She was out cold. He was her lifeline. Will their unlikely connection survive the shocking truth? Skylar’s memory fractured when she fell from the pier. After waking from a coma, the high school troublemaker has no clue if someone pushed her or she jumped. Surrounded by confusion, she discovers the kind voice that protected her unconscious moments belongs to a boy who’s nowhere near her type… near her type…
Jed watched over the elitist Skylar when nobody else seemed to care. As a chubby black kid from the wrong side of town, he’s completely shocked when the beautiful rich girl actually wants to spend time with him. But in a world where popularity is paramount, Jed’s feelings could get him in serious trouble.
As they sift through the wreckage of her fragmented memory, Skylar and Jed discover an undeniable attraction.
Will uncovering the truth of the past rip them apart or give their unlikely romance a fighting chance?
Face of the Wave is the third book in the captivating Ryder Bay YA contemporary romance series. If you like sand and surf, star-crossed lovers, and a dash of dark tension, then you’ll adore Jordan Ford’s compelling novel.
Buy Face of the Wave to open your eyes to love today!
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In in book one Skylar fell off a pier and end up in a coma. In this book we learn what really happened on that fateful day. This book blew me away. From the storyline to the characters, I loved everything about this book.
There are a lot of places many authors just won’t go. Jordan Ford is one of those authors who definitely should go there. The delicacy and sensitivity applied to some hard hitting topics by this supremely talented author is astounding. The way the author has captured the uncertainties and frailties of the young-adult experience is fantastic, and the attention to detail in developing and nurturing these characters is second to none. I can not praise this book enough.
Jed accompanied Skylar the entire time she was in a coma, always talking to her and putting on music to encourage her to wake up.
When Skylar wakes up from the coma, she doesn’t remember anything that happened before she fell off the pier, she only has a few nightmares.
Living in completely different worlds, Jed believes he will have no chance to be friends with Skylar, but she seems to have changed after the coma.
The attraction that seemed impossible happens between them, and the way Jed encourages her is perfect! The interactions between them are lovely and sweet.
And when Skylar finally remembers what happened before falling off the pier, her revelation can alter many people’s lives.
I loved the story and the conclusion about Skylar’s mystery, as well as being able to see again the characters from the other books in this series.
I highly recommend the reading.
Skylar’s story already started in book 1 when she falls off a pier and lands in a coma. This book would finally reveal what happened to Skylar and was I quite excited to get started and find out what happened to her, did she jump off that pier or was she pushed? I had my theories about this and who was involved, but the author managed to surprise me with some great twists.
While the first 2 books are quite light and uplifting and they touch upon some heavier topics, Face of the Wave has a much darker and heavier feel than the previous two books. And it makes sense given what Skylar’s gone through, but it took some getting used to as the tone was so different. I also can’t really say it’s a fun read most of the time, but it is a good book. The author handled the topics very well. It deals with some difficult topics and at times it was hard to read. But there are also some uplifting and happy moments, which helps.
Skylar was one of the most popular girls at their school. She’s rich, pretty and not afraid to show that off. She had a hot boyfriend and even a guy who sort of stalks her. She liked being admired and seems to be the girl who has everything. Which all changes once she wakes up from the coma. She’s not the same Skylar anymore, she is more anxious, doesn’t feel the same, thee’s this black space in her mind about what happened and her behavior changes quite a bit too. It was interesting to see how much Skylar changes, she wasn’t the most likable character in book 1, but in this book she’s a different person.
While there is a romance, this book is first and foremost Skylar’s story. It’s about Skylar having to figure out who she is now, about figuring out what the black space in her head protects her from, what really happened that night at the pier and then once she knows that how to deal with and move forward. It’s heartbreaking and sad to read what Skylar went through and her feelings and struggles surrounding everything made me feel so sad. I am so glad she has a great group of friends around her to help her through this.
The group of friends that form throughout this series is one of my favorite parts of this series. I love how they form this close knit group that’s there for each other. And how they have each other’s back. I really liked how Skylar and Harley form a tentative friendship in this book and I liked their friendship more than Skylar’s friendship with Savannah. I actually felt Skylar and Savannah’s friendship was quite strained, while Skylar’s friendship with Harley is so different and they have more in common than they thought. I really liked how Harley is there for Skylar as it’s such a surprise. I also liked Aidan and how she has his cousin’s back. I like seeing these characters all interact with each other.
And there is Jed, the love interest for Skylar. And while the full focus isn’t on the romance, I do think it’s a great romance. I just wished we get to see more of how their romance continues as it feels like this is only the beginning. I liked how their romance takes a less common path than we usually see in romance books. I also liked how the author gave Jed his own story as he’s the type of character that usually stays to the sidelines. It did bother me how often he got referred as fat as I just wanted to tell them all how irrelevant that was as he’s such a great character. But luckily the people around him do realize what a great person he is. He’s sweet and supportive, he’s there for Skylar in a very selfless way, being what she needs. And I liked seeing how Skylar slowly falls for this sweet guy who’s so different form the guys she normally goes for, but who is so perfect for her.
To summarize: Face of the Wave is a heavier read than the previous two books in this series as it’s about Skylar who landed in a coma and is now awake. This book is mostly Skylar’s journey, her journey to find out the answers to what happened to her that she can’t remember at first and also her journey to find herself. There is a sweet romance as well as Skylar falls for Jed who is such a sweet character who’s there for her. I also liked seeing the characters from previous books again and I especially liked the tentative friendship that Skylar and Harley start. Skylar changes a lot from who she was in the first book and it was interesting to see, but the reason behind it is very sad as she went through something horrible. It’s a bit of a sad story and hard to read at times as Skylar is remembering what happened to her. But there are moments of light as well and it’s a very well written story.
Face The Wave (Ryder Bay #3) takes on the challenge of dealing with stormy topics.
This is Skylar’s story where she deals with coming out of a coma and figuring out the gaps in her memory. Her journey is sad with moments of light bleeding throughout the narrative.
I love how the friendships between these character’s in this series grow & prosper more in each novel.
I liked the cute acronyms that Jed uses.
A love story with just the right dose & key ingredients to create a cloak and dagger with romance seeping throughout the narrative.
Looking forward to July for the release of Riptide (A Boys Of Summer Novella) Lettie’s love story (Savannah’s younger sister).
Face of the Wave is the third book in the Ryder Bay series, and we finally find out what happened with Skylar. She comes round at the beginning of the book, and is understandably very confused. She goes along with how her parents, and everyone, expect her to be, but she knows something isn’t right. She just can’t figure out what it is yet. Jed has been there for Skylar whilst she was in a coma, but now she’s awake, Jed is sure she won’t want someone like him.
This book deals with some serious issues, that I thought were excellently written. Skylar not only has her physical recovery to deal with, but she also has to figure out the black hole in her mind, plus decide on how she wants to be around others. The new group take her under their wings, and with Jed’s help, Skylar is prepared to tell all.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I’m so very glad my guess of the ‘big bad’ was correct! However, I did feel that Skylar’s problem (while HUGE) actually overshadowed the romance part with Jed. Although I can see them as incredibly good, close, friends. I just can’t see them as a couple. That saddens me, as I really wanted Jed to get his HEA, and he does. He does get it here, but for the first time ever with one of Ms. Ford’s books, I just don’t get it.
Even though this story didn’t quite work for me, I still have no hesitation in recommending it! Remember, this is just my opinion, and I am sure many out there will think differently. A fantastic story, great characters, and wonderful scenery! Go on, try this series for yourself.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
This series gets better with each book. This one had all the emotions, it was powerful. The discussions were real, I got teary and anxious for her.
Skylar had a major wake up call after she came out of a coma. She grew up fast, changed her ways, lost bits of her memories and found she didn’t like herself very much. The ‘prom queen’ became a new young woman. Parts of this story were dark, more so than the other two books…but necessary to the story.
I enjoyed the interaction with all the characters and love Jed and his Grandma.
I must say I did not see that end coming and the author wrapped it up well leaving us guessing a little as to what the outcome could be. I look forward to any more in the series for an insight into these characters lives later.
Skylar is back from the coma after one month from the accident. Will she be able to remember what happened? With the help of some people she never thought will be their friends, Harley, Griffin, Jed and Savvy and her cousin Aidan, she will discover the truth and will set her free. She will become a new a better person thanks to their new friends and, above all, thanks to sweet Jed. A rollercoaster of emotions. A tough story to tell.