SWEET THING by RENEE CARLINO
18 April, 2013
Our Review
Gitte: I absolutely loved Sweet Thing Jenny; I thought it was such a beautiful story. It pretty much had everything that makes a story great. It had music, an addictive story line laced full of every emotion imaginable sprinkled with humour too, seriously it had me hooked right from the start and I could not put it down. The writing is spot on and wow, new book boyfriend alert, without a doubt I fell in absolute LOVE with Will. He was perfection wasn’t he Jenny….sigh!
“And so it began, my secret and suppressed obsession with the sensitive, tortured, artist soul. An obsession I was still fighting tooth and nail and one I wouldn’t admit to anyone, namely myself.” – Mia
Jenny: Gitte I fell in love with this book at the prologue. That may sound a bit crazy, but there was such beauty in the words and something about it spoke to me and drew me in. The prologue held such promise that I hoped and prayed I wasn’t going to be let down and I’m delighted to say I wasn’t. The scene was set and this story unfolded in such intoxicating and beautiful manner that I became immediately engrossed in the story and enamored by the characters. Having the chapters referred to as “Tracks” called to my inner music buff and the intricate way music was woven into this story completely won me over.
“As I watch, I think about the imagery I will create, the picture I want to paint. I imagine colorful words dancing across the page”
Ummm book boyfriend HIGH alert I’d say. I am completely in love with sweet, sensitive, artistic, talented lovable, funny and soulful Will. I’m with you there! He’s definitely earned a place on the TB Book Boyfriend shelf hasn’t he?
Gitte: He sure has! So let’s start with Mia. My heart ached for this girl when she is suddenly faced with the loss of her Dad who was a free spirit, a musician and an artist. She leaves her more conservative Mum and Step Dad behind and travels back on a plane to New York to sort out his affairs by moving into his flat and taking over the running of his café.
The minute Mia steps onto the plane she meets the gorgeous Will Ryan who in spirit is very much like her Dad. The pair of them instantly have a connection and as a reader this is where I immediately fell in love with Will.
Anyway, back to Mia. She embarks on a very personal journey the minute she moves back to New York. Her rationale and her beliefs very much influenced by her perception of her Mum and Dad’s break up when she was a baby. She believes that the free-sprit is destined for disappointment and a life that is filled purely with art and music will never be enough.
I questioned her judgement from the start and was surprised at how dismissive she was of this life style when in my opinion she possessed many of the same qualities as her Dad as well as being an extremely talented musician.
It was almost like seeing two different worlds collide though the lines were very blurred. I have to say at times I wanted to hit her over the head with my kindle…actually a lot of times if I’m honest. I know she was lost, I realise she was trying to re-discover her true self, I know she was deep in grief…I felt her pain and I cried along with her so many times during some absolutely heart-breaking moments…BUT….kudos to Will for having the patience of a saint, his perseverance….his utter devotion and patience. It takes a strong man in absolute unconditional love to put up with what he did that’s for sure. Sorry I got side tracked onto Will again.
So Mia, I did connect with her but I didn’t like her very much through a good chunk of the book. Once she realised just what she had, the amazing gift she was being given, her chance at a life full of love and music. Once she realised that her path did not have to be just black or white…then she redeemed herself and I wanted to hug her whilst shouting “about bloody time”! Did you feel the same Jenny?
Jenny: Well Gitte, Mia was a bit of a conundrum for me. On the one hand I really did feel for her, connected to her, loved her and shared her grief but boy there were many a time I really did want to grab her and shake her. She needed to wake up to herself and really see what was going on around her and identify the hurt she was inflicting on others.
“It’s the change that happens in here that matters.”
I understood that she was on a journey to find herself, a self discovery of sorts to enable her to make sense of everything that had gone on and was going on in her life…..
“It seemed like everything I knew at twenty-five morphed into everything I didn’t know by twenty six”
…but oh boy she frustrated me and I got so annoyed with her at times for the way she sometimes projected her hurt and confusion onto Will. It was never intentional, I realise that, and I understood it was a defense mechanism, but at times seeing Will so broken and hurt killed me. Words hurt and Mia was a bit prone to speaking before thinking and yes, whilst she certainly did regret it afterwards, the damage was done. However, as the story progressed I started to really get her and she did redeem herself for me in the end and I wanted to just hug her. Maybe I was a bit hard on her because I felt so much for Will, I’m not sure.
“Sometimes it takes the love of others to show us who we really are.”
Gitte: Now as for Will Ryan. I don’t even know if I have the words to adequately explain how much I loved him. Will was sexy…he was funny and oh so very talented, he was a mesmerizing character. He could play just about any instrument and he played them brilliantly. He could sing and he wrote heart pounding songs.
Will had a huge heart and as I mentioned earlier, the patience of a saint. He is petrified of flying, and his nervous energy laced with humour was so endearing, I may have melted right from the start.
“You know they say people who have stared death in the face are bonded for life” – Will
There are way too many moments to mention where Will made me laugh. When he told the story of his siblings and his name I had tears from laughter. He was such an amazing guy and my heart broke for him too so many times, he gave everything….he lived and loved with passion and fierceness. He was kind and gave himself 100%. But there’s only so many times you can take rejection and have your heart stamped on right Jenny?!
Jenny: Too right Gitte. Will had the patience of a saint and this man completely owned my heart. Indeed Gitte, how do you put into words how wonderful this man is. Will possessed such a wonderful spirit, a passion for art, love and life, he possessed a truly beautiful soul, a magnetism that drew people to him, and he was sensitive, kind, creative, determined and artistic and yes, there were many times he had me in fits of giggles. I loved his cheeky, playful side. Yes, this man was beyond words. I can’t begin to express the times Will brought me to my knees and made me cry. I absolutely ached for him. He had the ability to make me laugh, warm my heart and reduce me to tears with the flick of a page. When you shared his hurt , it was something you feel deep, deep down in your heart.
“Watching Will like that made me want to be a better person. It made me want to be more like him”
Gitte: So yeah, I loved this story, it touched my heart for so many reasons, the passion and the music, the broken hearts, the healing and self-discoveries…the whole thing really. It made me laugh and it made me cry in equal measures.
“You are your mother and your father. You are your experiences and your fears and the love you let yourself feel. You are your degree and your passion. You are your pain, your joy, and your fantasies….you are every person that touches your soul….but most of all you are you, whoever you dream to be…” – Martha
Sweet Thing touched me somewhere deep within that and I can’t explain it. It will move you, it will make you feel, it will show you that not everything is black and white that it’s okay to live in the grey as long as you know who you are and what truly makes you happy. It’s a story of self-discovery, of love and forgiveness. It is full of passion; it’s deep and so very real. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry
Jenny: I was the same Gitte, this book really touched me and I think it was because it did feel real and you were present in the moment and felt every single word. Sweet Thing is one of those books where you close the page, and as you wipe away the tears you sigh, knowing you’ve just experienced something special, something you want to shout about from the rooftops and share with fellow passionate readers.
When Will and Mia’s story of self discovery unfolds, it will fill you with love, it will crush you, it will frustrate you, it will lift you up and bring you down. You will share every heart-breaking moment and you will live every warm, tender, angry and funny exchange. The author brings the world of music into this story in such a way it almost sings to you and offers you the ability that makes you feel you can almost reach out and touch it. You will read “the end” with that warm book glow…..you know, the one that lets you know you’ve just hung out with some wonderful characters who burrowed their way into your heart.
“I wanted him to own me. I would nourish his body with mine. I would feel his heart; his mind…his soul”
Synopsis
Mia Kelly is a twenty-five-year-old walking Gap ad who thinks she has life figured out when her father’s sudden death uproots her from slow-paced Ann Arbor to New York City’s bustling East Village. There she discovers her father’s spirit for life and the legacy he left behind with the help of an old café, a few eccentric friends, and one charming musician.
Will Ryan is good-looking, poetic, spontaneous, and on the brink of fame when he meets Mia, his new landlord, muse, and personal heartbreaker.
A story of self-discovery and friendship, Sweet Thing shines light on the power of loving and letting go.
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Natalie Stuart said:
Looks like a good book cant wait to read it.
Rach said:
Another one to add, looks like you really enjoyed it 🙂
kp said:
Can’t wait to read this book…added to my TBR list!
Leslie said:
Another fabulous book to add to my TBR on goodreads. Love me a love story and love me some coffee!!!
Sian Lewis said:
Another one for the list!!!
Becky Schmidt said:
thanks for the info and the giveaway!!
Alison said:
I’m a sucker for any book you guys love! Can’t wait to read this one.
Michelle said:
Looking forward to checking this out.
Jessica R said:
this looks like a book i would really enjoy 🙂
Claire said:
Sounds like a must read. Can’t wait to start it!
Leslie Metsch said:
Great review ladies. Woul love to read this!
Christina said:
Sounds great, now on my tbr list !
Joanne Careri said:
Great review. Can’t wait to read this.
Carrie R said:
Sounds like a good one, going on my TBR list for sure.
Heather said:
Sounds great, can’t wait to read it 🙂
Debbie A said:
Sounds awesome!
Amy R said:
I have added to my TBR list.
Riley Faith said:
Looks like a great book!
Joanne Cowan said:
Great review ‘ another one for my tbr list!
Vicki said:
Love the review! Sounds like a great book!
Elizabeth Gunderson said:
I have been stalking this book for so long.. It would make my day if I was lucky enough to have this gem!! Good Luck Everyone!!
Barb said:
Can not wait to read this book!
Jen P said:
Wow…4.5 stars…definitely on my tbr now!!!
Isabel said:
Amazing 🙂 Dying to put my hands on this book.
Mary Mooney said:
This one sounds really good. Added it to my to read list. Great giveaway!
Annie said:
You’ve intrigued me yet again. Thanks!
Debra D said:
Looks good, thanks for the giveaway!
Tracy said:
Another great sounding book to add to my tbr list…
Karina L. said:
The book sounds good! Just put on my TBR list 🙂
Lou Gut said:
Another great review ladies. Thanks
sandy murphy said:
Sounds good, would love to read it.
danielle james said:
I really want to read this!
Vanessa Mehl said:
I cannot wait to read this
Izzy said:
This sounds so good! Since I can’t afford every book out there, I make sure to read all the ones you ladies rate higher than 4 stars…. which means I’ll grab this one;)
Tina M said:
Love the cover of your book..Thanks for sharing it with all of us!!
Kirstin Clarke said:
Sounds like a great read!!!!
Kirstin Clarke said:
Sounds great, another for the TBR list!
Julie VN said:
Looking forward to reading this book. Awesome giveaway!
Kate I. said:
Thanks for a great review, ladies, and for the giveaway opportunity!
Karen Thorp said:
Sound like a great read.. can’t wait to read it :)…Thanks for the review and the infor. & the kind giveaway., You Ladies Rock 🙂 <3
Joan said:
Love the review!! I am adding this one to my TBR pile!
Rosarita Reader said:
This book is already on my Goodreads TBR and my Amazon wish list, I would LOVE to read it. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
Marissa said:
This books looks so good!! Thanks for this giveaway 🙂
Dawn Bush said:
Cannot wait to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!
Pam said:
Sounds like a great book!
Katrina whittaker said:
Sounds like a great read . Thanks for the review ladies and giveaway 😉
Tess said:
Eeps! I miss Kellan and although I’m not looking for someone to replace him, Ryan sounds like a new book boyfriend I totally need! Thanks so much for recommending this book! I added it to my Amazon wishlist and I hope to win an ecopy! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Tess xx
tess_halim(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tammi said:
This one is one my TBR list! Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Erica McCullough said:
Another one to add to my TBR list.. Can’t wait to read this book also!!!
Wendy said:
I’m still debating on whether or not to just break and buy it. Lol
I’ve got so many ARC’s to read though and not enough time in the day, but I really really want to read this one. Can’t wait!
Thanks for the chance!
Ann said:
Can’t wait to read this one! Sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Sandy Lion said:
Loved the review and any book with coffee on the cover has to be a winner! sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
Amy S said:
Thanks for the giveaway!
Cheryl S said:
Excited to read this book! Thanks for the great giveaway!
julie said:
Im excited to read this one !!!
Roxanne G said:
Added this to my TBR already. Can’t wait to check it out!
Leslie Cox said:
Great review, can’t wait to read it.
Stephanie said:
I was on the fence about this book until I read your review. Now it’s a must read! Thank you for the review and giveaway!
Jolene A said:
Loved the review, this sounds like a great read!!!