Ever had a dream so real it feels like a memory? I’ve had those kinds of dreams since I was a kid. Each one of a beautiful girl, who is my best friend. We grow up together on a sunny island surrounded by water that’s as blue as her eyes. We share all our hopes and fears until we realize we belong to each other in every way one person claim another. She is my own personal serenity. Sweet story, … Sweet story, eh?
Well forget about it.
The cold, harsh reality is that I’m a twenty-year-old, Manhattan bred, manwhore, who uses his fists to solve his problems. The only comfort I find is inside a bottle… and the dreams. But the dreams are my illness not my cure. Just when things look the darkest, the sun slaps me square in the jaw. I spot a picture of a scenic island surrounded by the bluest water – my island.
If the island exists then so must the girl, right?
So I’m headed to Serenity, Texas to find my girl and make some sense out of the chaos that is my life. Feel free to tag along, but this journey comes with a steep warning — dreams can turn into nightmares in the blink of an eye.
My name is Jason Flynn and this is our story.
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OMGee, this book, y’all! Holy carp!! Unexpected, magical, devastatingly beautiful and spellbinding! It will have you questioning every reality you thought you knew and believing that “what ifs” can come true, while reaffirming the exquisite gift of forever love. This spectacular wordsmithing will mangle your mind and hurt your heart, then have you jumping for joy and happy sighing all over yourself.
Jason and Scarlett’s story has me believing in the immutable power of love and the fate of soul mates, destined to find each other in any lifetime. Their romance is one of sweet, tender, young love that is breathtaking and heartbreaking yet satisfying and full of hope. These characters may be young in age but their souls seem to have lived a hundred lifetimes, imbuing them with wisdom beyond their years. Their story ensnared me from the first page and captivated me throughout, while the bumps and turns along their journey stunned me and shattered my heart. When all was said and done, Jason and Scarlett owned a piece of my soul and my battered heart was left blissfully sated.
Seriously, y’all, this book! It easily earns a spot on my top ten for the year, and this new-to-me talent is one I’ll keep an eye on. Assuming this book is an accurate representation of her writing, she has a back catalog I need to work my way through, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting her next new release. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, easy read, it’s probably not this book, although there are lighthearted, fun moments to be found here. However, if you want a story that gobsmacks you along the way but leaves you in giddy delight, and one whose authentic, endearing characters live in your heart long after the last page, this is that book. Get your hands on this one post haste, and prepare to lose your heart to these phenomenal characters.
*I read an early edition of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide feedback and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source.
The span of this story was about a week. It was very fast paced but at the same time detailed and beautiful. I loved Scarlet and Flynn. Their story was very interesting and kept me hooked. I spent the book looking for hints as to what was going on and what was going to happen. I was thrown for a loop many times while reading the story. The twists were good and left me shocked. There were great secondary characters and a romance that was very beautiful. The don’t want to give spoilers but I did enjoy it. I would have loved to have seen what was going on in Scarlets head though. I think that’s my main complaint. It didn’t make the story less…… just something I yearned for. 4 stars 2OCCJD
This book sounded interesting, and in the beginning it was, but I can’t say that I’m impressed with it. I just couldn’t get into it.
Jason is a Manhatten bachelor, living his not-so good life. He had some very serious issues in the past and problems with his behavior. At night when he sleeps, he has a very vivid dreams that feel more like memories than dreams. To find a girl from his dreams Jason decides to visit a small Island in Texas where his aunt lives. There he meets the girl from his dreams, Scarlett and he also finds out some very interesting things.
While this book was nice and I wanted to find out what was happening, it was also very confusing and that made it hard to read. It constantly goes back and forth between reality and dreams, and for me that was very confusing.
Also, the paranormal aspect was something that I didn’t like. I don’t like paranormal romance in general so…
Scarlett and Jason were fine couple and I think that I would’ve liked them if it wasn’t for everything else that pulled my attention from them.
If you like paranormal romance give this book a chance.
Let me start this by saying I almost didn’t finish reading this book. If a book doesn’t capture me in the first couple of chapters then I usually can’t keep reading. Since I was reading this book to review for a blog, I kept going. I am really glad I did. It didn’t capture me until about half way though or maybe even a little after. But once my attention was caught, I couldn’t wait to find out more!!! By the end, I was absolutely in love with Jason and Scarlett. Their story was sweet, heartbreaking, and lovingly romantic. One of my favorite quotes “I’m made to love you.” SWOON!!!
The character development was great. As I said the story was slow at first, but amazing by the end. I really ended up enjoying this author’s ability to ensure the story was told in a way that is captivating. I was on my toes during parts and shedding tears in other parts. A good 4.5 stars from me. I definitely would recommend “Lost Years.”! Very interested in reading some of her other books now.
I both liked and didn’t like this book so it is very hard for me to review it. I was so confused several times and thought about dnfing it more than ones but there was something so intriguing about it that made me continue to the end. I had to know what was going on with this poor guy Jason Flynn, who felt that his life wasn’t the way it was supposed to be and that his dreams felt more real and true and almost like memories.
You are thrown around in his dreams and his reality and you get totally confused but it is so well-written that you really feel for him and you want everything to work out for him and Scarlett and also all of the other characters that gets involved in their romance and life. You just have to know if they will all be alright in the end.
I fell in love with Jason and Scarlett over the time they have together. They are so comfortable and relaxed around each other. They can just talk to each other about everything and they encourage and back each other up in difficult times. It was instalove and then it wasn’t but I can’t explain that without spoiling anything so I won’t.
The plot still confuses me and the end has a HEA that is very sweet but maybe too sweet and end too happily for everyone which is not very realistic. But ok this book isn’t very realistic in any way soooo…
I can recommend this book if you like a swoon worthy hero, a beautiful strong heroine, great side characters and some twists and turns with magical realism.
I got this book through Entangled Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lost Years was an intriquing read, that drew me in from page one, and kept me engrossed till the end. It was fast paced, and the twists and turns, that kept me guessing. It was so different from other books I’ve read. The characters were complex, but so likeable. Secondary characters were great too. I will be looking into some more of this authors books.
I received this book from Netgalley!
3.75 stars–LOST YEARS by M.K. Schiller is a contemporary, new adult, paranormal romance story line focusing on twenty year old Jason Flynn, and Scarlett Jones.
Told from first person perspective (Jason Flynn) using memories, dreams and present day LOST YEARS focuses on Jason Flynn as he struggles with nightmares and dreams, and memories that may or may not be real or ever existed. Suspended from college for fighting, New York resident and spoiled rich kid Jason Flynn heads to Serenity, Texas, to spend time with the aunt he never knew, in an effort to ‘find’ the young woman who has haunted his dreams. Enter Scarlett Jones, wanna-be country singer, and the woman with whom Jason will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Jason and Scarlett, as Jason comes to terms with what has happened, and what will be.
LOST YEARS is a story of what ifs and whys; a story of lost love, questionable memories, reality and dreams. We are introduced to Scarlett’s best friends Russell Foster, and Tommy Castings; Jason’s sister Anna and fiancé Keith, and their feisty diner owner, Aunt Rose. The premise is a psychological mystery with a little bit of heart break and emotional fall-out; the romance is sweet and passionate; the characters are colorful and captivating. LOST YEARS is a different kind of paranormal read, more contemporary romance with distinct elements of the supernatural. The reader will have to pay attention to the ‘time slips’ from present day to memories of the past.
I really enjoyed this story!
It is well written, the main characters are defined and supporting cast round out the entire story to give it life. Although it is a romance, there is more to it as well – mystery, a bit of fantasy.
At first, Jason seems a little crazy…remembering things from the past that only he knows, having dreams that at one time seem to unsettle him, an alcoholic, horrible relationship with his father. The past to present may have others feeling a bit confused, but I found it to be a very interesting way of telling the story,
The supporting characters also assist in making this story a good read.
Received an e-copy from Netgalley!
Totally not what I expected. WOW! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like Lost Years and I probably will never see a story like this again. MK Schiller you know how to throw someone off with your story, put them on an emotional rollercoaster, and then put the pieces back together again. About 70% in I wanted to be like Phoebe in Friends and just say “Th End”. I thought Scarlet and Flynn’s story wasn’t going to have a happily ever after. Then I kept reading through the pain and got the best happily ever after that I never expected. A supernatural emotional rollercoaster. Thank you for this story.
Paranormal, New Adult, Contemporary Romance
First person; only hero-POV
“The first year of the sea turtle migration is called the lost year because no one knows what they do, despite all the technology we have to track them, but I have my theories…
I think they might be searching for what’s missing.”
by Scarlett
WHAT HAS REALLY WORKED FOR ME
Addictiveness: 3.5/5 This was an interesting story that kept jumping from reality to dreams so it took me some time to get used to the pace. But the story intrigued me and kept me going until the end. As addictive as melted cheese!
Character: hero 4.5/5, heroine 4/5, secondary characters 5/5, growth 4/5, real 3/5 Very complex characters with lots of depth. Because the story took the readers through a journey from childhood until now, it offered a full background into the characters. Beautifully done!!!
Jason Flynn was the main character here. This is his journey, told by his point-of-view. What a roller coaster he took me into. But it was easy to connect and love him.
Scarlett was Jason’s love. He had a very strong connection with her. She was beautiful, sweet, artistic and loyal.
So many interesting and important secondary characters that helped shaped the plot of this novel. Tommy, Russel, aunt Rose, Anna, his father, Keith and Bob.
The antagonist took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting he had such a huge role in the story until out of nowhere I got shocked!!!
These characters were multidimensional, but easy to love, connect and understand.
Cover: art 5/5, title 5/5, color-font 5/5, buy 5/5 I’m obsessed with book covers. I love to find snippets of the stories within the art. This cover is perfect for this book! I can see the couple, I can feel their love and happiness for being together. The beach as setting is works really well. The title is amazing and the subtitle really adds to the story. I would buy this book by its cover, without needing to read the blurb!
Freshness: 5/5 This book is definitely one-of-a-kind!!! So crazy and out-of-the-box that made this very unique. As fresh as a cold bottle of water in the middle of the desert!
Plot: believable 3/5, conflict 5/5, dialogue 5/5, ending 5/5, enjoyment 4/5, opening 3.5/5, pace 3/5, setting 5/5, subplots 5/5, twists 5/5 Interesting opening and amazing ending. An unbelievable plot that has been very well written that convinced the reader that is plausible. Dialogues well written, in a not-so-fast-paced tale filled with mystery and interesting subplots. Great small town setting and a few unexpected twists that elevated this story into another level. Great level of satisfaction!!!
Romance: believable 5/5, chemistry 5/5, description 5/5, development 5/5, steam 5/5 This is a love story. From the first moment, we felt Jason’s love. The author beautifully wrote a love so big, so true and pure that lasted a lifetime. The couple had chemistry and the steamy scenes were great. Love to write sonnets!!!
Writing Style: 4.5/5 This was an extremely well written book. This story was very unexpected, nothing like I imagined. This is not a very long book, but the author took us from childhood until the twenties. I will definitely read more from the author.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
Pace… I found the beginning of the book a bit slow. It was hard to understand what was happening for a while.
Voice… I know, I even have heard from an author that not always both voices “speaks”to them, but I got used to first person dual point-of-view and I’ve missed Scarlett’s voice.
MY THOUGHTS
“I’d never forget the trauma of the lost years. They would remind me to look at each day with gratitude. What was lost sometimes gets found.”
by Jason Flynn
Do you know when you start a book having certain expectations from the blurb? Well, this book was totally different from what I’ve imagined. Really! I’m still shocked for all the twists and surprises. What a great and unexpected finish!!!
31/35 STARS – 4 STARS (between 28 stars and 31 stars)
Addictiveness: 3.5 Character: 4 Cover: 5 Freshness: 5 Plot: 4 Romance: 5 Writing Style: 4.5
Action 3/5
Angst 5/5
Darkness 1/5
Humor 1/5
Romance 5/5
Suspense/Mystery 4/5
Would I recommend? Yes. For anyone that likes their read with the unexpected, a bit of paranormality.
Would I re-read this book? I think so, specially after finally understanding what was going on.
Would I read more from the author? Can’t wait for more!!!
You MAY read this because you like new adult romance; you SHOULD read this because you enjoy unexpected reads; you MUST read this to be shocked!!!
There are so many authors in this book world that I love. But, there are a few that really write life changing stories. MK is one of those authors. Every time I read one of her books I fall so in love with them. She has this air about her witting that is just so different. Not only do you become one with the book, you feel like you are the character in the book. I felt like I was living life right alongside Jason. Just the blurb alone made me happy sigh, because I knew this was going to be amazing
From the moment we met Jason I knew this would be different. The way he described these dreams, I was soooo curious. Aunt Rose had me curious too, but I knew at some point we’d find out a little more about it. It’s when Jason finally found Scarlett, that is when I knew I was sucked in completely. These two were the most natural couple. They could talk for hours and their chemistry was out of this world. I loved that Jason knew so much about her, so he knew how to love her.
And Scarlett, she was something else. She was truly one with the island. She was so fierce, but also so sincere. She is truly one of those beautiful people inside and out. When she and Jason started seeing each other, it was like he found his home. She was his calm place and she helped to make him a better person. In reality, she probably helped everyone become better people. Her life with Russell and Tommy was something so special too. This band of friends was everything someone would want in friends. I can’t talk about them too much, but they were so special. I loved how Russell was super protective of Scarlett when Jason is around. He got super growly and it made me laugh and go “aw” all at the same time!
There are so many more things I loved about this book, that I just can’t talk about without spoiling it. I really could talk for days about it! From Aunt Rose to Scarlett, to Anna, to everyone in this book, everyone made a difference. Every character was complete, they had their own personality and brought something to the story. Her character development is one of my favorite things about her writing. There isn’t ever just a “somebody”, each person means something. And then her use of the scenery, I give a dreamy sigh here. There are a lot of special places in this book, from a spot near the water, to the diner. Everything is written in such a special way, that you truly feel these are just as special to you. I could go on and on, but I hope you get the point by now =]
I love picking up books that are different but that still get you sucked into reading it. This was so different but so goood! I couldn’t get enough. You get sucked into Jason’s story and need to know what happens and what the mystery is. When you finally get to their his connection with Scarlett, it’s explosive. You know they are meant for each other but that twists and turns to get there is what makes the story so different.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I would gladly pay for this as MK Schiller is quickly becoming one my favorite authors.
I don’t know how to describe this book. Weird…yes. Interesting…yes. Confusing…yes. But I loved it! I was ugly crying in parts, so grab your tissues. You have a guy dreaming about a girl and two best friends and a life that seems so real but it’s not. But wait…it is real only it happened without him. He finds this girl and life when he goes to visit his Aunt Rose. She’s a pot smoking, fun lady who owns a diner. You’ll have to read the rest of the book to figure out if the dreams are real and if he gets the girl.
I’m not sure where to begin. This is by far one of the most unique and intense love stories I have ever read. Riddled with mystery, over loaded with love and completely jaw dropping moments I was not prepared for how powerful Lost Years is. That said this review is going to be short and sweet.
This book is an experience and I highly suggest reading nothing beyond the blurb and just diving in. You’re guaranteed to lose your heart and have your= mind absolutely blown by this book.
This was an interesting read. Just when I think I figured out what was going on the story took a turn I wasn’t expected. I went in thinking this was purely contemporary romance but there is a PNR aspect thrown in that made me rethink everything that I had previously read. Flynn and Scarlett are star-crossed fated lovers. We learn about their relationship through Flynn’s dreams, but are they really dreams. This is the mystery that we have to unfold to understand the story. I liked that it kept me “on my toes” and was not an expected read.
This is definitely different than I could have ever imagined and that’s a good thing. As an avid reader it’s not often that I am surprised and this author took me to a whole nuther level. During most of the book I have to admit, I was shaking and scratching my head and I believe that was the intention of the author. The confusion wasn’t bad since it kept you motivated to turn the page yet again to find out what in the world was going on. The confusion doesn’t take away from the story it actually adds to it. With Rosie the joint totting aunt (who was a hoot) who was a mystery all on her own, we finally find out what’s happening. Dream me a dream and make it real. That’s exactly what this author does. First he dreams and while other’s tell him he’s crazy he takes the steps to find out and finds himself in Serenity. When things from his dream start becoming a reality or facets of reality the lines blur and reality shifts. What feels like insta love is far from it. It’s something different and that helps you continue as dreams become reality and that shift changes and becomes lost. The name tells it all but you’ll have to read it to understand.
This is a complicated love story. Jason tells the story of finding his lost love Scarlett. It switches between dream and reality in a sort of surreal landscape. At its core is a story of how far a boy will go for the girl he loves. The author weaves a fantastic tale about living dual lives and recapturing missed opportunities. It is also a story about friendship and family. It answers the question about the choices we would make if we could change the past and have only good things happen to the people we love.
4 Cranky Stars
I’m going to admit, and it will probably be an unpopular opinion, but this book was confusing as hell. I spent about 70 percent of the book with a confused look on my face muttering what the heck is happening? Trying so hard to piece the story together and was still wrong. I’m not even sure what genre to cast this book into. I mean it’s supposed to be a romance, but it had kind of a fantasy aspect. It wasn’t a bad book the story is interesting it’s well written it’s just confusing and normally I love books that hop back and forth but this one was just strange to me.
Jason was a New York society boy who drank with reckless abandon and wooed women out of their undies. What most don’t know is that Jason also had dreams of a certain girl in the island town his mom is from. He see’s snippets of a life he certainly doesn’t lead. When everything comes to a head with college and his father, he goes to the island to visit his Aunt Rose and hopefully find this mystery girl. When he does it’s like he knows her and instantly falls in love with her but how can he tell her that he knows so much about her because at one point they were together. Scarlett wants to leave the island to become a country singer in Nashville. Her life hasn’t been easy but with Russel and Tommy by her side life is bearable you see she doesn’t know Jason, yet Jason knows her. When she meets Jason for the first time, she is drawn to him in a way she can’t explain. She decides to give Jason a week before she heads off in search of her dream and what happens next is a very strange heartbreaking four days.
First off, I love the weed tokin Aunt Rose. I knew she had a secret, but I thought maybe she just a quirky old lady and boy does she have a story to tell. There is a lot going on in this story and it’s not a casual read. You must really commit to this story. There is love so much love and few sexy times between Scarlett and Jason. It’s a mind bender for sure. Like I said previously, there is a lot of going back in time. Lost Years is a very unique story that will certainly have people talking.
Omg, omg, OMG!!! This book tore me apart, only to put my heart back together again! 5 Unforgettable, unique, heart-stealing STARS!!!
Lost Years was an absolutely incredible and mind-blowing read. This was my first M.K. Schiller book, and as a new to me author I am so hooked! From the very first pages of this book, I was completely captivated. I was throwing out theories to this complex read, and twist after turn all of my theories were so wrong! Artfully composed, Lost Years took me by surprised and stole my heart.
Highly emotional, complexly written, and a love so intense you’ll feel it days later. One click Lost Years today, and enjoy a jaw-dropping read you won’t be quick to forget! Enjoy xo
Lost Years by MK Schiller a five-star read that will twist you up. I honestly don’t know how I came to the rating for this one as at times I worried I wouldn’t finish it. If you enjoy a story that takes a while to get going and can be a tad confusing but grips you in the end, then this is one for you. I was sure when I was at 25% that this would be a DNF, but I hate leaving a story undone and just kept on going, I was so confused at times that I had to go back and re-read parts of the story, but the more I read the more I couldn’t put it down to the point that when I was at 80% I came back from lunch, shut my office door and pretended that I was too busy for people to come see me as I needed to know what happened I was so gripped. Near the end of this story I had physical Goosebumps and was crying my eyes out, I didn’t expect this when I started this story. Jason Flynn, I didn’t like you much at first but by the end of this story you had won my heart and soul over. But as the blurb says this isn’t just his story, there are so many unique and charming characters in this story and each one deserves their own story, I can’t wait to hear more from this author.