Love and loss... Life After Juliet by Shannon Lee Alexander (Blog Tour Review & Giveaway) @chapterxchapter @shanlalexander @EntangledTEEN


I loved the premise of this story of what happens after Becca loses her best friend and has to
learn to live while somehow not forgetting. Check out my full review and the giveaway below...

Life After Juliet
by Shannon Lee Alexander
YA Contemporary
Hardcover & ebook, 304 Pages
July 5th 2016 by Entangled: Teen

Summary

Becca Hanson was never able to make sense of the real world. When her best friend Charlotte died, she gave up on it altogether. Fortunately, Becca can count on her books to escape—to other times, other places, other people... 

Until she meets Max Herrera. He’s experienced loss, too, and his gorgeous, dark eyes see Becca the way no one else in school can.

As it turns out, kissing is a lot better in real life than on a page. But love and life are a lot more complicated in the real world...and happy endings aren't always guaranteed.

The companion novel to Love and Other Unknown Variables is an exploration of loss and regret, of kissing and love, and most importantly, a celebration of hope and discovering a life worth living again.

   
   
Also at Amazon CA.
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My Review

LIFE AFTER JULIET was a surprisingly down-to-earth, bitter-mixed-with-humor, and sweet story. The dialogue and tone were both well carried. The characters were lovable even when frustrating to the reader because they felt authentic. The way the drama production of Romeo and Juliet was weaved through the story and how it was portrayed in these characters' lives was marvelously done. This is not a retelling, but a story that was heartfelt and unique with moments of laugh-out-loud humor mixed with soul-wrenching sadness and friendships and romance that brought love and hope. Recommended to readers who enjoy contemporary YA.

So lets dive in... These characters. I mentioned that sometimes they're frustrating. They are! I wanted Becca to break free and live, but at the same time, I got it. I wanted her to pull down her walls, especially in regards to Max. Her grief is so very real though. I loved her relationships with her brother and with Darby and some others. The conversations were seriously so fun and spot on. I loved the bluntness and teasing. I have to say that I loved Becca (she grows on you more and more as the story goes), but I really loved Max. He was such an interesting and amazingly talented character. Sweet, humble, and solid. He gets Becca, but even more, he's willing to stand by her even when she doesn't realize he's there. I loved his presence in this story and how his persistence wears Becca down but also lifts her up.

There was such a lovely mix of humor, honesty, sadness, and romance in this story. I think the reason this story really worked for me was not only the great characters, but the overall voice of the story and that it was balanced so well between the sad/hard things and then the good/fun things. Then there was this journey for so many characters in how they changed or became. I loved how the characters, drama crew, and production all evolved and just the general vibe or tone of the story. I really like this line from Becca that shows a little of the honest humor and sums up the feel of this book:



". . . So, as a friend of mine once said to me," I pause and find Victor at the fringe of the crowd. "Let's go break all the legs that ever were."

In the end, was it what I wished for? Yes. I would have loved it to be cleaner, but it was realistic. I loved the characters, how Romeo and Juliet was part of it, and the bittersweet plot and romance. I'm planning on definitely going back and reading the first book, Love and Other Unknown Variables, especially after meeting Becca's brother, Charlie.

Content: Some language and innuendo.

Source: Received a complimentary eARC from the publisher through NetGalley and a tour host, which did not affect my review in any way.

Author Facebook Takeover

Check out or join the event HERE.

About the Author


Shannon Lee Alexander is a wife and mother (of two kids and one yellow terrier named Harriet Potter). She is passionate about coffee, books, and cancer research. She spent most of her time in high school hiding out in the theater with the drammies and techies. Math still makes her break out in a sweat. She currently lives in Indianapolis with her family.


Tour-Wide Giveaway


Open internationally, but prize packs ship only to US. International winners will receive Amazon gift cards (listed below).*
·    Grand prize: Hyperboles are the best EVER! tote bag, a 4oz. Novelly Yours Antique Books candle, Toe-meo and Juliet Shakespearean socks, Life after Juliet poison and dagger necklace, Velveteen Rabbit note card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate*
·    1st Runner Up: Hyperboles are the best EVER! tote bag, a 4 oz. Novelly Yours Antique Books candle, Toe-meo and Juliet Shakespearean socks, Life after Juliet dagger earrings, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate*
·    2nd Runner Up: 2oz. Novelly Yours Antique Books candle, Life after Juliet dagger earrings, Velveteen Rabbit note card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate*
·    3rd Runner Up: 2oz. Novelly Yours Antique Books candle, Life after Juliet dagger earrings, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate*

*All contests are open internationally, but international winners will receive the following:
·    Grand prize: $25 Amazon gift card, signed signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate
·    1st Runner Up: $20 Amazon gift card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate
·    2nd runner up: $15 Amazon gift card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate
·    3rd runner up: $10 Amazon gift card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate

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Did you read the author's other book, Love and Other Unknown Variables? Have you or are you planning on reading this one?

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