*Jen received a free copy of Tear You Apart by Megan Hart from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.. The opinions expressed are her own and were not influenced by the method in which she received the book.
At some point in this book I was either angry, turned on, or so upset I yelled at my husband. It was midnight, he was already sleeping, and I had finished Tear You Apart. I sat there for a while, just absorbing the ending and then, BAM, the anger hit. After everything, that’s how it ends? I was so emotionally gutted that I yelled at him which turned into tears of anger. Then, I made him listen while I recapped the story so he would understand why I was just so upset. I’m pretty sure he thinks I’ve lost my mind. I kind of felt like I was losing it, with all the angry crying I was doing. The more I thought about it, the more I was just gutted by the end. It took me forever to fall asleep because all I could do was relive the the whole damn book. I woke up the next morning still feeling raw, but I had a slightly different outlook on the ending after getting to sleep on it. I think this book is going to cause some serious emotional responses in readers.
From the time I read the books description, I was intrigued. I liked the way it was written, straight from the main characters thoughts. That’s how the whole book is written and it allows the reader to feel like they are in the story, experiencing the highest highs and the lowest lows. Elisabeth doesn’t experience the world like everyone else does, literally. Elizabeth has synesthesia (which is real, I looked it up!), which is a neurological disorder. When she hears a voice, it smells to her. When she experiences certain feelings, it can make her see colors. It’s wild and unique to have that in a book, and I will say that I found myself picturing in detail what Elisabeth was seeing and smelling. It heightened the emotional connection I shared with the main character. It was one of my favorite parts of this story.
I loved that Megan Hart wrote these characters as mid-40’s adults. No whiney adolescents, no macho bad boys, and I want to give Megan a high 5 for writing smart, intelligent characters. Elisabeth is a 45 year old woman, who is married, lonely, and feels underappreciated. Then she meets Will. Normally, I can’t stand these kinds of affair stories. Hasn’t the adultery storyline already been killed to death? Apparently not, because I was sucked in from page 1 and never once thought about not finishing it. Elisabeth’s journey from start to finish is a rocky road. I wanted to scream at her to get her crap together and fix things, and then her husband would act like such a jackass that it made me want Elisabeth to leave. I felt like I was hanging on to the middle of a tug-of-war rope, being pulled in different directions and the end of the game wasn’t in sight.
I felt bad for Will, but he knows what he’s getting into from the moment they meet. He’s an adult. He made the decision. So when he starts pulling his crappy stunts I feel like kicking him but then, what’s the guy supposed to do? How long does someone wait? I don’t know the answer to that question but I know that Will must feel like he’s hanging from the same tug-of-war rope that I was.
And then we have the ending. It wasn’t what I was expecting. It wasn’t easy to see happen. I think that sometimes we get what we deserve and Karma can be a bitch. I’m just not sure Elisabeth deserved what she got. I may not agree with the ending, but the author made me angry cry (is this even a current book term??), so she’s definitely doing something right!
My rating: 4.5 emotional, sexy, and gripping Stars
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~~GIVEAWAY~~
On to the fun stuff! We have an exciting giveaway ~ one lucky reader will win a Paperback copy of
Megan Hart’s Tear You Apart (US only) courtesy of Harlequin! To enter, answer our question in the comments section. Good luck!
Question: Tell us about the weirdest place you’ve been caught reading.
Must be over 18 to enter. Open to the US only. Giveaway ends September 9th, 2013 at 11:59 pm Eastern time. The winner will be selected on or before September 12th, 2013 and notified by email. Winners have 48 hours from date/time of email to respond. If no response is received within the time limit, winner forfeits the prize and a new winner will be drawn.
About the Author:
Jen loves to read. She can’t stop herself. It’s become an obsession. She is in love with her husband, kids, iced coffee and books. Jen lives in beautiful Colorado but is originally from the West Coast.
I love the fact it seemed to evoke so much emotion in you I think that is always a sign of a good book 🙂
I wanna say the bathroom cause that is the only peace I get…lol…..I have actually went in, put the top lid down, read so that no one will bother me, they are thinking I am actually using the bathroom. But hey, I got to enjoy a few chapters! 🙂
I too read in the bathroom when I am taking my bath. I soak for a long time and if the book is good, I read longer.
Tear You Apart sounds like a really good book but not one I would want to read before bedtime.
I do believe in karma and really like emotion stuffs, this book sounds good to me..thanks 🙂
Agreed, if the author can make you experience such a strong emotion as an ‘angry cry’ it has to be good writing. 🙂
I want this book!! As a massive book worm/nerd I know any book that results in lots of emotions is a must read!!
Amy~ I may or may not pull the same bathroom trick. If my husband is reading this, I love you honey. lol
i read in my car while im in car line at my kids school. thats really the only quiet time i get
Dear Jen,
Please don’t wake your husband up at midnight to yell at him about a book. Re-read a naughty part, then wake him up! 🙂
Love Pattypie
PS – Love your review as always. 🙂
I once read a book as I was walking my kids to school, I was in a good part and just couldn’t put it down.
Hmmm… I read books everywhere I go, in the car, in the bathroom so I can get peace and quiet, whereever.
WOW this sounds so interesting. I love books that put me right in it!
If a book is good I will read while cooking (bad idea) I will read until 4am. I will pretend to work and hide at my desk. Nothing stands between me and a good book.
I love this review. I’m sure you’re husband was not very happy being awoken to someone so utterly emotional.. lol Weirdest place I’ve been caught reading is on the living room couch when I was supposed to be up cooking dinner. Husbands just don’t get how intense reading can be, and that other things like eating fall to the wayside.
Weirdest place I”ve been caught reading? One time at work when I had to sit through a very boring meeting. I tried to hide the book in my binder, but was caught by the person sitting next to me. Fortunately, he just told me to put it away, and didn’t say anything more about it. Now that I have Kindle and Nook, I’m not sure what would happen.
I would say the bathroom. Sometimes it’s the only place I can read in peace! I love Megan Hart’s books!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Okay, so I tend to get into books as you seem to as well. I can honestly say that I HAVE done everything you listed above while reading a book. More so a series of books than individuals because I get even more attached to the characters & the story line! I am so looking into this book…crazy ending or not lol
Becca,
This book is totally worth the crazy ending!
I love how we all hide in the bathroom for some peace and quiet!
I love books that can get a lot of emotion out of me. I personally gauge a book on that. It sounds like a very good book that I would enjoy.
I’ve never really been caught reading in weird places but I’ve read in about every place imaginable. I even take my Kindle to the bathroom with me if I’m totally into a book. I read EVERYWHERE you can think of. I’ve even missed my stop on the train in NYC because I wasn’t paying attention while reading. lol. This sounds like a really great book. 🙂
My weirdest place would have to be at my desk… it is on break… REALLY!!!
Wow, that was such a compelling review that I am sure I now have to read this book! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks for the review. I love reading books and I am going on a long plane ride and was looking for something to read. This intrigues me so I will pick it up!
The weirdest place I was caught reading was many years ago. I was a cook on an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf and to cool off we were allowed to go into the walk-in freezers. I took a paperback into there during one of my breaks and stayed there a long time.
Same here – The bathroom is my main reading place, simply because no one interrupts me in there.
It sounds like a strong book . I would love to read it sometimes.
How nice to have time for reading! I haven’t for awhile, but this book sounds interesting.
This definitely sounds like a very interesting book that I would enjoy! The most “interesting” place you can ever find me reading is the bathroom – hey, sometimes that’s the only place you can get some peace and quiet! 😉
OptimisticCourtney [at] gmail [dot] com
caught reading in a public restroom
the cover alone has me interested!
Sound liked a very interesting story! The weirdest place was in my bathroom, too!
Wow, any book that can make you feel those types of emotions has to be deep. The way you describe it really makes me want to read it now 🙂 Great review!
The weirdest place that I have been found reading is the bathroom
Probably the bathroom or I used to read in class sneaking it under my desk haha. I never did get caught.
Bathroom at the airport. Lol
Ooo, this one sounds great! I love a book that gets my emotions and my mind thinking.
Thank you x
At a rock concert in between shows!
Based on the cover and the title, I automatically assumed it was going to involve younger characters. I am intrigued that they are older and also by your strong emotional response. I guess I will have to brace my husband for my potential reaction if I decide to read it!
Strangest place… a bouncy house carnival.
I’d have to say walking and reading at the same time seems to weird people out. I can read and walk without running into anything or anyone!
The weirdest place was in a dirt floor basement….It was the Quietest place at the time.
I need to look into this book. I love anything that makes me feel real raw emotions.
AT MY PARENTS HO– — USE IN THIER CLOSET.
Definitely definitely definitely when I was so immersed in a book in elementary school during recess and I looked up and realized EVERYONE had gone inside. OOPS! 🙂
in the closet-to get away from kids noise! LOL!
Probaly the strangest place is in the bathroom but I know so many people do that so maybe not so strange lol thanks for the chance to win!!!
In the bathtub, only time i get peace and quiet
This Giveaway is now closed. The winner will be emailed and once confirmed, it will be announced. Thanks to everyone for entering!
Wow this is quite a review! I’ve been hunting for some new books to read for a while and even though this post is old I think I might have to get this. (And I’ll prepare my husband for some angry tears and shouting!)