Book: Holding On & Letting Go by Alisha N. Cook
Reviewed by Karina's Magical Reads
Rating: 5/5
FIVE STARS...An Epic debut novel that left me REELING in my emotions!! I had no expectations going into this book other than it was a darkish small town contemporary romance and it would hurt. Boy did this one hurt and I don't think I was prepared for the level of trauma the FMC would go through. You know when you get a book and it takes time to tell that backstory about the characters? Those are the books that really want you to know who they are, because when things happen in their lives that you were not prepared for it takes you through it emotionally. You feel what they feel and your heart shatters next to them. Coley's journey was never easy and never kind, with the exception of her times with Silas who was her childhood best friend. They had a bond that was unshakeable and Coley needed someone like that there for her. Coley also had her baby sister, that she always needed to protect and take care of. There were a few certain people within the community who were more family to Coley than her own mother and they never knew what happened to their father. This story shows you what life is like when you have a mother who doesn't care about her children and only cares where her next fix comes from. All the while jumping into relationship after relationship, none of them ever good for the kids and then marrying a man who's just like her or worse. Silas is the main MMC and Coley's constant (as much as he can be as a kid), and he is one of those guys we all wish we could have in our life. He is kind, loving, dedicated and fierce. When Silas grew up and the realizations he has about his feelings for Coley, something in him changes and grows into the person she needs to support and love her through anything. Silas's character ARC was also one of my favorite parts of this story. I wish I could tell you the depths of his love for Coley, but that would ruin the story for you. Trust that Silas is someone I would want in my life.
Coley's story takes you through her young childhood up to her nearing high school graduation in book 1. I think in this story Coley is the standout character for me. After al that she endures, she holds on with all she can...simply to protect the ones she loves. Even if it's at her own detriment. I cried, gasped, grieved and I laughed along with Coley throughout her journey. It felt like she was sitting next me telling me all her deepest secrets and pain. I wanted to reach out and hug her so many times. This is what a book should do, it should make you THINK about these characters and their lives. I don't know about you but if a book makes me feel genuine emotions for a character it's well written. I am so proud of Alisha for the book that she has written. I can hardly believe it's her debut book!! The thought and care she put into her character development, and the backstory that she wanted to tell was so well done. There are twists and turns you don't expect. That ENDING, my gods that ending...I'm not sure if I will recover from it. Coley and Silas's story is a duet, so I am desperately in need of Book 2.
TW Note: This book deals with some very dark and painful topics and scenes. Please read the author's trigger warnings before you read.
Thank you, Alisha for the gifted e-ARC of this book. I am so very glad to have read it and this review is of my own honest thoughts.