Ashley SchumacherBesprekingen

What in the world did I just read?
I haven't the faintest idea of how to begin this review but I'll try.
As impossible as it sounds, the inside of the book is even more beautiful than the cover *heart-eyes*.
I thought that a book could get any better than some of my favorites, but this one was in a category of its own. The character's emotions seemed so deep and lifelike. It was incredible to read and I felt myself feeling their emotions as the story progressed. All the characters were great and I would really love to see more about Alex someday.
Normally I am not a fan of epilogues but this one completely different from any other that I've read.
The writing style just drew me in and all the bookish references kept this bookworm quite giddy with excitement.
Now, I HIGHLY recommend that you find a copy of this book ASAP once it releases on February 16.

Rating: can I give it 10/5?
Language: a**, s***
Romance: kissing
Spiritual: n/a
Violence: deaths of loved ones

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

Parts of Amerlia Unabridged absolutely sparkle. Schumacher writes earnestly and thoughtfully, producing gorgeous descriptions that genuinely made me fall in love with reading all over again. Of course, I can't point to specific quotes at this time; you'll just have to trust me that there are some beautiful, heartbreaking bits and pieces in here.
Other parts err on the side of trite and predictable. I felt like the author couldn't quite decide if she wanted to write a typical teenage love story (which wouldn't be a bad thing) or a more complex young adult coming-of-age. Of course, I was reading an unedited manuscript, so I can't know for sure what this story will be by its official release. I'm excited to see the final product, and even more excited to see what Ashley Schumacher produces after this. She has a ton of potential, whatever she chooses to focus on!

“Maybe we're twin planets and our options are either to distantly orbit the same star or else collide and take everything down with us.”

A brilliantly poetic and sweet story of childhood best friends torn apart by circumstances and then reunited, a year too early.

When Jordan and Nova were little, they build their own kingdom - Snailopolis. But when Jordan is taken away from his abusive parents, he promises to find Nova again when he's eighteen. Nova's mother's job takes them all over the country, however; and one day when she's seventeen, she looks up at a new school and there's Jordan, one year earlier than he promised.

Jordan's now a popular football player with an adoring, genuinely nice girlfriend named Abigail. His life trajectory seems set - date the cheerleader, get a college scholarship and maybe even go pro. But then Nova comes back into his life, unlocking all these layers of feelings that he didn't even know he was capable of.

Nova's conflicted because Jordan's life seems so set, and she still can't figure out who she is or wants to be. She feels like all her moves have kept her from putting down roots long enough to find herself. She's drawn to Jordan, but also feels like they should stay away from each other.

This will-they-or-won't-they romance captures your whole heart. The author's signature gorgeous lyrical prose style really sings in this book. The ending is perfection and will leave you with a big book hangover.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for a positive review.

"Full Flight" was a sweet YA read. I loved Weston and Anna. Told from alternating perspectives, the relationship which grew between them captured the excitement and intensity of first love in an authentic manner. The fact that Anna and Weston were in a marching band was interesting and I loved all the musical references.

I didn't read the synopsis before reading this novel so I was shocked at the events that occurred. Overall, "Full Flight" was a lovely story that brought tears to my eyes.½

First sentence from prologue: I was ten when I first met the Wizened Old Wizard.

First sentence from chapter one: I wonder what the wizard would tell me now, if he could see me standing with my elbows resting atop the stone wall looking down below into the lazy river moat with literal alligator floaties. I wonder what he would say if he could see my swirling thoughts.

Premise/plot: Madeline Hathaway, our heroine, is mourning the loss of her mother. The first year anniversary of her death is approaching. She and her father will be spending the summer working at one of their favorite renaissance fairs. (They travel the circuit. They used to--all three--travel the circuit. It's been different since she's died. Both are grieving in their own way. Readers don't really glimpse *how* he is handling things, but Madeline journals every little thing--literally. She's a chronicle notice-r. She tallies every little thing--day after day, week after week, month after month. (Every time she does something; sees something; feels something; hears something; etc.) When the novel opens, she is about to meet Arthur, a wonderfully weird kid whose dads are equally obsessed with all things Renaissance. These two kings of the faire [or is it fair?] want--at Arthur's insistence--Madeline (whom Arthur calls Gwen) to be the princess, to play the role of princess. She's hesitant and anxious. But after some thought she thinks her mom would *want* her to do this--to step outside of her comfort zone of peasant/peddler and be a princess for a change. As she gets to know Arthur, she begins having many other unexpected adventures... But are these summer changes permanent?

My thoughts: I liked this one. It was premise-driven, in my opinion, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. I thought a few scenes were unrealistic. Granted, I haven't been in Target lately, but I've never once had any employee volunteer to be my personal shopper and hand-select clothes for me to try on, to be at my own beck and call and bring all the sizes, give opinions on what works and what doesn't. That scene feels like a movie-montage-wanna-be. Again, my opinion. Maybe it was just a really slow day?

Madeline is a larger heroine, and, it's nice to see that in a romance. She's much more than just a size, obviously. And I do wish--at least a little bit--that it wasn't such a plot point. Oh this boy couldn't possibly like me because I'm too large to be likeable. I mean it's the trope. And it's a trope that usually brings satisfaction--lovable heroine realizes she was beautiful all along...

Madeline's dad is very absent--physically, mentally, emotionally. He's just always gone. Perhaps because she is trying to avoid him???? Or perhaps he is trying to avoid her???? But it's rare for them to be in the same place and actually talk. This is typical YA, of course. Parents rarely if ever play an important role however. Arthur's two dads, on the other hand, are VERY present--physically, mentally, emotionally. They are scene-stealers. Madeline has a million conversations with Arthur's parent(s)....very few with her own. They are everything her own father is not.

Cute, but it felt rather one-dimensional... I can only stand the misconceptions and lack of open communication for so long before I get bored. Sadly, by the time that Maddie and Arthur finally aired out everything, I had already lost interest. This book will most likely appeal to an actual young adult, but I think I'll personally stick with Jen DeLuca's books for a Renaissance Festival fix.

CW: loss of loved one in car accident. loss of loved ones by drowning, thoughts of dying after guilt over death of loved ones, emotionally absent parent, father leaves wife and daughter

Well I loved it.

Everything worked for me.

The characters were real, and their raw and painful moments had me tight chested and teary eyed. I also luxuriated in the many warm moments that made this book a joyful reading experience. I don't know what else to write. The writing was incredible and the story mesmerising. Simply wonderful.

An empowering romance between a fat heroine and a nerdy teenage boy.

Maddie's grown up on the Renaissance Faire circuit, but now she's about to go to her mother's favorite fair with the anniversary of her mother's death looming over her. Even worse, the new owners have changed everything, making it hard for Maddie to recognize the place that was so special to her and her mom. She's determined to spend the summer noticing everything she can - in case she loses someone else - and hiding in her trailer.

But then she's visiting the Renaissance Faire grounds at night and meets a teenage bard who insists on calling her Gwen, short for Guinevere. He's the son of the new owners and has the personality of a mischievous puppy dog. No matter how hard Maddie tries to push him away, he keeps coming back. He even convinces his dads to make her Princess of the Faire, pulling Maddie out of her comfort zone in a million ways at once.

The will-they-or-won't-they tension between Maddie and Arthur makes every step of progress feel monumental. Maddie’s struggles with anxiety about her weight and grief from her mom's death are equally dynamic. With a fun setting and great characters, this teen romance encourages both Maddie and the reader to find the courage to laugh again after loss.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Marching band ✅
A love story ✅
A heartbreak that cannot be taken away ✅

Ashely Shumacher has done it again. She warmed this former band geek’s heart and shattered it at the same time. Anna and Weston are two halves of a whole, brought together by music…and homework. We watch as they come together, first love, first everything, only to have the unimaginable happen. Just as she did with her first novel Amelia Unabridged, she takes the reader on a journey of self discovery, acceptance and a love that survives across the heavens.

Life doesn’t always go the way you planned it. This book destroyed me but it also reminded me about my love of reading. Two friends bonded by one book. When one of those friends has to leave, the other takes to journey on a path like she didn’t know she was fated to take. This was a love letter to friendship, two books, to the imagination. I really can’t see more because I don’t want to spoil it but it was amazing and I highly recommend this book.

This book is an incredible debut I felt so many different emotions while reading this book.! I can not imagine losing my best friend. The author depicts a tremendous amount of grief, in this book, and shows you how someone's death can make you question your future. .The slow-burn romance between Amelia and Nolan is both beautiful and sad. Anyone who reads this book will thoroughly enjoy this incredible book. I know I absolutely did and I believe anyone who decides to read this book will as well.

Ashley Schumacher has a gift with words. Her writing is the type of writing that makes me want to keep a notepad beside me as I read, so I can jot down various quotes and philosophies that she shares in the character’s dialogue and are good for me to remember when I am in a similarly low place. Schumacher‘s writing, above anything, is what kept me hooked in Full Flight.

This novel explores the identities of two very different high school students and their individual journeys to discovering the things that they want, love, and need. This is an example of a YA contemporary novel that digs deep into the lives of the protagonists and puts to shame anybody who would dare say that YA books are vapid and shallow. Schumacher‘s exploration of the teenage experience in Full Flight is not the stereotypical, small town romance that we have seen so frequently in the genre. Anna and Weston’s stories are shaded with uncertainty, fear, hope, and grief. Of all these, Schumacher has proven through Full Flight and Amelia Unabridged that she can write grief so evocatively as to make it impossible to read one of her books and not get teary-eyed.

At first, I didn’t like Full Flight at all. I kept trying to compare the book to Amelia Unabridged and in doing so, I robbed myself of the experience that this new book had to offer until I was about halfway through the novel. These characters are flawed, but they are made of passion and need. Their sorrow drives them and the relationship they build opens the story from its confining cocoon into a full butterfly.

This book made me sad in all the right ways. Full Flight may not be that novel that you obsessively read over and over again, but it is the type of novel that will stay with you because of the way it digs at your heart. Schumacher has once again proven that she is capable of writing a heartbreaking story with characters who leap from the page and haunt the reader. I really couldn’t ask for anything more.

The writing in this book is beautiful, and the plot twist definitely caught me off guard. I’m not the target audience for this book, so take my review with a grain of salt. The middle of the story seemed drawn out, and I was really just reading to finish the book at that point, because I was so far in. It just felt slow and too much. I also don’t know much about marching band so had a hard time connecting to that. Overall, I think this book is great for the right reader; that reader just isn’t me.

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

A stunningly soulful novel that takes the reader inside the poetic minds of two lonely band nerds.

Weston feels like his parents' divorce burned down everything good in his life, tainting his childhood memories and condemning him to the outskirts of life in his gossipy, holier-than-thou small town. He identifies with a bird he did a report on that was the last of his kind, singing his part of a duet and waiting for a mate to fill the blank spaces.

Anna has a great friends group and a loving family, but still struggles with what she calls the shadows when she feels like she may not measure up to everyone's expectations. When she's struggling with a duet in band, she convinces Weston, against all his instincts, to help her with it. The two find themselves drawn to each other, filling in the missing spaces in the duet of each other's lives.

I adore this author's work so much! This book captures your heart with lyrical writing, then takes you on an emotional roller coaster. I wasn't expecting to end this book crying, but I did. Prepare to have your heart shredded and put back together by the end of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the advance review copy of this book.

What a weird combination of "just a bit boring, really" and "absolutely delightfully perfect" this YA romance and exploration of grief was for me. Amelia and Jenna are such good friends, they're practically sisters--and Jenna's parents have just about raised Amelia throughout her high school years. The girls' graduation present from Jenna's parents is a trip to a book festival where they'll get to meet the teenaged author of their favorite book series, a series that has special meaning to them, especially to Amelia. Things go awry and the author cancels, but through a weird twist of fate, Jenna meets him briefly and Amelia doesn't, which causes a bit of a rift between them. And then Jenna unexpectedly dies. And through some more strange twists of fate (or of Jenna's machinations?), Amelia meets and befriends Nolan, the author she so admires, and they form a connection over shared experiences of similar grief.

Some of Schumacher's turns of phrase throughout the book, and her ways of talking about reading and what it can mean to people, and her understanding of the joy of sharing books with others, just made me grin while I was reading. But I never really felt like I got "in" the story, and I kept stopping to say, "wait? is this believable? would this person really do x?" or "hang on, does this motif work? How is it connecting up to the rest of the imagery in the story?" Ultimately the book was a bit unsatisfying and flat for me, though it definitely had its moments that simply delighted me.½

Amelia loses her best friend in a car accident and the grief paralyzes her from making decisions about her future. I loved this one so much more than I was expecting to.

It made me want to visit the small town in Michigan and read the Ormond Chronicles, the fictional fantasy series Amelia loves. More than anything, it made me want to visit Valerie's, the bookstore that's central to the plot. Some of the characters seem cranky, but they show their love through actions, not words. They are fiercely loyal and defend their friends that need protection from the outside world. I loved the story of two broken people finding each other through their pain.

It’s not just a love story, it’s about grief and growth, and figuring out what you want in life when the world turns upside down, and being brave enough to go for it.

"There’s something about the absence of light mixed with near exhaustion that loosens tongues and strengthens relationships."½

i didn't mean to read two books with grief at their core back to back. i didn't actually know what either of these were about before listening to them, but as it happens, everything the edge of falling, which i liked, was missing, this book had.

i love so much of this. i always love books that are love letters to books and the magic in books and the worlds they create, to the healing they gift us, to the other realities they create for us. there's a little magic in this book that isn't book related, and i love the way its woven in. the friendship and chosen family, the story of the strength found in other people and how those people can help us find our own strength is just lovely. this is about grief and vulnerability, about friendship and chosen family, and about how to choose your own path and live your own dreams. and each of those strands is handled so well.

i don't feel like there needed to be any romantic component at all and i'm a bit disappointed there was; it almost diminishes the message about friendship and connection. i also didn't love the way she first discussed photography, and amelia's "one shot" thing, but that didn't last long. these are the only nitpicks i can find; i really liked this.

i think i will even listen to this one again, something i have yet to do with an audiobook. (and maybe i'll feel differently about the romance then.)

"...I slowly start to populate the bleak world with things that make life worth living. When I'm done rebuilding the world, it is made up of love, the loss of it, and the finding of it. It is the finding, the possibility of discovering more, that I love in this lifetime..."½

I really liked this book! I really didn't know a whole lot about this book before I decided to read it. I loved the cover so I decided to give it a try. I am so glad that I did. Amelia goes through a lot in the pages of this story and I enjoyed watching her deal with everything. I found this to be a very touching and entertaining story.

Amelia and her best friend, Jenna, are just like sisters. They do everything together and Amelia is included in Jenna's family functions. As a graduation gift, they go on a trip together to a book festival where N.E. Endsley is scheduled to appear. He is the author of their favorite books and Amelia is really looking forward to meeting him. Things don't work out as planned and they head home to follow the rest of their plans for the summer with Jenna going on a trip and Amelia doing some college prep. Then tragedy strikes and Amelia is left to try to pick up the pieces and figure out how to move on.

I really liked the characters in this book. Amelia went through so much in this book and I thought that her range of emotions felt very authentic. I really enjoyed getting to see her work through things and make new connections. I love that she was willing to open herself to new connections and possibilities. Nolan has also been through a lot and is very guarded. I loved seeing him come out of his shell and take a chance. All of the supporting characters from Alex, Jenna's parents, and Val were all wonderfully done and added a lot to the story.

This was an emotional yet hopeful story. I loved the fantastical elements that played a role and appreciated the fact that there was a good dose of humor worked into the story. The romance was well done and I couldn't help but hope that they would be able to make things work. I had a fantastic time reading this book and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others.

I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press - Wednesday Books via NetGalley.

The velvety richness of this semi sweet semi tormented read was delicious and everything I wanted... needed... everything and so much more. The trauma, the resilience, the neurosis, the healing the strength, the weakness and resolution, the family both born into and found, the loss and the finding... and so many other more layered, nuanced emotions that fail to jump to mind right now... all nestled deep within this precious tale.


I listened to this book in 2 sittings. That might not sound impressive but I hid behind locked doors for almost 2 hours after finishing my chores in order to hear what happened next soooo.... here I am... at the end of the epilogue... tears in my eyes and I'm not quite sure if they are happy ones or sad. I don't want to leave this room... this oasis of infinite possibilities that Amelia, Nolan, Alex, and the rest of the cast I have come to see as Family and Friend, have created in my home, behind these locked doors, making it feel wonderous. The narrator of this audiobook was Lesa Wilson. She and this story were a perfect fit. This is the type of book that calls me back to the YA genre again and again even though I am quite a few years past Young Adult status.

I loved Amelia Unabridged and all of the complicated Feels it is making me feel! It was a fairytale-esque book with the feel of a personal journal plus the magic and charm of a quaint town bookstore plus a sweetly budding Amore coming together to form a poignant memoir... a love letter... a guided tour of how our drowning MC, Amelia, emerged from the tumultuous, unrelenting Sea of Grief and managed to find refuge on its shores with another who was coping with his own grief demons.

Overall:
Amelia Unabridged was beautifully written and beautifully narrated!! It felt like peeking inside someone's diary... intimate, raw, visceral and unfiltered and I happened to LOVE this guilty little pleasure!

This world, on the other hand, was everything... at least it was to me... and I'm almost positive that if you give these beautifully broken characters a chance to whisper their beautifully spun yarn directly to your heart, you will treasure it as much as I do! All that beauty tied up in an exquisite little package that is definitely bigger on the inside.

I am thankful to that deviously Clever Wind for gently nudging me towards this gem AND I hope that, if this review doesn't sway you, you'll find that Clever Wind at your back leading you to this book as well.

~ Enjoy

Two teens haunted by ghosts of those they loved. Amelia's best friend Jenna died in a car crash shortly after a painful situation that left them estranged. Reclusive and mysterious Nolan, a famous author while still a teen, is haunted by his two younger sisters. Amelia's haunting seems to be propelling her in an unimaginable direction while Nolan's are holding him in a very painful stasis. Her obsession with his two books about a magical world called Orman is heated by the arrival of a limited edition copy of the two books, sent from an obscure book store in a small Michigan town. What follows is magical, painful at times, and ultimately beautiful. Reading this was like waking after a particularly vivid dream, one that haunts you in a very emotional way. A terrific read!

Amelia Unabridged is a remarkable story and one that has the potential to hit on a deep level. If you consider yourself a booklover, have experienced loss, and/or are a fan of YA fiction, don't hesitate to pick this book up.

Amelia's father ran off with another woman and her mother barely pays attention to her. A chance encounter at a local bookstore marks the start of Amelia's friendship with Jenna. Soon they are inseparable and Amelia essentially becomes a second daughter to Jenna's parents. Both Jenna and Amelia are avid readers and after graduating high school they attend a book convention. The author of The Orman Chronicles, N. E. Endsley will be there, and to say Amelia is super excited to meet him seems like an understatement. This is a story of love, loss, and finding direction just to name a few things.

I really don't want to discuss much of the plot because I think the reading journey will be better without many preconceived notions. I will say I absolutely loved how much books and reading played such a crucial role in this story. And of course the topic of grief is something that has been covered extensively in fiction, but the way it was handled in this book felt unique. It's a touching story and is a good example of how the YA fiction genre is capable of providing meaningful reading experiences.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.½

Amelia Unabridged is a beautiful story that is complex and simple at the same time. It's about friendship and sisterhood, making choices between obligations to others and listening to yourself, and being open to possibilities. Amelia and Jenna form a tight bond over a fantasy book called Orman to the point of author obsession. A tragedy happens after they attend a book festival and Amelia must learn to live without her close friend. She receives a mysterious package in the mail and takes off across the country to investigate. Who sent the package? Amelia meets Nolan, Alex, Val, and Wally who all make a huge impact on her life. Nolan has his own story of tragedy and success. Alex is a best friend that is always trying to make things better. Val is all around amazing and wise. And Wally is unbound comedic energy. The reader is pulled into their world and is constantly wondering what Amelia will decide to do. Will she be able to let go and follow her heart? Amelia Unabridged is magical and I didn't want the story to end!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from NetGalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

There are some books that have certain kind magic to them, a buzz that lures you in unawares. Inkheart is one of those books for me, as well as The Magicians. There’s wizardry and extraordinary things afoot! And while Amelia Unabridged is not a portal world fantasy, it captures that feeling. The feeling that all the mundane and ordinary is about to fade away as the protagonist and the reader enter a more astounding, more interesting, more tolerable world.

That feeling of “there’s magic in these pages” is one of my absolute favorite things about reading, and it’s my absolute favorite thing about this book.

Amelia Unabridged comes in a few different pieces. It’s a book about grief, specifically grief about lives lost too soon. It’s about honesty and vulnerability and carving your own path. It’s also a bit of a love story to readers. If you’re a bookish soul and you have That Book or That Series that wraps you in a cocoon of warmth and joy, you will relate to Amelia’s love of Orman. I really liked Amelia and her development, and how undeniably chill she was about Endsley because I have no chill about anything and I would have made it weird. I liked that Amelia didn’t always make the choices the reader wanted her to make. She was dynamic and layered, and a good, quiet protagonist.

I like quiet protagonists. There aren’t nearly enough of them.

The plot here is a quiet one, too. Not underdeveloped, please don’t misinterpret that, it’s just… it’s an internal struggle as Amelia contends with her own happiness and honoring her best friend. There’s a lot about personal growth and the struggle between being genuine and being grateful and finding a way to be both. There’s no battle of good vs. evil in Amelia Unabridged. It’s just Amelia vs. Amelia. And there’s a little bit of a cute romance and two people finding one another and helping each other through their grief.

I really enjoyed this book. It was quick-paced and light enough to be an easy read, but it was also meaningful and wasn’t afraid to take on some difficult topics. I also really enjoy books about photographers and about writers, and Amelia Unabridged had both. I was drawn into this story every time I sat down to read it, and I’ve pre-ordered the book already because I know I want to read it again. It’s a good book. Really! I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who loves books, lost a friend, or just enjoys a little cute, impossible romance in a YA novel.

This book is for every girl who’s dreamed of meeting and falling in love with their favorite author. Hopefully that wasn’t just me!

When Amelia’s family falls apart, she’s staring into a bookstore window when Jenna sees her. Jenna pulls her into her happy life and family, and the two girls bond over their favorite books: The Orman Chronicles. The two girls plan to best friends forever, and sign up to be roommates at the same college.

As a graduation present, they travel to a convention to meet the legendary, reclusive author, N.E. Endsley. But only Jenna meets him when she bumps into him shortly before he cancels his scheduled appearance. Amelia is bitter, but when Jenna dies two weeks later in a car accident, Amelia’s world is ripped apart again.

When a mysterious limited-edition copy of the book arrives in the mail, Amelia is sure it’s a sign from Jenna. Following a clever wind, she tracks down the sender, finding the damaged N.E. Endsley himself. Do they recognize kindred hurting souls in each other? As Amelia learns more about him and how he built the world of Orman, she begins to doubt everything. Does Amelia still want to follow Jenna’s plan for her life or forge her own way?

This left me with tears in my eyes (the good kind) and a smile on my face. This book is like one giant hug for everyone who’s ever fallen in love with the world of a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing this advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.