Book Review: The Ruins in Which We Bleed by Steve N Lee

Author: Steve N Lee

Title: The Ruins in Which We Bleed

Series: World War II Historical Fiction #3

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 386

Published: June 12, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Given to me for my honest and unbiased opinion) 

Amazon US

Barnes & Noble

Summary: 

Inspired by a previously untold true story.

Following the Nazi invasion of Poland, 13-year-old Helena is imprisoned in the Warsaw ghetto, a squalid hellhole rife with disease and starvation. Yet, although the Nazis have destroyed her home, her life, and her future, they haven't destroyed the only thing that truly matters — her family. Helena might be just a child, but she's a fighter, and she'll do whatever it takes to help her loved ones.

Making sacrifices no child should ever have to make, seeing horrors no child should ever have to see, Helena bravely battles on as her world crumbles amid random killings, slave labor, and deportations. And through it all, her compassion helps to protect her family. But then the Nazis unleash new horrors.

With the ghetto a raging sea of flames, explosions, and gunfire, Helena runs for her life only to hurtle straight into an unimaginable hell from which there seems no escape. And the Nazis are closing in. Can her love for her family give her the strength to survive?

Review:

I read the last two book in this "series" from the author, so I HAD to say yes when asked to check this one out. 

The story follows Helena and her family who are Polish Jews. We get to see Helena and her family years previous at the beginning of their imprisonment in the Warsaw ghetto. We also get to see Helena years later as she tries to survive an unimaginable hell where she is trapped. Will her memories and love for her family keep her alive to see another day?

This and the other two of this "series" can be read as a standalone. 

Just like the other books, the author really knows how to pull at the heart strings. OOOOOOoooOOOOOooo the feels are strong with this one!

The pacing was a little slow but it was fitting. I'm so glad the author weaved in flashbacks to help keep the story moving. 

Poor Helena. Such a sweet girl in a dark and terrible world. 

Awww Sparkle, Helena's kitty, and that little rat!!! Adorable!!! They were a nice add to the story. I'm sure one could write an entire paper on the symbolism of Helena taking care of small creatures even though she is struggling to survive herself.

Like I mentioned earlier, the feels are strong with this one. So many tears! Some happy, but mostly sad tears. Make sure to keep a Kleenex on hand because you will need it. However, there is hope and something you can take out of Helena's story. Bravery is just not found on the battlefield. Small acts of rebellion can be brave! Also, just being kind can be a whole rebellion upon itself.

Now don't get me started on the ending! The ending was pretty inevitable but I had so much hope for everyone. Now, there is a ray of hope in the ending (no spoilers from me) so that helped ease the gloom a bit.

All-in-all, add this to the shelf of winners for this author. This story will wrap you up and you won't want to stop reading. I found myself staying up WAY too late to get to the last page because I HAD to know what was going to happen to Helena and everyone else. Prepare to weep, but also be prepared to be inspired. I 100% recommend this book. 5 stars for sure.   

Favorite Character(s): Helena and Sparkle

Least Favorite Character(s): All the Nazis of course. Evil, evil. 

 

Audiobook Review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Author: Heather Morris
Narrator: Richard Armitage

Title: The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Series: The Tattooist of Auschwitz #1

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: January 11, 2018
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

A tale based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov.

In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.

Imprisoned for over two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism—but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.

One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.

Review: 

Been meaning to read this one for a bit. Now that it has been made into a show I wanted to read it first. 

This is a historical fiction based on a Lale Sokolov's interviews with the author. He was forcibly transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau and was found valuable since he could speak several languages. He is put to work as a tattooist and tasked to permanently mark his fellow prisoners. The horrors he seen would change his life forever. One day, he meets Gita and falls in love. He vows to survive and marry her. He also vows to help and keep alive as many of his fellow prisoners as possible. 

This, like so many other books set in the Holocaust, is extremely tragic and will pull at your heartstrings. I couldn't put this down. I had to keep going. I had to know who made it and who didn't. There was a tiny glimmer of hope and you just want everyone to live....but you know they all won't. And for some characters....we'll never know what happened to them. 

All the characters, even the bad guys and side characters, were so fleshed out and really brought to life. 

It was very interesting to see Lale in his role as a tattooist. He had special treatment and it was a conflicting role. He had to do what he had to survive and he tried to stay in the good graces of the Nazis while trying to help his fellow prisoners at the same time. He really did walk a tight rope of morality. 

Same with Gita on the other end. She was working as an admin (in a way) so she had that same tight rope to walk. 

I loved their love story. It seemed so impossible but I think it kept them alive. It brought a teeny light to all this darkness of the story. 

I'll make mention of the "controversy". There are some historical inaccuracies and some things major historians question. However, this was told by a man who was extremely old so we are relying on his memory. He might've big-fished some things or misremembered. Also, we literally don't know EVERYTHING single moment of everything and every day in the camps. We know a lot (*has flashbacks of my research paper I had to write*) because the Nazis loved a good paper-trail. However, there might be some things that were lost to time. It doesn't bug me that this isn't a piece of academic literacy. This isn't meant to be a source of history research. It's a story about a man and woman who survived a terrible, horrible thing. SO take this story with a grain of salt. 

The narrator. Awww. Love him. He literally takes a story and makes it glitter and shine. He's fantastic. In all honesty, I think I enjoyed this WAY more with listening to him narrate. I 100% recommend doing the audio. I'm sure reading is fine, but he just brought such life to the role. 

All-in-all, I really enjoyed this. I couldn't stop listening. I was absolutely hooked!!! Sure, there are some historical inaccuracies, but take it with a grain of salt. I was going to label this with 4 stars, BUT I think the narrator really added to the story. 5 stars from me. 

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #3

Book Review: A Song of Silence by Steve N Lee

Author: Steve N Lee

Title: A Song of Silence

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 308

Published: May 14, 2024

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

War thrust them together. Love will tear them apart.

Inspired by a true story...

When the Nazis invade a sleepy Polish town in 1939, Mirek Kozlowski swears to keep everyone in his orphanage safe at all costs. However, despite his struggles and sacrifices, the war drags him and his children deeper and deeper into its violent nightmare.

With 89 children looking to him for hope, Mirek must do whatever it takes to protect them — no matter how criminal, distasteful, or perilous it may be.

And just when he thinks things can’t get any worse, the arrival of a sadistic SS captain brings unspeakable atrocities to his town — and surprisingly, a glimmer of hope for Mirek to save all those he cares about if only he has the courage to grasp it…

A story of love, bravery, and compassion, A Song of Silence explores history’s darkest hour and how, even in the face of overwhelming evil, one man can become a dazzling beacon of light.

Discover what it means to be human. Discover A Song of Silence.

Review:

I couldn't resist this because I have adored previous books by this author and there is something with books about the Holocaust and WWII that always calls my name. 

Here we follow Mirek Kozlowski who wants nothing more than to keep his orphanage safe and happy. Everything changes when the Nazis invade his small town. Despite Mirek and his crew's struggles and sacrifices, the war drags them all deeper and deeper into its violent nightmare.

I didn't want to put this down!! I found myself staying up too late reading. 

The story is tragic and heartwarming and gripping. I just wanted a happily ever after for everyone, but you know that isn't the case. Times are dark and the light gets dimmer, but never goes out. There is hope. 

The author really knows how to get the reader to think and feel. Especially at the end I felt a tear rolling down my cheek. So good! 

I had zero issues with this book. 

In the end, I def recommend this for people who want to read an amazing people story. This poor man and his community will go through a terrible time and it will hit you in the feels. 5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Enthralling 

Book Review: Push Not the River by James Conroyd Martin

Author: James Conroyd Martin

Title: Push Not the River

Series: The Poland Trilogy #1

Genre: Historical fiction, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 554

Published: January 1, 2000

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

A panoramic and epic novel in the grand romantic style, PUSH NOT THE RIVER is the rich story of Poland in the late 1700s--a time of heartache and turmoil as the country's once peaceful people are being torn apart by neighboring countries and divided loyalties. It is then, at the young and vulnerable age of seventeen, when Lady Anna Maria Berezowska loses both of her parents and must leave the only home she has ever known. With Empress Catherine's Russian armies streaming in to take their spoils, Anna is quickly thrust into a world of love and hate, loyalty and deceit, patriotism and treason, life and death. Even kind Aunt Stella, Anna's new guardian who soon comes to personify Poland's courage and spirit, can't protect Anna from the uncertain future of the country. Anna, a child no longer, turns to love and comfort in the form of Jan, a brave patriot and architect of democracy, unaware that her beautiful and enigmatic cousin Zofia has already set her sights on the handsome young fighter. Thus Anna walks unwittingly into Zofia's jealous wrath and darkly sinister intentions. Forced to survive several tragic events, many of them orchestrated by the crafty Zofia, a strengthened Anna begins to learn to place herself in the way of destiny--for love and for country. Heeding the proud spirit of her late father, Anna becomes a major player in the fight against the countries who come to partition her beloved Poland. PUSH NOT THE RIVER is based on the true eighteenth century diary of Anna Maria Berezowska, a Polish countess who lived through the rise and fall of the historic Third of May Constitution. Vivid, romantic, and thrillingly paced, it paints the emotional and unforgettable story of the metamorphosis of a nation--and of a proud and resilient young woman.

Review:

This was a freebie and I snatched it up! I had read something by this author in the past so I was excited to get my hands on this and read it too!

Here we follow Anna Maria and her journey during huge changes in Poland in the late 1700s. Anna is quickly thrust into a world of love and hate, loyalty and deceit, patriotism and treason, life and death. Everyone and everything she loves is in danger. 

First...I must clap because it is so rare to find a book set in a country like Poland. It isn't a main setting a lot so that made me happy. This was def a breath of fresh area. 

Now, I felt like I fell in and out of love with this book. There were moments I couldn't put this down and had to read as quickly as possible. I had to know what was going to happen! And there were moments I found myself reading fast and skimming so I could just be done. Lots of ebbs and flows here. Not sure if it was a me-thing? Maybe it was too long? Maybe we needed some scenes trimmed up a bit? I can't pinpoint what would make me fall out of love. Luckily, it wouldn't last long and I would be back into it. 

Oooo Anna. She certainly had her hands full and life loved throwing that poor girl some curveballs. She is a gem and she deserves happiness. 

The ending was okay. It seems that you can leave well enough alone, but it does give some room for more story. Someday I might continue on. We shall see. 

All-in-all, this was interesting and intriguing. A nice set of characters and a unique setting. I did have some struggles here and there, but overall this was a nice read. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Book Review: The Romanov Empress

Author: CW Gortner
Title: The Romanov Empress
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published: July 10 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)



Narrated by the mother of Russia’s last tsar, this vivid, historically authentic novel brings to life the courageous story of Maria Feodorovna, one of Imperial Russia’s most compelling women who witnessed the splendor and tragic downfall of the Romanovs as she fought to save her dynasty in the final years of its long reign.
                  
Barely nineteen, Minnie knows that her station in life as a Danish princess is to leave her family and enter into a royal marriage—as her older sister Alix has done, moving to  England to wed Queen Victoria’s eldest son. The winds of fortune bring Minnie to Russia, where she marries the Romanov heir and becomes empress once he ascends the throne. When resistance to his reign strikes at the heart of her family and the tsar sets out to crush all who oppose him, Minnie—now called Maria—must tread a perilous path of compromise in a country she has come to love.
                  
Her husband’s death leaves their son Nicholas as the inexperienced ruler of a deeply divided and crumbling empire. Determined to guide him to reforms that will bring Russia into the modern age, Maria faces implacable opposition from Nicholas’s strong-willed wife, Alexandra, whose fervor has lead her into a disturbing relationship with a mystic named Rasputin. As the unstoppable wave of revolution rises anew to engulf Russia, Maria will face her most dangerous challenge and her greatest heartache.
  
                
From the opulent palaces of St. Petersburg and the intrigue-laced salons of the aristocracy to the World War I battlefields and the bloodied countryside occupied by the Bolsheviks, C. W. Gortner sweeps us into the anarchic fall of an empire and the complex, bold heart of the woman who tried to save it. 

I really enjoy this author's work. I have read a few and there are more I want to read. This one landed on my lap and I've been drooling over this book for weeks. I wanted to wait until after or near its publication. 

The story follows Minnie/Maria who is Tsar Nicholas' mother. We all know the tale of the fall of Nicholas, his family, and Imperial Russia. However, how many people can they really know his mother? I know I know very little of this force of nature. In this tale, we get to see her young, newly married, become the empress, become a mother, and see her lose everything. So sad, so very sad. I cannot imagine seeing everything fall away and never really, truly knowing what happened to part of your family. She lost so many of her family members during the fall of the monarchy. 

If only those stubborn men had listened to her!! That darn Russian pride was the downfall. If they had listened to her and followed through on her father-in-law's plan to follow in England's footsteps ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. But no. The stubbornness of males caused so many needless deaths. They could have avoided the fall of a great country. 

The story was told wonderfully. I enjoyed every moment. There were a couple of slow moments, but they did not last long. Maria had very time to rest. Lots to do especially with all those kids and constant issues popping up. 

Yes, she was a stubborn woman and could be harsh, but I was on her side pretty much for everything especially Nicholas' wife. Yes, let Nicky marry her...but I really feel that Alexandra was a huge factor in the fall of the monarchy especially with her fascination with that man. 

I liked Sasha too, but in the end, he was a stubborn male who didn't realize the people give power NOT god. England learned this and some other countries did too THUS why their royalty got to keep their place. A pity indeed. 

The ending was so sad, of course. I did get some tears especially thinking how monstrous revolutionaries can be. THE CHILDREN! They did nothing. UGH!!!!! So sad. My heart broke for Maria. She lost everything and pretty much everyone; such a tragic story. I loved it though. This was real and I felt the author really brought the characters to life. Splendid, indeed. 


In the end, this is a must-read for anyone who likes historical fictions. Heck. For anyone who likes a good people story. The author is such a good storyteller and knows how to bring historical people to life! Just note...there is no HEA in this one. Very sad. I'll stamp this with 5 stars. :3

Audiobook Review: The Japenese Lover by Isabel Allende

Author: Isabel Allende
Narrator: Joanna Gleason
Title: The Japanese Lover
Genre: Historical Fiction & Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: May 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

In 1939, as Poland falls under the shadow of the Nazis, young Alma Belasco's parents send her away to live in safety with an aunt and uncle in their opulent mansion in San Francisco. There, as the rest of the world goes to war, she encounters Ichimei Fukuda, the quiet and gentle son of the family's Japanese gardener. Unnoticed by those around them, a tender love affair begins to blossom. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the two are cruelly pulled apart as Ichimei and his family, like thousands of other Japanese Americans are declared enemies and forcibly relocated to internment camps run by the United States government. Throughout their lifetimes, Alma and Ichimei reunite again and again, but theirs is a love that they are forever forced to hide from the world.

Decades later, Alma is nearing the end of her long and eventful life. Irina Bazili, a care worker struggling to come to terms with her own troubled past, meets the elderly woman and her grandson, Seth, at San Francisco's charmingly eccentric Lark House nursing home. As Irina and Seth forge a friendship, they become intrigued by a series of mysterious gifts and letters sent to Alma, eventually learning about Ichimei and this extraordinary secret passion that has endured for nearly seventy years.

Yayy third audiobook of the year. Blodeuedd will be proud! 


This was a freebie Audible gave me for becoming a member. Which is exciting because I have been wanting to read this for a while now! 


First, the narrator was okay. I liked her voice. She had a way to make you feel. However, I feel that even in the happy moments I was sad and never felt truly happy. Plus, I feel her voice never really changed when she was doing other POVs. Slight changes, but nothing really different. You really had to listen to get when things changed. 


This story was sad. Very sad. There was hope and happiness and this was a reminder to live life to the fullest. By the end of the book, I was depressed. It made me sad. I wanted more for Alma and Ichimei. I wanted more for Irina and Seth. It made me dread getting old. Being an old person sucks. 


The story was intriguing to listen to. You know what happens, but at the same time, you don't. We constantly learn more about Alma and the other characters. When you think you know something, you suddenly learn a secret or you learn of something they did. I loved Alma, but there were things she did that made me shake my head at her.


I do wish the format was different. Maybe if I read the book I would've felt different, but it jumped around a lot and there were a lot of POVs running around. Maybe reading it would've been different. Who knows.  


This was a sad book and I cried a lot. It makes you think. Makes you feel. The author really did a wonderful job showing people. I do want to read more of her work. I recommend either reading or listening. It is a good story, but be warned you will feel and think. 


In the end, I'll stamp this with...mhmmm...3 stars. Nearly a 4, but the format and the narration lowered it a bit. Overall, worth it. I recommend it. Maybe I'll attempt reading it someday. 

Movie Review: The Immigrant (2013)

Film Title: The Immigrant
Length: 2 hours
Released: 2013
Genre: Drama, Historical Romance
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Netflix


SUMMARY:
1921. An innocent immigrant woman is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a dazzling magician tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island.

TRAILER:

Review:
A really random find on Netflix, but I like all three actors and plus I like a good drama so why not?

This….was an interesting movie for sure. The movie follows Ewa who is coming to America with her sister from Poland. Their family was killed and they had nothing left. So why not try America? Things go wrong...of course (they do not make it easy to move here which is a tragedy in itself). Ewa’s sister is deemed too sick to be let in, which leaves Ewa alone and god forbid they allow a woman to come into the country alone especially after there is a rumor she was giving favors on the boat. They are about to deport her, but Bruno comes and “saves” her and offers her a way to get money to buy her sister’s medical bills and ultimately freedom. Of course that way is to sell her body for money.
This was sad. I felt bad for Ewa. All she wanted was to live in peace with her sister. They went through a lot to get here and those bastards just were bastards and came up with every single thing to deny citizenship. And then they give her crap for trying to get money for being a prostitute. WHAT DO YOU WANT???? If you refuse to assist immigrants they need to feed themselves somehow. SIGH.

Anyways…

The cast was good. I was a little bummed by the guy who played Orland (Renner). He is so good, but this one he seemed so awkward and not up to his normal level of acting. It all seemed so forced. Maybe Historicals are not his cup of tea? Who knows? The rest of the cast did well though.

I did really hate the love-triangle they tried forcing on Ewa. Sure Ewa kinda liked Orlando and kinda liked Bruno for helping her, but all she cared about was saving her sister. I wish there wasn’t the triangle at all. I get they were trying to add more drama, but isn’t a nurse turning to a prostitute because of the cruddy American men enough drama??? Sighs. I do get tired of the love-triangle. I must hand it to them though…this was an interesting one. Ewa was screwed no matter what she did. They both were scum overall. Orlando is an illusionist who is good but hard to work with because he is a womanizer and a jerk. And Bruno is a pimp. EWA YOU DESERVE A PRINCE DAMMIT! *shakes fist*

And what the heck was that ending? Yes, there was a little some of happiness, but really? You are going to leave it like that? It seemed like there was supposed to be another scene and then it ended. Errrr….so no real full conclusion there. Okay…leave it up to imagination I guess. I’m hopeful for Ewa and her sister.

In the end, this was for sure entertaining. Lots of drama. It does give a little message of how America is supposed to be a safe haven for immigrants, but they make it hard as hell even for people who really deserve and need it. Also, it shows the love of family is strong. The love-triangle was meh and the ending left me feeling a void. I’ll give this three stars. Only for the fact I really liked Ewa.

Book Review: The Boy who Wanted Wings by James Conroyd Martin

Author: James Conroyd Martin
Title: The Boy who Wanted Wings
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 358
First Published: September 2016
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Aleksy, a dark-complexioned Tatar raised by a Polish peasant family, holds in his heart the wish is to become a Polish hussar, a lancer who carries into battle a device attached to his back that holds dozens of eagle feathers. As a Tatar and as a peasant, this is an unlikely quest. When he meets Krystyna, the daughter of the noble who owns the land that his parents work, he falls hopelessly in love. But even though she returns his love, race and class differences make this quest as impossible as that of becoming a hussar. Under the most harrowing and unlikely circumstances, one day Aleksy must choose between his dreams. 

I could hardly put this down. So good, so good. The beginning was a little slow, but after a few pages, I was utterly hooked. I finished this book in a couple of sittings. I needed to know how Aleksy was going to get what he desired and what he deserved. 

I loved Aleksy! Even though some people treated him horribly, he had a big heart and he wanted to serve Poland. 

Krystyna was okay. At first, I didn't really like her and I thought Aleksy deserved someone better, but she proved herself and her love for him. What she did made me like her. I can't say what, but any other noble gal wouldn't do what she did. 

Krystyna's brothers were so annoying. Okay...I get why they hated Alek and they only wanted what was best for their family. However, I wanted to kick them! I'm glad the author humanized them. Yes, they were anti-Alex and whatnot, but they were not horrible people. It was the times! They wanted what they thought were best for them and their family. 

Now, the main reason I picked this book up was because this is set in Poland. There are not a lot of books out there set here! I also loved the cover and the title. The summary sounded good, so why not try this out?? I'm SO glad I did. This was really good. The characters were dynamic. They time period and setting were well brought to life. 

GAH! The ending, I wanted more. I wanted to more of their story. 

In the end, this was an addicting book. I could hardly put it down. The characters were very dynamic and the author brought the world to life. The beginning was a little rough, but the rest is worth it. I highly recommend this to historical fiction lovers. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 5. 

Book Review: Escape to Redemption by Peter M Parr

Author: Peter M Parr
Title: Escape to Redemption
Genre: Fiction
Pages: ebook
First Published: June 24th 2016
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Josie only had the gun to frighten Curtis Rook, but his son disturbed her. One startled reflex and now he's dead. Josie flees to Poland leaving her boyfriend Snaz to take the rap. A reformed criminal offers her refuge from the police and the chance to begin a new life, but she cannot hide from her guilt. As the stakes rise, Josie begins to realise that only her own forgiveness can set her free.




Can't help but love people stories especially when it comes to finding oneself after horrible events. This story not only follows Josie, but Snaz her "boyfriend". I put that in quotations, because he calls himself her boyfriend, she called him her friend and used him. Not really a shining relationship here. Josie finds out a haunting secret about Rook and his connection to her mom's death, so she decides to force Snaz to help her scare Rook. Sadly, it ends in blood and running from the law. 

Now...Josie...GAH I hated her face. She was such a horrible person especially before that night. She used boys to her advantage, she was nasty to her family, and she was selfish. Yes, I understand that she blames her dad for her mom's death, her stepmother was never really nice to her, and her brother turned on her. I get it, but she certainly didn't help. At the end she really did turn around and I respect her, but the beginning and middle I wanted to kick her.  

Poor Snaz and poor Pete....they were so used by Josie for her own selfish needs and desires. Especially Snaz. She used his feelings for her to force him into going with her and getting a gun. Yes, he should have been the bigger person and not let love/lust cloud his moral judgement, but you can't help who you love. 

I really liked this story. It felt like a soap opera at parts, but it felt SO realistic in others. I can't help wondering what I would do in certain situations. If I accidentally killed someone what would I think and feel? It's easy to reprimand Josie for running from the law, but we haven't been in that situation. Panic sets in and you bolt. It falls into the fight vs flight mentality. I'm sure I might run. IDK I would like to say I would own up to my crimes and take the punishments, but I really don't know. I think that is what I really liked about this book...it truly makes you think and connect with the characters even the nasty, selfish ones like Josie. 

Yes, I hated her. She made up for it, but still. 

This was a good book and I highly recommend it if you do like stories about people, forgiveness, growth, guilt, and redemption. The story had moments of soap operaness, but the rest was super realistic. It made me feel feelings and it made me think. I call that a win. ;D I shall stamp this with 5 stars.