore, Unbreak My Heart brings up an important social issue, gender double-standards in contemporary society. All of that combined with the summer and vacation setting make this book a perfect summer read. I really enjoyed the way Walker told this story. She told it from alternating points in time. One chapter would be in the present, and the next chapter would be in the past/a flashback of what happened with Clementine, Ethan, and the fall out between Clem and her friends. It was shocking, yet accurate, to see the double-standard at play. I can't believe that no one seemed to blame Ethan at all. I really wasn't his biggest fan. I did love James, though. And Olive, Clem's younger sister, was the highlight of the book for me. She was fantastic!I also didn't understand why Amanda was so important to Clem. I mean yea, if my best friend messed around with my boyfriend, I'd probably disown her, but I'd disown him, too. I would treat them both the same. However, everyone makes mistakes. Clem grows a lot throughout the novel, and I think she learned some valuable lessons because of what she did and what happened to her. I doubt she'd be that selfish again. Walker did a terrific job of showing instead of telling, and I was able to pretty much feel what Clem felt. I felt bad for her, but I was angry at her for being such a brat, too. At some points, her depression was a bit much to take, but she was authentically a teenager. Her emotions were more turbulent than the water they were sailing on at points, but that's typical for someone her age. I was drawn into the story immediately and couldn't put the book down until I was finished. It's a quick and short read, only 240 pages, and the pacing is perfect. Nothing is rushed or dragged out. I didn't feel like we reached a resolution between Clem, Amanda, and Ethan at the end of the story. It was a happy ending, and I know that the story is supposed to be about Clem's journey to self-forgiveness and personal growth. However, I would have liked to see the after and how things went for her a few months down the road as well. Just a small snippet to keep me from being so curious.Overall, I really enjoyed this book. As I said, it's the perfect summer read. I'd recommend this story to anyone. You should take it on vacation with you and read it while you're relaxing on the beach. That's what I did!
Show lessUnbreak My Heart is a bildungsroman (coming of age story... sorry I used to be an English major, haha) that teaches about love and forgiveness. The characters are well-developed, and the plot will draw the reader in. Furthermore, Unbreak My Heart brings up an important social issue, gender double-standards in contemporary society. All of that combined with the summer and vacation setting make this book a perfect summer read. I really enjoyed the way Walker told this story. She told it from alternating points in time. One chapter would be in the present, and the next chapter would be in the past/a flashback of what happened with Clementine, Ethan, and the fall out between Clem and her friends. It was shocking, yet accurate, to see the double-standard at play. I can't believe that no one seemed to blame Ethan at all. I really wasn't his biggest fan. I did love James, though. And Olive, Clem's younger sister, was the highlight of the book for me. She was fantastic!I also didn't understand why Amanda was so important to Clem. I mean yea, if my best friend messed around with my boyfriend, I'd probably disown her, but I'd disown him, too. I would treat them both the same. However, everyone makes mistakes. Clem grows a lot throughout the novel, and I think she learned some valuable lessons because of what she did and what happened to her. I doubt she'd be that selfish again. Walker did a terrific job of showing instead of telling, and I was able to pretty much feel what Clem felt. I felt bad for her, but I was angry at her for being such a brat, too. At some points, her depression was a bit much to take, but she was authentically a teenager. Her emotions were more turbulent than the water they were sailing on at points, but that's typical for someone her age. I was drawn into the story immediately and couldn't put the book down until I was finished. It's a quick and short read, only 240 pages, and the pacing is perfect. Nothing is rushed or dragged out. I didn't feel like we reached a resolution between Clem, Amanda, and Ethan at the end of the story. It was a happy ending, and I know that the story is supposed to be about Clem's journey to self-forgiveness and personal growth. However, I would have liked to see the after and how things went for her a few months down the road as well. Just a small snippet to keep me from being so curious.Overall, I really enjoyed this book. As I said, it's the perfect summer read. I'd recommend this story to anyone. You should take it on vacation with you and read it while you're relaxing on the beach. That's what I did!
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This was a nice pleasant summer read. It not quite being summer, I didn't get to enjoy it by the pool or outside but the feeling was the same. Clem made a mistake and fell for her best friend's boyfriend. But everyone seemed to forget that there were two people that did something wrong. Actually it was more of a flirtation and Clem tried to stop it. Her best friend, Amanda, blamed her for something that never happened. And everyone chose a side. Not Clem's. But it wouldn't matter because Clem thinks she's the worst person in the world. Even if you chose her side, she'd push you away. She wouldn't take your comfort. She is sure she is the worst person on the face of the earth. This is one of those books that reminds me of how MAJOR everything seems when you're a teenager. It reminds me of how great that first kiss was and how awful that first breakup was. How bad it felt to not get asked to the dance and how great it felt to go out on my first date. How BIG everything felt. And how it was all about ME. Because when I was a teenager, the world revolved around me. I was so focused on fitting in and being what everyone wanted the slightest blip was a huge ordeal. And that's where Clem is right when the story starts. The world has shut down because she made a mistake and her best friend unfriended her on Facebook and her heart is broken.Thankfully she's spending the summer on a sailboat with her family instead of skulking around the house or her job at the mall. But spending time on a small boat with her family doesn't give her a lot of grieving time or feeling sorry for herself and then there is this cute happy, puppy dog like guy that is at every stop they make that gets under her skin and his mood is kind of contagious. He was contagious off the page as much as on the page. I looked forward to reading about him. He and Clem, oh his name is James and he is an artist and sensitive, and Crazy Olive, Clem's little sister spend the summer together swimming, fishing, eating together and exploring. It's very sweet how James includes Olive in their outings and makes her feel welcome. The story goes back and forth between past and present as Clem tries to write a letter to Amanda about what happened and then she thinks back on the flirtation that went on between her and Ethan, Amanda's boyfriend. It's chronicled for us, though the big reveal is a bit of a disappointment considering all the fuss . But this is a very enjoyable coming of age story, at least I think that's what it's billed as. I'd say it's about a girl that makes a mistake and gets a blessed amount of time away from the situation to get a clearer picture of what really happened. With time and the love of her family, she's able to see things for what they really are and unbreak her own heart. It's a lovely story with a sweet romance. I recommend it for anyone that loves romance or YA contemporary.I do have to say that James has his own kind of heartbreak he is dealing with this summer and though he doesn't show it, he shares it with Clem. At one point in the story, he needs Clem's parents' help and I found myself sobbing through this part of the story. I really, really loved James with his happy attitude, always making people feel good, young and old. And in his time of crisis, I fell apart. My heart broke for him. I was really surprised that I had such a strong reaction, but I did. Sign of a great story, when it makes you cry!I read the e-ARC of this one, but I'll be buying this one for the shelf so I can read it again. I think it's good to remember what it was like when I was a teen and how significant everything was. And to remember, no matter what age you are, to lighten up on yourself. Remember that moms and dads.
Show lessThis was a nice pleasant summer read. It not quite being summer, I didn't get to enjoy it by the pool or outside but the feeling was the same. Clem made a mistake and fell for her best friend's boyfriend. But everyone seemed to forget that there were two people that did something wrong. Actually it was more of a flirtation and Clem tried to stop it. Her best friend, Amanda, blamed her for something that never happened. And everyone chose a side. Not Clem's. But it wouldn't matter because Clem thinks she's the worst person in the world. Even if you chose her side, she'd push you away. She wouldn't take your comfort. She is sure she is the worst person on the face of the earth. This is one of those books that reminds me of how MAJOR everything seems when you're a teenager. It reminds me of how great that first kiss was and how awful that first breakup was. How bad it felt to not get asked to the dance and how great it felt to go out on my first date. How BIG everything felt. And how it was all about ME. Because when I was a teenager, the world revolved around me. I was so focused on fitting in and being what everyone wanted the slightest blip was a huge ordeal. And that's where Clem is right when the story starts. The world has shut down because she made a mistake and her best friend unfriended her on Facebook and her heart is broken.Thankfully she's spending the summer on a sailboat with her family instead of skulking around the house or her job at the mall. But spending time on a small boat with her family doesn't give her a lot of grieving time or feeling sorry for herself and then there is this cute happy, puppy dog like guy that is at every stop they make that gets under her skin and his mood is kind of contagious. He was contagious off the page as much as on the page. I looked forward to reading about him. He and Clem, oh his name is James and he is an artist and sensitive, and Crazy Olive, Clem's little sister spend the summer together swimming, fishing, eating together and exploring. It's very sweet how James includes Olive in their outings and makes her feel welcome. The story goes back and forth between past and present as Clem tries to write a letter to Amanda about what happened and then she thinks back on the flirtation that went on between her and Ethan, Amanda's boyfriend. It's chronicled for us, though the big reveal is a bit of a disappointment considering all the fuss . But this is a very enjoyable coming of age story, at least I think that's what it's billed as. I'd say it's about a girl that makes a mistake and gets a blessed amount of time away from the situation to get a clearer picture of what really happened. With time and the love of her family, she's able to see things for what they really are and unbreak her own heart. It's a lovely story with a sweet romance. I recommend it for anyone that loves romance or YA contemporary.I do have to say that James has his own kind of heartbreak he is dealing with this summer and though he doesn't show it, he shares it with Clem. At one point in the story, he needs Clem's parents' help and I found myself sobbing through this part of the story. I really, really loved James with his happy attitude, always making people feel good, young and old. And in his time of crisis, I fell apart. My heart broke for him. I was really surprised that I had such a strong reaction, but I did. Sign of a great story, when it makes you cry!I read the e-ARC of this one, but I'll be buying this one for the shelf so I can read it again. I think it's good to remember what it was like when I was a teen and how significant everything was. And to remember, no matter what age you are, to lighten up on yourself. Remember that moms and dads.
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