They say those who smile the brightest hide behind the darkest pasts. From USA Today Bestselling Author Shey Stahl comes a story about finding yourself through an emotionally packed coming-of-age novel of lies and betrayal. Barrette Blake has virtually no memory of the night her world changed forever. With the unwavering support of her best friend, she tries to piece together her life and her … friend, she tries to piece together her life and her foggy memories of that night. She’s focused and resilient, but on the inside, she’s losing hope she’ll ever be whole again.
Asa Lawson has it all together—on the field that is. He dominates the college football scene, but his life is messy. He’s in love with the girl who can’t love herself after everything that’s happened to her. While everything around him is spiraling out of control and threatens to come crashing down completely, the truth about the night that destroyed his childhood friend is revealed.
She’s hiding from the night she doesn’t remember.
And he’s going to show her she’s worth the risk.
She’s consumed by despair.
He won’t let her give up.
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I was given an ARC in return for an honest review
WOW, just WOW! This book was gripping, raw, and emotional. It felt like you were a on rollercoaster with all the emotions. I felt like I was right there in this book; I’m still trying to process it! Shey, I’m in awe of you, being able to write about a very traumatic & painful experience and how you make anyone who reads this feel all these emotions. Thank you! I love Asa & Barrette and their story. I HIGHLY recommend this book. Once again Shey doesn’t disappoint!
This is one of the best books Ive read by Shey. I absolutely loved it. It was tragic and yet it showed that true love does exist. It was amazing the amount of love and strength that Asa showed Barrette. It is almost suspenseful the what it makes you wonder who did it. I highly recommend this book but keep a box of tissue with you and be prepared to yell at the characters .
Wow. This book was incredible. I started reading and couldn’t put it down. It shakes you to your core and grips you from the very first page. It’s a raw, emotional and beautiful story that keeps you on your toes. Simply put, I loved it!
This is an amazingly written story.. Asa and Barrette deal with some of the hardest aspects if life but together they find their waf through..
Have tissues at the ready and make sure you are prepared not to move as from the first page you are invested.
Shey has writing portrays every emotion that is dealt with in these situations. You will root for these two characters.
Kudos to Ms. Stahl on an incredibly emotional heartfelt story about the power and resilience of friendship and love in the aftermath of life-shattering trauma. For personal reasons, this book was difficult to read at times so please heed the warning if you might be triggered by the events surrounding sexual assault. While this is a story that takes on a difficult subject, it is ultimately a story of love— loving someone through their darkest days like Asa does for Barrette and finding a way back to loving oneself as Barrette does following the assault. Coming from a survivor (oh, how I despise that title) standpoint, I so appreciate that Ms. Stahl didn’t make light of or romanticize events surrounding sexual assault and its aftermath. Along with this powerful story of love and perseverance is a reminder that even in the rare event that justice is served, the ripple effect set off when an assault is perpetrated has no boundaries and often no end. Even with the heavy subject matter, I’m adding this book to one of my top favorites of 2019.
Another great book by Shey. She has done an amazing job with a delicate topic.
GAH. This book. It broke me and put me back together again. It comes with a trigger warning for sexual assault, but Shey Stahl handles such a sensitive, harrowing subject with the respect it deserves and has clearly done extensive research. I really liked the way that it was gripping and angsty, but with light moments and some humour too which created a balance between the feelings. I also really appreciated that it wasnt just brushed over to get to the happy ending, it was a realistic portrayal of what this can actually be like for someone. A must read book for 2019.
This book is a 5 star review.
Saving barrette is shey Stahl best yet.
Its raw its beautiful and emotional captivating.
I dont know how shey does it.
Asa and barrette are best friends but asnt seen each other for a few years.
One night barrette whole life changes but not for the better. She goes through something that no-one ever should.
Asa is there for barrette when she needs him the most.
He is strong for her and helps her heal.
The love he as for barrette is powerful.
I cried a lot reading this shey broke my heart it was hard to read but I couldnt put the book I needed to know the outcome.
Thank you shey for this emotional book.
I highly recommend this book.
Saving Barrette just took over the #1 spot on my top books ever read list!!! Shey I don’t know how you do it! Such a difficult subject that was so tragic, raw, gripping and emotional, I truly felt like I was there. Asa and Barrettes story is about strength, friendship, support, love, loss, fear, and true selflessness. It kept my emotions running high and I cant even tell you many times I held my breath. Once again the background characters refused to stay there, Joey and Terrell kept me wanting more. If I could only ever re-read one book again it would be Saving Barrette!!!!