Review - Holding On and Letting Go by Lucy Kelly

Title and Author: Holding On and Letting Go by Lucy Kelly

Publisher: K. Coleman

Publication Date: March 20th, 2013

Paperback/Hardcover: 186

Genre: Young Adult,

Find it at: Goodreads /

Summary:

Is there a way to describe the ties that bind us together? What happens when one of those ties is unexpectedly severed? Can everything else remain the same? Will the other ties hold strong?

Two years after her little brother's death, sixteen year old Emerson Caulfield returns to a home that she spent the last two years missing. In theory, everything should be the same. Her best friend, Matt, still lives next door. Her house is in the exact same condition as they left it. The scenery and hallways haven't changed, yet for Emerson, everything is completely different. The place may be the same, but Emerson is most certainly not. She returns home hurt, angry, and miles away from the girl she once was.

The 60,000 word novel alternates between the perspectives of Emerson, who is struggling to keep breathing on a daily basis, and Matt, who wants to have his old best friend back so badly that he is willing to overlook the fact that she has completely changed. Though their friendship and relationship is a major part of the story, it takes backseat to the unique bonds between siblings, what happens when your worst enemy is in fact yourself, and the hardships that come with growing up and changing.

  

Review:

I have received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review as a part of a book tour.

Holding on and Letting Go is an emotional read with great characters and an interesting story.

I really liked the characters in this book. Emerson is the main character and she grows a lot as the story develops. After losing her brother she has to learn to move on and to ask for help. She’s a strong and interesting character.

Matty is a great character as well. He helps Emerson while being patient, sweet and understanding.

As I said this is an emotional story. It is very well-written and has the ability to make the reader tear up.

One thing I really enjoyed about the book was that it deals with an important topic – the process of learning how to move on after the death of someone you love. The author did a wonderful job describing Emerson’s feelings and the ups and downs of her life.

All in all, Holding On and Letting Go is a wonderful book with complex characters and a powerful story and message.

If you enjoy a well-written and emotional read you should definitely give Holding on and Letting Go a try. You won’t regret it.

Rating: Somewhere between worth your time and must read (4 ½ Stars)