SWEAR ON THIS LIFE by RENEE CARLINO
31 July, 2016

Our Review
‘She sat there holding her smooth legs to her chest, staring out the window, popping her gum, bored, and saying inconsequential things. But still…she was the center of the universe. She could make the whole world go around without even breaking a sweat.’
Wow….this book…..THIS BOOK was everything we could’ve wished for. It was breathtakingly unique and overwhelmingly addictive. We could not put it down. When we say that every single emotion came into play, we mean Every. Single. Emotion. It was utterly captivating and stunningly beautiful. This is without question one of the most intense and complicated second chance romances we’ve ever read.
‘Our innocence was beautiful, impossible to capture again, impossible to re-create.’
Swear on This Life is one of those stories where as a reader you felt the Author’s soul like a breath on your very being for every page turned. It was quite simply magnificent in its message and true meaning. The way in which the story unfolded was an intense journey of forgiveness, love, healing, discovery and understanding.
“This could be the best thing for us, after it stops being the worst.”
Swear on This Life is a story within a story, within a story. How utterly brilliant and powerful. Her words hit us with such an incredible force they demanded to be felt. From harrowing and tragic childhoods where wounds are opened, continuously weeping into adulthood. Denial, avoidance, absence and indifference. All barriers masking a wound that can only be healed by its creators and circumstance.
“Most of the time people who are lost don’t ever find their way back.”
Emiline and Jase; childhood friends who forge an unbreakable friendship and find a love that’s all encompassing. A true soul mate love that no matter the obstacles, distance and years can unravel. Where one knows the path that must be taken in order to heal the other. We felt them, we lived their journey, and we were them.
“Our story is great. Maybe not all the other shit, but the story of us is perfect, Em.”
Renee Carlino blew us away with this story and we cannot recommend it highly enough. It was utter perfection in its originality, its complexities and the depth of her characters. What could’ve been, what should’ve been. What in actual fact was- when facing the past, the truth and the future of what’s right in front of you. Outstanding!
“We can’t go backward. There are too many regrets. Please just move forward with me?”
Synopsis

When a bestselling debut novel from mysterious author J.Colby becomes the literary event of the year, Emiline reads it reluctantly. As an adjunct writing instructor at UC San Diego with her own stalled literary career and a bumpy long-term relationship, Emiline isn’t thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of a young and gifted writer.
Yet from the very first page, Emiline is entranced by the story of Emerson and Jackson, two childhood best friends who fall in love and dream of a better life beyond the long dirt road that winds through their impoverished town in rural Ohio.
That’s because the novel is patterned on Emiline’s own dark and desperate childhood, which means that “J. Colby” must be Jase: the best friend and first love she hasn’t seen in over a decade. Far from being flattered that he wrote the novel from her perspective, Emiline is furious that he co-opted her painful past and took some dramatic creative liberties with the ending.
The only way she can put her mind at ease is to find and confront “J. Colby,” but is she prepared to learn the truth behind the fiction?
Other Books By This Author
Latest Posts
HAPPY PLACE by EMILY HENRY
“Part of me wants to pretend I have you, but another part thinks I’ll die if you don’t tell me you love me, even if it doesn’t change anything. Even if it’s just getting to hear it one more time.”
MORE THAN I COULD by ADRIANA LOCKE
‘It’s such a simple word – just four letters. Home. But there aren’t enough letters in the alphabet in the world to capture the meaning of it.’
SWEET MEMORY (The Painted Daisies #1) by LJ EVANS
“I’m afraid I’ll fall completely, head-over-heels in love with you, and that you’ll fall back. I’m afraid we’ll discover we’re the missing pieces of each other’s souls.
The words had a beat -a rhythm- like it was a song she’d already written.
THE NEW GUY (Hockey Guys #1) by SARINA BOWEN
“All you had to do was love me.”
OUR FEBRUARY REVIEWS & MARCH ANTICIPATED UPCOMING RELEASES and so much more…
Wow! It really was FABULOUS FEBRUARY as far as our reads were concerned!
We can’t wait to share them with you and hopefully give you some reading inspiration!
We’ve got some fabulous books on our reading list this month! Check out our latest reads, our wonderful current read, and see the books we’ve added to our TBR’s for March!
Featured Author
COLLEEN HOOVER captured our hearts back in 2011 with her unique, warm, funny, sweet, and utterly captivating stories. Our love affair with this incredibly talented author has never waned. Colleen is one in a million!
Upcoming Releases
Be sure to keep updated on all the books headed our way by visiting our TBB Upcoming Releases Page.
Latest New Releases
We’ve got all the latest releases, so be sure to head on over to our New Releases Page!
Sales
We’ve got some amazing books currently on sale! Be sure to hop on over to our sales page and check them out!
TotallyBooked Shop
Have you checked out the fabulous items available in our shop? The Tote Bag is perfect for book signings! <3