[CLU]∎ [PDF] A Song for Julia Charles SheehanMiles 9780988273634 Books

A Song for Julia Charles SheehanMiles 9780988273634 Books

Download As PDF : A Song for Julia Charles SheehanMiles 9780988273634 Books

A Song for Julia Charles SheehanMiles 9780988273634 Books

I'd like to preface this review by saying that I primarily read books by self-published authors. I do this to support their work and, well, because I'm cheap. In so doing, I read a lot of books that, despite their large number of 5-star reviews, border on being pure crap. But, that being said, every once in a while (often enough for me to keep reading), in the middle of all that crap, I find a diamond. This book is one of those diamonds.

Told in an alternating first-person perspective, it is the story of Crank, lead singer and guitarist of a struggling punk band and Julia, an international business student at Harvard. In almost all respects, they are polar opposites: Crank is compassionate, open, intuitive, laid-back and fiercely protective of those he loves. Julia, on the other hand is distrustful, tightly controlled and closed-off. Together they learn the value of family, trust and commitment. And that's really simplifying things.

The story was emotionally charged without being angsty. It was well-paced, flowed smoothly and all of the secondary characters were fantastic as well. I could see where a reader might want to reach into the book and give Julia a shake but she was dealing with some long-standing issues that could not be fixed overnight - and she was able to come to terms with it in the end. There were scenes here and there that might stretch believability a bit but I never let minor believability issues hamper my enjoyment of a good book.

I believe this book is classified as New Adult and the limited sexual content is not graphic.

Highly recommended.


Tags : A Song for Julia [Charles Sheehan-Miles] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <div>From the bestselling author of  Just Remember to Breathe</i><br /><br /><span> "It's real. It's raw. It's ugly. It's beautiful." </i><b>-- Andrea Randall,Charles Sheehan-Miles,A Song for Julia,Cincinnatus Press,0988273632,Romance Contemporary Romance,Adult & contemporary romance,Coming of Age,Contemporary Women,FICTION Romance Contemporary,Fiction - Romance,Fiction : Coming of Age,Fiction : Contemporary Women,FictionComing of Age,FictionContemporary Women,Romance - Contemporary

A Song for Julia Charles SheehanMiles 9780988273634 Books Reviews

Julia is a college student at Harvard. While working at a anti-war protest in Washington D.C. she meets the lead singer of a local Boston band, Crank. They couldn't be more opposite, but end up going out together before they have to return to Boston.

"Appearances don't mean everything..."

Julia is the oldest of six daughters. Her father's job has taken them all around the world being a U.S. Embassador. To most, this sounds like a fascinating way to experience the world, but Julia feels the opposite. Every few years her family would move, so she's had to give up her friends, her life and start over. She's a very guarded person and doesn't get close to people, not even her college roommates. She's had to learn the hard way not to trust people.

Crank is the lead singer, guitarist and song writer of his band, Morbid Obesity. A high school dropout who flips burgers part time. A playboy. He's very up front with the girls he sleeps with. He doesn't do relationships.

After returning from D.C. and even though things didn't end the way he would've liked them to with Julia, Crank can't get her out of his head.

"I was so screwed. Because no matter how much I tried to think about Alicia or Candy or ... whatever that girl's name was with the leopard pumps ... all I could think about was Julia."

Soon these two begin hanging out together. The band even hires her as their manager. Crank falls for her pretty quickly which is unusual for him. When he professes his feelings to her she runs off. She can't fall in love. She can't lose control of her life like that now matter how she feels. So she immediately shuts Crank down. So pride set aside, Crank does what he thinks she wants and let's her go.

"You need to know that I'd do anything for you...even kiss you goodbye and watch you go."

Can they ever be anything more than just friends or colleagues even? Will she ever give up control and fall in love? Can she still manage the band, be around Crank and not give in to love?

I loved Julia's friendship with Crank's brother, Sean. He has Aspergers and has a hard time making friends. She treated him exactly how she would want to be treated. It was so simple, yet so special. I also loved how Crank's family took her in so easily. She has a strained relationship with her own parents, but I think Crank's family helps her conquer her fears. This was a fabulous read, one I would highly recommend.
So, I really, really enjoyed Just Remember to Breathe (Thompson Sisters) and immediately downloaded this next in the Thompson Sister's Series! I don't know how Charles Sheehan-Miles writes such a romantic, dramatic, heart-felt story, but he is excellent at it and can count me as a fan. This is saying a lot, because I DO NOT LIKE to read romance books by MALE writers. I usually find their female characters missing any depth of emotion and the loves scenes, shallow. But not this author! (honestly, I had to check his author page to confirm he was a guy; I was so impressed).

Just like her sister Alex, Julia Thompson was a wonderfully fleshed out character that was just as emotionally wounded as Dylan was in JRTB. She ran away from relationships after being betrayed and abused by her family, her best friend and her first love. She was unable to trust, to love and to be loved, so when Crank, the lead singer of the band Morbid Obesity fell hard for her, she panicked and ran.

Crank had his own emotional scars that kept girls at arm's length. Oh, he would sleep with a different one any night of the week, but he was careful never to make any commitments to any of them. He was the first one to be shocked by his intense feelings for Julia, but was quick to accept that he wanted her and only her. He was tired of "being alone in a crowded room". Crank's home life was filled with a loving family that had trouble with mental illnesses that caused strained relationships and absentee parenting. The result was a rebellious Crank who was finally tired of being angry.

Julia and Crank were puzzle pieces meant to fit so perfectly together. It took awhile to realize they were part of the same puzzle, but when they finally come together, the picture is perfect. This is a beautiful love story involving two bleeding souls who heal themselves and each other. I loved it and will be anticipating the next installment in the Thompson Sister's Series.

Would I/Did I buy it? Yes
Would I read it again? Yes!
Would I recommend it to friends? Yes!
I'd like to preface this review by saying that I primarily read books by self-published authors. I do this to support their work and, well, because I'm cheap. In so doing, I read a lot of books that, despite their large number of 5-star reviews, border on being pure crap. But, that being said, every once in a while (often enough for me to keep reading), in the middle of all that crap, I find a diamond. This book is one of those diamonds.

Told in an alternating first-person perspective, it is the story of Crank, lead singer and guitarist of a struggling punk band and Julia, an international business student at Harvard. In almost all respects, they are polar opposites Crank is compassionate, open, intuitive, laid-back and fiercely protective of those he loves. Julia, on the other hand is distrustful, tightly controlled and closed-off. Together they learn the value of family, trust and commitment. And that's really simplifying things.

The story was emotionally charged without being angsty. It was well-paced, flowed smoothly and all of the secondary characters were fantastic as well. I could see where a reader might want to reach into the book and give Julia a shake but she was dealing with some long-standing issues that could not be fixed overnight - and she was able to come to terms with it in the end. There were scenes here and there that might stretch believability a bit but I never let minor believability issues hamper my enjoyment of a good book.

I believe this book is classified as New Adult and the limited sexual content is not graphic.

Highly recommended.