Book Review: Rare Bird

Author Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Synopsis:

On the other side of heartbreak, a story of hope rises. 
 
On an ordinary September day, twelve-year-old Jack is swept away in a freak neighborhood flood. His parents and younger sister are left to wrestle with the awful questions:How could God let this happen? And, Can we ever be happy again? They each fall into the abyss of grief in different ways. And in the days and months to come, they each find their faltering way toward peace.
 
In Rare Bird, Anna Whiston-Donaldson unfolds a mother’s story of loss that leads, in time, to enduring hope. “Anna’s storytelling,” says Glennon Doyle Melton, “is raw and real and intense and funny.” 
 
With this unforgettable account of a family’s love and longing, Anna will draw you deeper into a divine goodness that keeps us—beyond all earthly circumstances—safe.

This is a book about facing impossible circumstances and wanting to turn back the clock. It is about the flicker of hope in realizing that in times of heartbreak, God is closer than your own skin. It is about discovering that you’re braver than you think.

Review: 

This book was raw, captivating, and will tug on your heart strings. You will cry. There's no other way about it. It is a sad book, but it's also filled with hope and new beginnings.

The way Anna writes the book is reader friendly and the chapters are never too long. Her language is simplistic, yet beautiful. She is open and honest about her experiences of losing her child. She shares some of her most precious memories of Jack and makes sure not to put him on a pedestal. She shares his triumphs, his downfalls, his quirks, and his joy for the world. 

Rare Bird is inspiring and a real treasure. A highly recommended read.

(*Note I received an advanced readers copy from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: Once an Atheist, Forever a Christian!

Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Synopsis:
Once an Atheist Forever a Christian (My Journey Out of Darkness) is a compelling personal story of how God can rescue anyone out of the deepest pits of depression and restore their lives to a meaningful purpose. Join the author to: - Relive the childhood experiences and tragedies that molded her beliefs. - Learn how the death of her brother robbed her of loving parents. - Discover how a violent father created a house of fear. At the end of this inspiring book you will say: Wow! God is Amazing! You'll want to share this book with a friend but especially anyone who is struggling to believe in the existence of God.

Review: 

I honestly always have trouble rating memoirs even if they're my favorite genre. How can someone else rate someone's life? Their journey?

However, this memoir just didn't do it for me. The chapters are short and it's hard to connect to the author, to really feel as they felt, especially if you've never lived her kind of life. It seems to brush over the details and just give synopses of different events in her life, and sometimes not really in order. 

The writing isn't bad and it was a quick read, but it wasn't much more than that. A quick read. I suppose I was hoping for something a little more. I'm happy the author was able to find happiness and joy through becoming a Christian, but with little connectivity I'm not sure that many minds will be changed based upon this book. 

It can be enjoyed by Christians, but I don't know if many other people will branch out and read it.

(*Note I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review through LibraryThing Member Giveaways.)

Book Review: Hunting Season - Immigration and Murder in an All-American Town

Author Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Synopsis:

The true story of an immigrant's murder that turned a quaint village on the Long Island shore into ground zero in the war on immigration
 
In November of 2008, Marcelo Lucero, a thirty-seven-year-old undocumented Ecuadorean immigrant, was brutally attacked and murdered by a group of teenagers as he walked the streets of Patchogue, a quiet Long Island town. The teenaged attackers were out "hunting for beaners," their slur for Latinos, and Lucero was to become another victim of the anti-immigration fever spreading in the United States.  But in death, Lucero's name became a symbol of everything that was wrong with our broken immigration system: porous borders, lax law enforcement, and the rise of bigotry. With a strong commitment to telling all sides of the story, journalist Mirta Ojito unravels the engrossing narrative with objectivity and insight, providing an invaluable peephole into one of America's most pressing issues.

Review: 

This book made me angry; it wasn't because of how it was written or anything of that sort, no, it was because I had heard nothing about this incident.

Granted, I don't watch the news as much, but certainly someone would have told me about such an event. However, nothing, I don't remember hearing anything of the sort about this event that is chronicled, fairly expertly, in this book. 

I know that racism is still alive and kicking in our country and I know that many people are against immigrants coming into our country. I also know there is a lot of people against illegal immigrants. But to the extent that is talked about in this book is appalling and it's even more appalling that more incidents go unreported out of fear of the police or knowledge that the police will do nothing to help them.

It is an eye-opening read. While many people are aware of the turmoil surrounding the issue or the fact some people have extreme reviews in regard to it, sometimes you don't think about it in terms of violence because you just hear the rhetoric. That and sometimes the news that is reported to different parts of the country doesn't acknowledge these kinds of happenings because it isn't what is bringing in the viewings or ratings.

I highly suggest that people read this book. It is well-researched and well-written. It doesn't just focus on the death of Lucero, but how immigrants came to be in that town, the background of others, his story, and how the news impacted the nation and how the nation impacted the event. It makes one think and it makes one want to be part of the solution that puts an end to the senseless violence that people face just based on how they look or are perceived.

(*Note: I was given a free copy of the book & cd in exchange for an honest review from the author through Goodreads Giveaways.)

Book Review: The Monster On Top of the Bed

Author Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Synopsis:

Once upon a time, there was a critter who was scared every day by a little girl named Suzy who loved to jump up and down on her bed. One day a critter who lived under her bed, Karrit, got up the nerve to visit Suzy and become her friend. Because Karrit did that, he discovered that Suzy was also afraid of him. 

Because Suzy did not want the critter to be scared, she treated him the way that she wanted to be treated. She even told him a mantra that her Grandmom had used as a child, “You’re welcome to stay until I say, ‘Nay’, then it’s time to go and you can’t say, ‘no.’ After working through a series of humorous misunderstandings and fears they became best friends, and neither of them were ever afraid of monsters again. 

Review: 

Let me first start off by saying that I love, love, love that the CD-ROM includes a Spanish and Italian version. It is great for kids who may have Spanish or Italian as their first language or even for those that don't. Kids can listen to it in other languages if they want and there's even a few Spanish and a few English versions to choose from.

The book fits nicely in the cd case, so you'll always have one with the other!

The book is about Suzy learning to confront her fear of monsters and that not all "monsters" are scary. She learns that people and "monsters" that come from different backgrounds can be friends and learn to understand each other and that there is no real reason to fear each other.

It is a great book to help kids overcome their fear of what they think is lurking in the corners of their room. The book even references a little chant that Suzy's grandmother taught her to help banish the monsters. The pictures and text are inviting and easy to read. It is an enjoyable book for anyone child that still loves picture books. The questions in the back of the book invite you to ask your child reading comprehension questions after the book or even have them listen to the book in other languages and try to see if they can't understand parts of the story that way.

In addition, the CD-ROM includes a few bonus features such as; extra stories or poems and interviews with the author and illustrator.

Overall, I say it is a great and enjoyable book for kids and one that you can use to help them banish their fears of the night and unknown.

(*Note: I was given a free copy of the book & cd in exchange for an honest review from the author through Goodreads Giveaways.)

Book Review: Transformation

Author Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 

Synopsis:

Emily Winters was kidnapped as a teenager by Psi-Tech, a corrupt and power-hungry corporation that learned of her precognitive ability. Imprisoned for years and forced to use her talent to help a company thrive, she now reaches a point where she must escape or die. A natural disaster will cause chaos, death, and destruction throughout the entire world while transforming most of the survivors into psychics. After this happens, Psi-Tech will kill all of their prisoners to hide the evidence of their horrific crimes. 

Knowing how the disaster will affect her captors gives Emily one slim chance to escape. She must seize this opportunity to save not only herself but her brother as well who will die without a medical treatment that doesn’t yet exist.

Review: 

As much as I tried to finish this book, I am having to list it as DFR. The plot and cover were intriguing and so I was able to get a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I still hold onto the fact that the main idea is a good one and is definitely intriguing. However, I found it very difficult to connect with the text. I wasn't getting any real emotion or feeling from reading it. It just felt like a list of events to me and there wasn't that certain spark that I can usually feel with books. I wasn't intrigued by the writing. I felt there were a few too many conveniences that favored the main characters and just kind of allowed them to be semi-invincible or have opportunities or chances to do things other people wouldn't have. Then there were times that I felt some of the description was unnecessary and rather than adding to the story, it took away from it. Maybe one day I can pick up this book again and finish it, but today is not that day. (*Note: I was given a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review from the author through LibraryThing.)

Book Review: The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate The Wash

Author Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★ ★ ★ ★  

Synopsis:

When Jimmy's unusual pet accompanies him on his class trip, an ordinary jaunt to a farm turns into a hilarious, slapstick romp. 

Review: 

This book is cute and kids will surely get a kick out of it. It's a story about a girl who comes home from her class field trip to the farm and her mom is asking her questions about how it went. In true child fashion she answers with one sentences answers that lead to more questions. The story is told slightly backwards as it tends to happen in real life with kids before stringing the events together.

It is cute and the illustrations are very well done. The book can be used in multiple ways with kids; such as cause and effect, story telling, how to tell stories in unique ways, or talking about pets. However, it is a great book for pleasure as well.

The book is good for beginning readers or kids of any age who enjoy a fairly quick read, colorful illustrations, and boa constrictors that eat the wash!

Book Review: Sadie's Guide to Catching Killers (A Sadie Novella)

Author Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Synopsis:

Sadie may seem like the typical girl next door—except she isn’t. At age eight, when she finds Mommy in the bathtub, floating in a pool of blood, Sadie becomes obsessed with murder. Sadie’s Guide to Catching Killers is the prekill to Sadie the Sadist: X-tremely Black Humor/Horror, delving into Sadie’s bizarre childhood to unravel what makes her the psycho we know and love. The story you’ve got in your hot little hands (unless you’re holding something else) is a twisted coming-of-age story, Black Humor/Horror. BONUS: Advice from L’il Sadie : 10 Signs Someone is a Low-Life Liar; 10 Ways to Your Dream Confession; 10 Useful Household Poisons, and more! 

Note: This is the (slightly) cut version of the novella. Even so, please expect sexuality, insanity, and other disturbing content. 

Review: 

There is absolutely no doubt that this book is dark and twisted. The author even tells you right off the bat that this is how the book is and that it contains dark humor. However, if you're one for that, then this book will be right up your alley.

It's an easy read but the writing isn't sloppy or too simple. The author keeps it interesting and moving along fairly well. It is almost as if Sadie is there telling you this story and it is sort of scary how twisted and believable she is. I have no experience with psychopaths, or people who don't really feel anything, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Sadie is decently accurate.

The author takes a risk in talking about many taboo things, but she does it well and almost effortlessly. A few surprises that you don't really see coming are peppered into the story.

Overall it was a very satisfying read and I would most definitely suggest it to anyone who is into this genre.

(*Note: I was given a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review from the author through LibraryThing.)

Book Review: Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully

Book Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★ ★ ☆ ☆ 

Synopsis:

Freckleface Strawberry loves the Early Bird program at school because it means extra time on the playground–except when it rains. Rain means indoor playtime...and facing the school bully Windy Pants Patrick in a bruising game of dodgeball. Ignoring him seems the safest thing, but what's our freckled heroine to do when she's forced to confront the bully alone? Beat him at his own game, of course. A funny, inspiring story about an all-too-common problem that kids, parents, and teachers will easily relate to.

Review: 

I picked Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully up at the half off sale day at Goodwill. (You don't have time to read books at a store, especially on that day.) I thought the drawings were cute and that it would go well with a bullying unit or if the subject should arise in my future classroom. Today I sat down and read the books. The drawings continued to be cute and the writing wasn't terrible. I liked that the book made going to school and going to before school programs sound like fun and not like something a child should dread. Freckleface Strawberry has a few problems that kids can identify with. Some kids are scared and hate dodgeball, something I believe they shouldn't be forced into playing. She also is afraid of a kid because the kid is a "bully" and throws too hard. (I'm not entirely sure if that qualifies him as a bully or an over zealous boy. We all know those boys who throw too hard and they don't do it to be mean.)

However, Freckleface is forced to confront her fears, and by confront I mean cower on the ground. She finds out that it doesn't hurt that much, which is slightly contradictory to the fact that the kids who do play are scared of him when they get out and this is repeated every day they play. From that we'd take it that he always throws hard, unless he took pity on poor Freckleface Strawberry.

Overall, the drawings are cute and it might be a book children enjoy. While I say let kids enjoy it, I also say that it doesn't really have a teachable plot or lesson hidden within. It's slightly disappointing that she didn't have a real chance to address the bully and to stand up for herself.

Book Review: Grave Decisions

Author Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 

Synopsis:

In the urban fantasy short story, Grave Decisions, a young inexperienced witch has car troubles outside of town and is pursued by a powerful supernatural assailant. A bonus short story, Deadly Familiar, features three witches who perform an enchantment to summon a new familiar for their friend but the spell goes awry and results in unforeseen consequences they aren’t prepared to deal with.

Review: 

Grave Decisions is a small collection of short stories. The writing is simplistic and easy to read. However, the writing level seems a bit low and the sentences can be a bit bland. The book is probably good for elementary and middle schoolers, most likely boys.

Grave Decisions: Told from the first person perspective, we're thrown into a chase between the narrator and his pursuer. The short story is riddled with due ex machinas to the point it's cliche and a bit of a let down. The ending sentence is supposed to be witty but comes off as something one might find in a beginning fanfiction author's work.

Deadly Familiar: Three teens decide to use magic to summon a familiar. As you can guess, the spell goes horribly wrong. The story isn't a bad idea in and of itself, however the author uses too many descriptor words. What ever happened to said? Not every sentence needs and exclaimed or uttered joyfully. It takes away the flavor, excitement, and importance of those words if you use them every sentence. A few missing commas could have been used to help the story flow better and the dialog could use a bit of sprucing up. No real plot to this story. No real conflict or solution. Just three kids and an invisible bird.

Vorgan: Another trio of friends. This time the trio are out to hunt down witches that summon demons. (And apparently it's ironic that witches perform spells in their own home??)

"A lot of criminals were slobs although they were just people, so many were average and some were obsessively neat." (Kindle Locations 318-319).

The above sentence doesn't make a whole lot of sense and is really unnecessary for the story. A lot of the descriptions tend to take away rather than add to the story. The ending was once again a due ex machina with large leaps made by the characters that is not all that easy to follow as a reader. It was almost as if the writer was rushing to finish the story.

Over all the writing needs work and the stories need to be fleshed out more. Gone with the lackluster descriptors and supposedly witty dialog and hello to fresh endings that aren't pulled out of thin air. Interesting concepts but not all that well executed. Besides that, there's 67% of the book left and that's just a preview for another book. Not worth the money in my opinion.

(*Note I was given this book free through Member Giveaways on LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. I was also offered another book of his in exchange for the review. Neither have swayed my opinion in the slightest.)

Book Review: A Stolen Life

JAYC Foundation | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Synopsis:

In the summer of June of 1991, I was a normal kid. I did normal things. I had friends and a mother that loved me. I was just like you. Until the day my life was stolen. 

For eighteen years I was a prisoner. I was an object for someone to use and abuse. For eighteen years I was not allowed to speak my own name. I became a mother and was forced to be a sister. For eighteen years I survived an impossible situation. 

On August 26, 2009, I took my name back. My name is Jaycee Lee Dugard. I don’t think of myself as a victim, I simply survived an intolerable situation. A Stolen Life is my story—in my own words, in my own way, exactly as I remember it.

Review:

I wanted to read this book ever since I saw it on display in Costco. However, I didn't have time to read much then and I soon forgot the book. A few weeks ago I was hunting down interesting looking memoirs in my local library and stumbled upon the book once more. Immediately I snatched it up and checked it out. 

It took me two days and several sittings to get through the book. Not because it was bad or poorly written. (I mean yes, the sentences and thoughts are not overly complex but at the same time Jaycee didn't have much of an education due to her circumstances). It was hard to imagine that a little girl had to go through this for eighteen years. It's harder to imagine that this isn't the only case and that there are many more children (boys and girls alike) taken advantage of every day. And scarily enough, it isn't just kids that get kidnapped.

Though, I feel it was important for me to read it, to get an understanding, to let her know that her voice isn't silenced. That we can read and hear what she went through, that people are on her side and rooting for her and I most definitely am. 

The book is obviously personal and Jaycee shared more than she had to. I know reading some reviews by others they wanted to know more about how she raised her kids or what not. I think it was somewhat implied that she was mostly on her own until her captor quit his job and his wife and he helped her. They also forced her to be her kids' sister, so it feels like maybe she wasn't fully allowed to help raise them. I think she gave us just enough because she wanted to keep her childrens' privacy intact, something I commend her for. I do not blame her for this as the media today is ruthless.

Beyond that people didn't want to know as much detail about what happened. You know what? Too bad. It's something real that she went through and sharing the details, not that she went too in depth in reality, was a method of healing. It's a way of saying that she's silent no longer. She isn't the only victim of sexual abuse and some of the reviews further my opinion that it is a silent crime. People don't want to talk about it, hear about it. People want to believe that it doesn't happen. Jaycee's raw truth is astonishing for people. People want to know what happened but then it comes to a taboo subject and they want to plug their ears and scream.

I find the book a decent read. Make sure you're able to handle the subjects of abuse and kidnapping before you delve into it though. Her bravery and continued optimism is something most people don't have and I think it is truly wonderful the things she has managed to accomplish and is still accomplishing today. 

(*Note: I was not asked to review this book)

Book Review: A Simple Song

Author Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Synopsis:

From Amish country to Hollywood, Katrina Yoder is in for the ride of her life!
Katrina Yoder loves to sing, but her strict Amish parents view her singing as vain. Still, Katrina's best friend, Bekka, is convinced Katrina is good enough to try out for American Star, a televised singing competition that Bekka has been secretly watching. Katrina has a good voice, but really--try out for a TV show? Her parents would probably disown her! 

But when her family faces a crisis, it seems to Katrina that the competition might be the way to get the money needed to cover the emergency expenses. 

How will Katrina handle herself as an Amish teenager out in the world? Is she truly good enough to win? Will her parents ever forgive her? And will she be accepted back into her community when it's all over?

Review: 

To be honest, I was worried I would be a bit biased towards this book because Melody Carlson is hands down my favorite Christian author. The only person that comes close to her is Gilber & Lynn Morris. Her books are always engaging and well written. A Simple Song does not disappoint. 

It starts off chronicling Katrina's life in the Amish community and establish how she is at odds with her singing voice. She doesn't want to be vainglory, but she still loves singing. As the story unfolds it is shown that her family is in desperate need of money and her friend Bekka has just the idea. She wants Katrina to try out for an English tv singing show. The book depicts Katrina's struggle to do so, excitement to sing, confusion with the English world, and most importantly her journey of self discovery.

Though the book does have an excellent plot and is not in your face with the Christianity aspect. (Yes, they do talk about prayer and God and all of that, but that is part of the Amish lifestyle and Carlson doesn't scream at you that God is the only answer in life.) I wished there had been more description in the singing contest aspect. I occasionally felt that I was just shuffled from one stage of the competition to the next and there were times where  I just wanted more. (Though, if there had been more the book would be even longer.) That again is just a personal preference and you may find you think there is quite enough detail.

Perhaps the thing I wished for most was a bit more to the ending. Yes, I did enjoy the ending and found it very cute. I still wanted to see her go home and interact with her family. I wanted to know if they accepted her after the singing competition. I was rooting for Katrina the entire time and I really wanted to know what her mother and brother had to say when she got home. It is still the question that tugs in the corners of my mind today. Did they accept her? Did she have to go to a different community?

Overall it was a good, easy, and quick read. I read it all in one day as I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I enjoyed being slightly exposed to another culture, the Amish. I'm not Amish so I can't say if all the facts are correct, but knowing how much time and effort and how accurate her other books are I would venture to say it's probably pretty on point. The vocabulary and writing style is very reader friendly, even for those kids who aren't too sure about how great of a reader they are.

I commend Carlson for writing yet another great book!

(*Note: I was not asked to review this book. I was lucky enough to win it in a contest held by Melody Carlson and felt the review was well deserved for someone who works so hard.)

Product Review: Pantene Repair & Protect

Now, as a bit of background so you guys can know just how much I think this product works. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. This means that my thyroid is completely not working and I'm dependent on medicine to keep the hormones regulated. You may be wondering what that has to do with hair or shampoo. I assure you that it has quite a lot to do with it. One of the side effects of the disease is that your hair can become really thin and you can excessively shed hair. (This is hair on your head mind you.)

So, around seventh grade is when my hair became extremely thin. It was thin to the point it didn't look healthy if it was past a certain length and just looked really shoddy. Since then I have had to keep my hair short in order for it to look nice and healthy. At first I didn't mind, a new hair cut and style and all. After awhile I started to miss my longer hair and wished I could have it back. However, whenever I would grow it out it would look thin and straggly and just plain gross.

Fast forward to this past spring and I was once again perusing womanfreebies.com. I came across a free sample of Pantene Repair & Protect. I thought, 'Okay. Free sample. Why not give it a go and see if it's better than my current shampoo.' So, I did just that. I ordered the sample and waited for it to come. When it did I used it the following day and continued using it. I personally thought I could tell a difference but I didn't say anything to any of my family. About two weeks later my dad commented on how much healthier my hair had been looking and I was so happy. Not only could I see and feel a difference, so could other people!

Since then I have bought the product and continued to use it. Not only do I believe it worked, my dad once used it when we were staying at a hotel on a trip. He could visibly tell a difference in how his hair looked and how it styled that morning. I can't tell you if it truly erases six months of damage in one go, but I can tell you this. This shampoo and conditioner set does work and it has made my hair healthier and stronger. I can noticeably see and feel a difference with my hair and I truly believe it is because of this product.

Movie Review: Begin Again

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Synopsis: A well-written feel-good film with just the right amount of humor, seriousness, and relatableness that it captures your attention from the start. A good cast of characters and an ending that doesn't let you down and leaves you feeling satisfied. A good reminder that even when you're feeling that you're at your lowest, you can pick yourself up once again.


Full Review/Thoughts:

To be perfectly honest, I had never heard of the film begin again until I was perusing womanfreebies.com. I was just browsing the site when I stumbled upon a post about free movie tickets. Now, there's one thing my family will always tell you. Carissa loves free. Unfortunately today was the last day to use the coupon of (up to) four movie tickets. I posed the suggestion to my mom and then we went searching for the nearest theater that had the movie, picked a time, and went.

I don't exactly know what I had been expecting. I guess part comedy and part romance from the synopsis that I had read. Again, this was a last minute decision and I had never heard of the movie. However, I saw that Kiara Knightly and Mark Ruffalo were in it and I am fans of both actors. A good cast, decent sounding synopsis, and free tickets? Why not. So we sit down and find out that it's an independent film. Great! I love independent films and there are a lot of good ones out there. (Like The First Grader, if you haven't seen that movie I highly recommend it.)

So, we sit down and at first, I have the sense that it does seem very independent-ish. The way the beginning is filmed and the tone that is set. However, soon you forget that as the movie unfolds. It begins in a bar where there is open mic night. I first thought the male that was singing at the open mic night, Steve, was going to be the boyfriend that Gretta ended up having a fall-out with. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he was instead a good friend of hers.

After that scene it goes back to that morning to show Dan's (or Ruffalo's character) morning and what led him to end up in that bar on open mic night. Having a disastrous day, Dan stumbles into the bar and we see how he sees and hears Gretta. He's immediately captivated and asks her to sign with him. After a bit more of their interaction he tells her that "No one leaves New York without something terrible having happened to them (Begin Again)."

The next scene shows Gretta reminiscing and we get her side of the story and how she ended up in the bar singing on open mic night.

The film continues as the two journey around the city in an attempt at first getting Gretta signed, and then to make the cd to take back to the recording company. The film shows the characters changing and growing as they interact with each other and the rest of the cast. Throw in some singing by Kiara Knightly of some original and interesting songs and you make for an enjoyable film that will keep you entertained throughout.

Now, as in most romantic movies or romantic comedies, one is always led to believe they'll know the ending. Boy and girl end up together. Whether it's the break up couple or the two leads that met. And I suppose this is a bit of a spoiler to say that it doesn't end that way. In a refreshing turn of events the movie ends differently. It leaves the viewer satisfied and at the same time doesn't have the same ending as most romcoms seem to.

Overall, it was a nice way to spend the afternoon and it was a movie I was glad I stumbled upon and had the time to see. Plus, I loved the soundtrack so much that I have been listening to it on Spotify as I write this review and work on other things around the house.

I give this indie film a four out of five stars and an over all well down to the cast and crew!