Hello lovelies and welcome to my stop for the A Messy, Beautiful Life Blog Tour. I’m really excited to be part of this tour. This book is so achingly beautiful and I can’t wait to rave about it! If you’re new to my blog, welcome to Sincerely Karen Jo. Hope you enjoy reading my review and don’t forget leave a comment down below.

5 ★ – SO ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL

PUBLISHED BY ENTANGLED TEEN OCTOBER  2, 2017

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, ROMANCE, PARANORMAL, FANTASY

PAGES: HARDOVER 300 PAGES

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Synopsis

LIFE IS FUNNY SOMETIMES.

AND NOT ALWAYS THE HA, HA KIND. LIKE THAT ONE TIME WHERE A HOT GUY TRIED TO KISS ME AND I FELL. DOWN. HARD. AND THEN FOUND OUT I HAD CANCER.

I’M TRYING TO BE STRONG FOR MY FRIENDS AND MY MOM.

AND I’M TRYING SO HARD TO BE “JUST FRIENDS” WITH THAT HOT GUY, EVEN THOUGH HE SEEMS TO WANT SO MUCH MORE. BUT I WON’T DO THAT TO HIM. HE’S BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE WITH HIS FAMILY, AND I’M NOT GOING TO LET HIM WATCH ME DIE.

SO, I TELL MYSELF: SMILE ELLIE. BE FUNNY ELLIE. DON’T CRY ELLIE, BECAUSE ONCE I START, I MIGHT NOT STOP.

Review 

This book is INCREDIBLY AMAZING. How can something so upsetting and heartbreaking be so full of life and laughter?! Dealing with cancer will never be easy. I knew going into this book that I would get very emotional. I was so ready to bawl my eyes out, but instead of crying till my eyes swelled up, I actually laughed…A LOT. I mean there were plenty of tears involved, but A Messy, Beautiful Life filled my heart with so much hope and joy. By the end, I just wanted to give everyone I love a big hug and never let go.

It’s actually been a few days since I finished reading this book and I still haven’t stopped thinking about everything that’s happened. I LOVEEEE this book so much…SO MUCH that I know this will be one of my top ten favorite reads in 2017. The cover is ridiculously gorgeous. The title is utterly perfect. The writing is exceptional and the story… it’s so so BEAUTIFUL and I just can’t get over all the FEELS.

I absolutely love Ellie and Jason. Ellie is a fantastic character. She’s loving and caring. She’s extremely talented, hilarious and witty. She’s also very strong, inspiring and full of life that I wanted to be around her. I just love that girl so much and rooted for her the entire time. Jason… this guy will always have a special place in my heart. He’s charming and sweet. He’s the perfect gentleman and I fell so hard for him. Watching these two interact together is really fun! Their chemistry is simply amazing. I love all the cute flirting, playful bantering, sexy kisses, and tender moments between them. Their romance is super adorable, and swoony and will make your heart so full of happy.

The other characters are wonderful and I adore them to pieces. Ellie’s stepbrother, Craig, is very thoughtful, caring, and awesome. He makes me heart melt into a puddle of goo and I just love him. Ellie’s mom is just the BEST and I want to hug her! The mother-daughter dynamic/bond is definitely goals. Hana and Quinn are totally kick ass and the most amazing best friends ever. The relationships between the characters are just so great! I don’t want to give too much away, but there is seriously so much love in this book. Not to mention the characters are well-developed, genuine, and believable.

A Messy, Beautiful Life by Sara Jade Alan is a lovely story about learning to find humor in life despite dealing with something really terrible. It’s riveting, deeply affecting, and very inspiring. While some parts are heartbreaking and just really sad, this book is also filled with so many fun, hilarious, and heartwarming moments that will make you smile and laugh out loud. Everything about this book is just so achingly beautiful. I love this story with all my heart and can’t recommend it enough. Alan’s writing is phenomenal and I’m absolutely excited to read whatever she writes next!

P.S. – Ranma ½ is the BEST and one of my favorites! I used to watch that anime with my brother when we were young. Definitely got nostalgic and made me miss those days.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Sara Jade Alan wrote her first comedy sketch during second grade recess, then cast it, directed it, and made costumes out of garbage bags. Since then, she has performed in over a thousand improvised and scripted shows all over the country. When she lived in New York City with her college improv group, she worked as an assistant to a best-selling author of young adult novels featuring strong female heroes and was completely inspired by her books and the awesomeness of her teen fans. Spending a year on crutches, Sara turned to writing her own young adult stories and was hooked. Currently, she is one-half of the comedy duo, The Novelistas, who perform about writing and teach performance to writers. Hailing from a suburb of Chicago, Sara now lives in Colorado with her husband—who she met in that college improv group—and daughter, who they waited a bunch of years to make. She is a member of and guest instructor at Lighthouse Writers Workshop.

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A Messy, Beautiful Life Prize Pack, which includes A Messy, Beautiful Life tote bag, DVD of the anime rom-com Ranma 1/2, Disco ball keychain, Bag of Marshmallow Mateys cereal.

 

Thanks for reading lovelies! I hope you add this amazing book to your TBR and fall in love with Ellie’s story.

Sincerely Karen Jo