How I Found You by Gabriella Lepore

Author: Gabriella Lepore
Publisher: Book Guild Publishing
Published: July 26th 2012
Pages: 276
Format: Paperback
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
Add It: Goodreads, Amazon, TBD

Summary:

It is peaceful
Ever since I read The Witches of the Glass Castle, I knew that Gabriella Lepore has a unique and creative talent so it was with happiness that I received her second published book, How I Found You. Fortunately, as I started reading this book I realised that the writing style is just as magnificent as her debut novel and I am absolutely certain that Gabriella is an author to keep an eye on. Her novels are always so interesting, compelling and entertaining and I will forever be on the look out for more of her work.

But there is danger
How I Found You actually exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting, in all honesty, but it was one story that truly captivated my mind and soul. The story takes place in a quiet village, a place that is full of normality and tradition; a place not known for odd occurrences. So when two brothers arrive and things start to go askew, Rose is unwilling to play along. She is ready to get to the bottom of their plan – to unveil them once and for all. I loved how it all transpired together. The way it was so obvious that something wasn’t quite right and yet, as a reader, not being entitled as to what was wrong with the scenario. It was brilliantly done and helped to make the page-turning happen quickly – you simply need to know what is going on.

There was a few things that I cottoned on to – thanks to reading The Witches of the Glass Castle and understanding a little more about Gabriella’s writing style but I was still pleasantly surprised by the end of the book – for some twists I simply hadn’t seen coming. The plot of the book may have the possibility of seeming overwhelming to some but for me it was so intriguing and captivating. The mystery of the novel, the suspense, and the action, all lead to a truly compelling read that I found incredibly difficult to put down. After all, how could I return to normality when I didn’t know if Rose was going to sort it all out?

Lurking in the shadows
What really helped to make this story read-able was the realistic and lovable characters. Rose was a wonderful protagonist that I found myself really sympathising with. She was extremely stubborn, strong-willed and heavy hearted and I couldn’t help but to enjoy reading about the her journey. There were a few times when I rolled my eyes at her or wanted to shake her to stop being so silly but other than that, she was a character that I simply grew to love. That love, however, was nothing compared to the love I felt for Oscar. Oh, that boy had my heart racing all over the place. He was the perfect blend of a bad boy gone good. He had dilemma’s coming at him from all corners and I just wanted to cuddle him and tell him that he had to make the right choice; the only obvious choice. He was protective, charming, and delicate; although he would probably hurt me for telling you all! He was a truly remarkable character that I easily could have read more of.

The relationship between Rose and Oscar was also something that kept my interest in the book. There were times when I felt like it was a bit too much, or a bit too fast, but at the same time it felt so natural and perfect. You could just feel how much Oscar felt for her and you could see why Rose fell into that, fell for his words and the feelings he shrouded around her. They completed each other and I just loved how much he was willing to do for her, to be for her. It was really great to read and was half the reason I just kept on turning the page – I needed to know more about them and their lives. How Rose affected Oscar’s life was actually one of the most compelling parts of this entire book.

Waiting for the moment
There were some moments in this book that I found incredibly hard to get behind but I feel that this is because the writing style and the characters felt so realistic to me that I often forgot everything else that was going on – almost as though I forgot I was reading altogether! Fortunately these moments were few and far between. In the meantime, there were enough moments full of laughter, excitement, suspense and tears to keep me entertained as I worked my way through the book that these issues barely felt like a blip on the radar. It would be near impossible to write a book that was completely perfect – especially to everyone – but Gabriella has definitely done a great job of getting close.

To destroy everything
All in all, How I Found You, is a book that I utterly enjoyed and loved. It is a book that is full of spark and flare which holds a story that you will remember for a long time. With entertaining subplots, a thrilling main plot, and a lovely homely feel to it, this book is one that is guareented to be loved by many. I would easily recommend it to any YA lover and especially to those who love insta-love but even those who like a little bit of romance thrown in. It is also gripping enough to be liked by those who like a book that is full of thrills and suspense. In my opinion, Gabriella Lepore has managed to outshine herself by writing yet another wonderful, magical, captivating story that will keep you hooked from the very first page right to the very last one.

** I received this book in return for an honest review **

four out of five hearts

Faye