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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Review: There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones


Eighteen year old Finley Sinclair’s life isn’t what you might expect.  Yes, she comes from a privileged family with money but still reeling from the death of her older brother, Finley is struggling. 

In a determined effort to reclaim her life and find the peace she so desperately wants, Finley decides to travel to Ireland as part of an exchange program.  Her goal is to see and experience all the things her brother wrote about in a journal he kept when he was there with the hopes of finding the beauty, the peace and the God that her brother found.

Famous actor and teen heart throb Beckett Rush is also headed to Ireland to film his latest vampire movie.  He is intrigued by Finley’s blatant refusal of him and determines to win her over.  They come to an agreement that Finley will be his assistant in running lines if he serves as her travel guide.

Dealing with the pressure of a new school, a life changing assignment, preparation for her upcoming audition with the Manhattan music conservatory, the death of her brother and a frustrating relationship with Beckett is more than Finley can handle.  Her physical, mental and emotional well being suffer.  Will Finley be able to find the God she is looking for or will she find that He has been with her all along?

I really fell in love with this book.  It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting when I first set out on this reading journey.  What I loved was the deeper feelings I experienced through Finley’s new relationships.  In her struggle to find peace, love and God, Finley discovers so much about herself and life.  While there were so many fun and light moments, they were interspersed with the deeper, more meaningful times where I fully felt Finley’s struggles.  Of course, at times I wanted to throttle Finley for her thick headedness!  Why can’t she see what is right in front of her?  But, honestly, she was a pretty typical eighteen year old, and I know that when we get caught up in grief and pain it is really hard to see the bigger picture.

I love the setting of Ireland.  I really want to go there someday.  This book made me want that even more.
 
Beckett was a character with his own mountains to climb and his own demons to slay.  His journey was just as satisfying as Finley’s. 

Here is my favorite quote from the book:

“There’s nothing you’re searching for that can’t be found in Ireland- God, good music, beautiful landscapes, wonderful food, maybe even parts of yourself.  You just have to be brave enough to look.”

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.  :)

4 comments:

  1. So many great reviews for this book. Yours is fab, too. However, I really didn't like the book all that much (reviewed it, too). The story was same old same old. The writing..now that was superb.
    Happy Wednesday!
    _yay_ @ BookthatThing!
    ° Giveaway going on: post 10/03/11

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  2. You are right about the plot not being anything new. I totally agree. It was the writing that drew me in and made me feel. :) Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. I would love to travel to Ireland some day. Instead I read books set there and find a happy place. I wonder if I'm Irish deep down. I'd love it if you check out my blog.
    betsyloveldsauthor.blogspot.com

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  4. I'll be reading this for review soon. I'm glad you liked it. Right now I can't picture how I wouldn't like a book set in Ireland with a love story.

    -Jenna @ Fans of Fiction

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