Sometimes there’s no tragic event.Sometimes there’s just sadness. Just numbness.Sometimes it’s just a depression you can’t understand. When Alara’s depression reaches its pinnacle she’s left feeling broken, vulnerable, and more than a little uneasy about moving forward. And although she’s made it to the other side she discovers that the hardest battle may simply be moving on and accepting the … and accepting the hardship she’s been given. Because by all accounts she should be happy, but she isn’t and she still can’t understand why. So she’s moving forward, but with the weight of her guilt and the constant fear of another episode, is she really living? Or has the fear of another episode become just as crippling as the episode itself?
Then she meets Gabriel, a grieving soul struggling to get past his mother’s death and figure out his future. As he reconciles his past and begins planning his future, it becomes clear that he wants Alara in it. He wants the sarcastic, fearful girl that always seems just a little bit out of reach. But will the girl who’s never been able to see a future give him a chance? And when he discovers her darkness, will he still love her through it?
Will she let him?
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Unveiling the Sky is an emotionally breathtaking tale that took complete control over my body, mind and soul right from the beginning and held on tight until the very end! Alara and Gabe’s story wholeheartedly engulfed every inch of my heart, causing me to experience ALL THE FEELS! I once again found myself inhaling every moment of their story and falling even more in love with them the third time around (yes…it really took me three times reading this phenomenal story to FINALLY find the right words to express my thoughts).
Jeannine Allison shows readers the TRUTH behind depression that causes us to take a deeper look into ourselves and those around us. As someone who has an up close and personal experience with depression, I couldn’t be more proud of this author for the impact she has made by writing this story. She does not hold back any punches and makes sure that readers experience every emotion possible while following these two on their journey. Alara and Gabe’s relationship struggles at times and their up and down moments have you feeling all twisted inside, and that is the beauty of their story. It’s not perfect, no relationship ever is. They show us that we have to live in the moment, not looking back to the beginning and most certainly not waiting for an ending. LOVE is about being with the one you couldn’t imagine your life without and these two certainly show readers just that!
This story happened to be the author’s debut novel back in 2016, but you would not have expected that because of her captivating storytelling ability! If you only read one book a year, you NEED to make sure it’s Unveiling the Sky! Trust me…YOU WILL NOT REGRET READING THIS STORY! Alara and Gabe will forever hold a special place in my heart for as long as I shall live!
This is a beautiful debut novel that tackles the heavy topics of major depressive disorder, loss, and family expectations. The heroine and the hero have instant chemistry, but their issues make them dance around and then unintentionally hurt each other. But in doing so, they help to heal the other. There were some beautiful passages from the book, especially towards the end, that are indicative of great things to come from Ms. Allison. The pacing was a bit off, but I think that more experience in the craft will remedy that.
A brave debut with heart and honesty- 4 stars.
This was a sweet story. Alara has depression. No one wants to upset her. Gabe lost his mother to cancer and feels like if he doesn’t change his life he will lose himself too. This unlikely couple and their friends will make you smile and remember what it was like to fall in love. Recommended read!
This was such a great story with wonderful characters. Although the story deals with a “heavy” topic the author did it in a way where this was still a light read that readers will enjoy. Naomi, Alara, Sherry, Gabe and Derek will have you smiling and laughing at them. This story also had a bit of a suspense feel to it up until Gabe found out exactly what was going on with Alara. I would definitely love to read a book or two about the side characters. I would love to see them get their HEA. I would recommend this book and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
WOW!! JUST WOW!! SPEECHLESS is how Jeannine Allison left me with this Beautifully written story Gabe & Alara! She is a First time AUTHOR for me and left me an Emotional Wreak but I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! Being that this was her debut book and had personal issues written into it, makes even more Outstanding Lovely Story!!
This Book deals with Depression and Anxiety where two people TRY to find a common balance to their so called “broken” self. That’s the way Alara thinks she is when she meets Gabe and wants to date her. She keeps pushing him away but he keeps moving forward. Even though Gabe is dealing with his own issues, He questions himself if he will ever find happiness again. Dealing with a one parent loss and the other being non-existent. Then throw in some Best Friends, siblings and a New roommate, you have yourself a Passionate Rollercoaster Ride with all the Feels!
Unveiling the Sky is like no another Book I’ve before and A Must Read Book!! I LOOK FORWARD TO READING MORE OF HER BOOKS!! HANDS DOWN!!
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Alara
He must have known what I was thinking, because he gave me a small, knowing smile when I lifted my head.“Besides, the truth is far more complicated.” He paused to take a deep breath before continuing. “The truth is… you’re the girl I can’t stop thinking about. The girl I want to ask on dates and kiss whenever I want. The girl I want to trust with my secrets in exchange for her own. The girl I’d give anything to introduce my mother to.” His voice broke at the mention of his mother, and I felt my doubts shrinking. “I want to know how you lost your first tooth and what your favorite cartoon was. I want to know what your favorite flowers are so I can bring them to you when you’re sad and what your favorite candy is for when I piss you off.” We laughed as he shook his head and pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “I want to be your New Year’s kiss and the guy you tell your friends about. I want… I just want everything with you.”
Well! This took me completely by surprise!
As a chronic sufferer of Depression and Anxiety this book was going to go 1 of 2 ways for me. I was either going to get a few pages in and have to stop because it was going to be a trigger OR I could completely sympathise and still feel the story aside from the depression. Thank the heavens for me – it was the latter. I would have been devastated if I had gone through my “reading life” and not found Jeannine Allison! Now….. I have a new favourite author for my TBR lists!
Alara is an amazing character. She is a strong female lead who has it tough. Trying to wade through the messiness that is depression and anxiety; yet you still can feel the strength of her. A great testament to Jeannine’s writing. I felt so devastated for her, but was sending her more strength through the power of my Kindle, to help her get through. She has an amazing circle of friends who have supported her through her hardest of times. They have loved her unconditionally. They have never judged her.
Then there’s Gabe. *swooning* Gabe. Having spent his life trying to make his father happy, when tragedy strikes, he realises that he needs to live for him! Nobody else. Whilst grieving, Gabe tries to find himself. This means walking away from the life he has always known and the security that life brought him.
But those things don’t matter when he sets sight on the girl who will turn his soul upside down – Alara.
Every character in this book is written so well. Jeannine gives us small insights to all of the characters, which is no easy feat when the crux of the story is about two other people. She has found a way to let us in to all of their lives, whilst not losing the main story of Gabe and Alara.
This story has given me some amazing quotes, and one in particular that settled in my heart. Now lodged there as a quote from a story that I’ll never forget.
If you haven’t read anything from Jeannine Allison before, then you need to start here! Meanwhile, I am off to finish the series.
#jeannineallison #unveilingthesky #gabeandalara
A truly gripping story!!!
A diagnosis doesn’t have to define who you are, that’s what this beautiful story of friendship and love teaches us. I love books that ring true and this one is beautifully written and reflects the true aspects of human nature. Love Alara and Gabe and their willingness to put each other first!!
This is such an extraordinary story, that hooked me before I even finished the prologue. I loved the fact that the author delved in to a subject that affects so many people, and the story was beautifully written.
Alara and Gabe were not the typical heroine/hero that you see in romance stories, but they will be two of my favorite characters of all time. There is just something about finding the person that can bring you out of the dark and into the light, and Alara and Gabe did that for each other. They were the right person the other could be alone with.
I loved everything about this book from start to finish, and I can’t wait to read more about Alara and Gabe, along with all the other amazing and wonderful characters that were introduced in this story!
Jeannine Allison’s debut novel, Unveiling the Sky (Unveiling Series Book 1), is a contemporary new adult romance told in dual POV. The story beautifully tackles some very sensitive subject matter as it follows Alara and Gabe on their journey to finding love.
Alara struggles with clinical depression. She’s never endured any major tragedies in life, yet depression is a constant force that she faces daily. Gabe lost his mother to cancer and made some major life changes right after she passed.
When Alara and Gabe meet, they have an instant connection, although both are struggling with overcoming obstacles in their lives. Their path to love is not easy, but it’s realistic. There’s a lot of misunderstanding and confusion along the way as they learn to honestly communicate their feelings.
I loved Gabe’s desire to understand and support Alara, and really enjoyed watching the trust build between them. This story is honest, realistic, heartfelt, and sweet. What a great debut! I plan to read the others in the series.
4.3 stars
A beautiful poignant story about how destructive and debilitating depression is. The author did a fantastic job showing how it affects everyone.
In the poignant but heartwarming Unveiling the Sky both Alara Black and Gabe Moynahan are suffering for different reasons. The two find themselves with an unmistakable attraction and so begins the navigation of the real meaning of love and all that entails. Heartbreaking and heartwarming with descriptive prose and deep dialogue puts you there with them on their journey. The scenarios and interactions are handled brilliantly. The progression of their relationship with the obstacles they face, the hesitation yet excitement in the discovery of evolving feelings, the deep connections they feel are clear on each page. Alara and Gabe are sensitive, caring, mature, insecure and wonder, as we all do as they navigate through life and love, if we are deserving of such an all-consuming love. A supportive group of friends and family add to the dynamic of the story. Love, loss, acceptance and the sensitive subject of depression are all handled with care. It’s a beautiful start to the Unveiling Series.
First I have to commend the author for drawing on her own experience with depression. This only made this story more intimate and realistic. Jeannine Allison did a phenomenal job with Unveiling The Sky and it was her debut book! Her prose was raw, honest and most of all poignant. I knew and expected this story to be heavy with emotions and it was but it had to be given this serious topic. It only made me connect and want to relate with Alara, Gabe and their friends.
First I have to say I loved these characters. They were so real and human. Alara was a fantastic character. I wanted to understand her struggle with depression and how she viewed herself and peoples reaction to her. She wasn’t weak. She was strong in her acknowledging how the disease affected her and her friends. Her struggle was described beautifully. It definitely struck a chord with me. Gabe was a flawed guy with so much heart and love to give. His inexperience with depression was captured perfectly and I could easily understand his insecurities that came with being with Alara. His love for her and vice versa was all consuming. Their road to a relationship was well developed and done at a perfect pace. Nothing felt rushed. It only gave me the time to experience them fall in love, navigate through their uncertain future and be right there with them. It was intense, angsty but it certainly also had steam. They were phenomenal together and only confirmed their love for one another.
Now let’s talk about the secondary characters cause they were simply fabulous. I loved Alara’s BFF Naomi and Sherry. Their support and love for Alara was unconditional. Once again I really appreciated, that their struggle with being friends with a person with depression was a priority too. I understood their insecurities and how it affected them too.
Naomi’s brother Derek and Gabe’s sister Sam was great too and their interactions and hidden looks definitely made me wonder. I need more with these two and can’t wait.
This was a fabulous book. Jeannine Allison did an excellent job at capturing and creating a story about this serious and common disease. I connected with these strong and lovable characters. I learned from this story. It had so much heart and soul. What a gem!
Unveiling The Sky was the first book I have read by Jeannine Allison. I was hooked from the very first page. I felt so many different emotions with Alara and Gabe’s story. It was an emotional roller coaster ride and it was worth it!! Just have a box of tissues handy! It was raw, honest and a truly beautiful story.
Jeannine Allison is a truly talented author and I highly recommend Unveiling The Sky.
Wow. This was such a stunning book! The storyline is phenomenal and unique. The characters are AMAZING (I seriously want to hang with all of them).
The author has done an amazing job of bringing the characters and the story to life. There were so many moments that will stick with me for a very long time. Excellent character development, beautiful descriptions. She managed to shatter my heart at one point, then put the pieces back together so wonderfully.
It has to be noted… As it says in the blurb, our heroine has depression… Jeannine has written a story that has done something nothing else ever could… It has helped me to better understand the disease.
I absolutely recommend this book and I’m starting book 2 now!!!!
What a beautiful book of intense emotions. I love Jeannine’s writing. She’s my modern day Jane Austen.
Unveiling the Sky was beautifully written novel dealing with the difficult topic of depression and loss. This was my first novel by Jeannine Allison and I absolutely loved it. The main characters Gabe and Alara were both complex, well developed characters who you could not help but love.
I loved the circle of friends these two had. These secondary characters lent support to the main characters and I just loved the friendship and family closeness you got from them.
This novel was touching and informative at the same time. It was real and raw and will have you rooting for these characters from start to finish.
This page-turner was a phenomenal read and I would highly recommend it.
Wow! This book is a lot. A lot of feelings. A lot of fun. A lot of heartbreak. A lot of love. Alara is a beautifully raw, honest character. What she sees as her flaws are what drew me to her. And Gabe, well I adored him. Again, not your average romance hero but that made him, for me, even better.
I absolutely love when an author is brave enough to write about real people, real problems and real romance. Sure I love the perfect HEA stories like anyone, but it’s the gut wrenching, emotion packed difficult love stories that I remember. This is a story I will definitely remember.
This book packs a punch and you will need tissues, but for me it’s also a story that reminds us to focus on the now, what’s important and to accept that while life may not be perfect it’s definitely beautiful.
“We’ll just focus on now. Not the beginning or the ending, just the middle.”