Series: Bright Side #1
Published by Self-Published on July 4th 2014
Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Format: ebook
Purchase @ AMAZON or BN
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Secrets.
Everyone has one.
Some are bigger than others.
And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you ...
And some will end you.Kate Sedgwick’s life has been anything but typical. She’s endured hardship and tragedy, but throughout it all she remains happy and optimistic (there’s a reason her best friend Gus calls her Bright Side). Kate is strong-willed, funny, smart, and musically gifted. She’s also never believed in love. So when Kate leaves San Diego to attend college in the small town of Grant, Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with Keller Banks.
They both feel it.
But they each have a reason to fight it.
They each have a secret.And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you …
And some will end you.
Liezel’s Thoughts:
If you’ve noticed 5+ star ratings are pretty far and in between on this blog. After reading “Bright Side” however there wasn’t any question why it needed to be added to that very short list.
I do have to admit however that it was very difficult for me to get into. The first third of the book was one long and boring introduction and at times I thought of giving up and reattempting to read it at a later date but I am glad that I didn’t. Thinking back, it was a necessity since it provided us with an overall picture of just how amazing Kate Sedgwick was.
Kate Sedgwick was the total package. She was beautiful, smart, talented and kind-hearted. She experienced so much tragedy in her young life but somehow manages to accepted and conquer all of it. She was well put together. No matter what difficult issues came her way she always seemed to find the positive in each given situation. She exuded radiance and everyone around her felt that she was something special. She was a breath of fresh air. To me she was an angel.
This is why I wasn’t surprised that Keller fell for her. Just like Kate, Keller had so much tragedy in his life too. He keeps these things a secret knowing that he wouldn’t be given the time of day but when Kate figures out what these secrets are she still accepts him whole heartedly.
She tries to guard herself from falling but when his secrets unravel she is pulled deeper into Keller. To me they were the perfect match. They fit so perfectly I could not picture one without the other.
This is what made the story so heartbreaking. It’s literally been days since I’ve finished this book but every time I sit and think about it I still get sad and weepy. That being said, this book isn’t for everyone. It isn’t a story that’s all “sunshine and rainbows” (or unicorns). It isn’t a tale that has a happy ending. It is depressing enough that you wished you had a bottle of Prozac sitting right beside you.
But even though it was all those things … I wouldn’t change a single thing about it. It moved me so down deep in my core that I know that I would be remembering this book for years. Kudos Kim Holden for delivering such an outstanding story.
Katarzyna
Ten Below Zero by Whitney Barbetti.
liezelsb
Never heard of this one, I’ll def have to look into it.
shabby arora
Deliver+ Vanquish by Pam goldwin. I mean van was a monster yet this brilliant story made me bawl like a baby
liezelsb
Anything Pam Godwin is fantastic!
Maari
Black Hills Secrets by AC Wilson
liezelsb
This one looks good….do I have to read all of them in order though?
Maari
It is amazing! <3 & Not at all! You can read them in whichever order (if you choose). They are each a standalone, with a few of the characters brought up in her other books, as well!
Maria Theresa Santos
kyland by mia sheridan
Erika
I’m not sure. It takes a lot for me to get really emotional with a book. I know there are a bunch that get me there though.
liezelsb
Need to read this one then Erika! Can’t wait to hear if you’ll have the same reaction I did.