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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Shey Stahl accustomed us to the fact, that in her books she talks about difficult subjects.
When I saw the title of ‘Saving Barrette’ the first time, I knew that this book will be painful and hard.
I didn’t read the blurb, like always, so when this book appeared on my Kindle, I opened it and started reading.
And… WOAH. This time the main theme is so really tough.
Barrette and her friends had a party. This girl is a wet dream of all boys in the city, but she is keeping her virginity to this one and only guy – Asa Lawson. The party is on and everybody are a little drunk, so no one notices that Barrette is missing.
And she was raped.
Asa wanted talk with her, because they have a common past, but he couldn’t find Barrette. Then he saw her on the ground, half naked and utterly druged. He helped her and she woke up at hospital, where doctors were asking her about the accident and about DNA test to have a medical raport about rape. Her first word is ‘no’, but with Asa’s little help finally she agreed to exam.
Day in a day out,they’d get to know each other and shared secrets.
But do Barrette and Asa will be together?
And will justice be enough and the rapists go to jail?
I am in deep shock.
When I finished ‘Saving Barrette’ first what I done was wrote a message to Shey and with havoc in my head write about this book some words.
Now, I must write a full review, but still – I don’t know what to write.
This book is full of emotions!
While reading I was thinking that I will throw out my Kindle from the window with words „get the fuck away from me!”. This story is so hard, so intense and so paintful. But ‘Saving Barrette’ has a happy moments with sex scenes and a little laugh.
Barrette is like a normal girl. Shey Stahl gave her behavior before and after the rape in an incredibly precise manner. We can read about carefree young girl and sad, ruined women.
I totally like her and now, when I ended this book, I still feel her pain.
Asa is a guy, who everyone want to have. He is a good boy with ambitions. When he saw Barrette on the ground, naked, he knews that she needs him much more than only in the way to the hospital. He sacrificed for her more that she thinks.
‘Saving Barrette’ is raw, heartbreaking book. This story will stay in my heart more than the others. The rape subject, which Shey Stahl choose is very hard to write, but the author handled it perfectly well.
It was a pleasure to read this book, but it was a different pleasure. I can’t even describe what kind of pleasure it is. You must read this book and feel this story by yourself.
This was a recommended read by a friend and I’m so glad that I listened because it’s a powerful story that has you unable to stop reading. This wasn’t always an easy story to read and I was glad the author made the story ‘lighter’ at the end with some laugh out loud moments because I really needed it. This author is new to me, but I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another of her books from having just read this one. Urgh I don’t know how I’m going to move on from this 5 star read and pick up another book because this one is going to stay with me for a while!
Love, love, love this book! This book has a tragic element to it, but a beautiful conclusion! The characters are so real and easy to connect to, and the story is raw and realistic. So many women face sexual harassment and rape, and this book helps many women see how they can get through it. The characters have an amazing connection! I laughed, I cried, and got angry at times, which means this book will give you all the feels too. Do yourself a favor and read it!
A heartbreaking story of true love that overcomes lots of issues. Asa and Barrette go through a lot to stay together. Can these two overcome everything to make it work forever?? This was a beautiful and heartfelt story that tackles some major circumstances. It was so well written that I could not put it down. Asa is Barrette’s rock throughout this whole story. His character has so much maturity when dealing with a loved one who has gone through such a traumatic event!! Loved it. Highly recommend!!
4.5 stars
A story about where the power of true love can heal anything, from the worst possible moments in a young woman life to regaining the trust and hope for a happy life with the perfect person.
The story has some very graphic description of some scenes that may be triggers for some readers but it’s worth the read even more
Wow! After Barrett’s tragedy, Asa helps her pick up the pieces and move on. This book has tragedy, love, sadness, laughter and determination but is a beautiful book! Definitely one of the best books I’ve read by Shey!!
I absolutely loved the real and raw feeling this book had!! It will forever be one of my favorites!! I think everyone in their life has had some kind of trauma and maybe not as horrific as B and Asa but it shows that no matter what happens you can have a happy life!!
Amazing, emotional read!! Fantastic characters that draw you in on a journey of devastating tragedy and a powerful recovery. Shey Stahl is an amazing writer that realistically spins the tale of the brutal crime of rape and all the emotions and feels related to the crime, grief, and recovery of rape. Her characters are powerful and relatable. This is a page turner and leaves you wanting even more!! Once again, Shey has outdone herself!!
This book. What can I say to even give it justice? It was raw and emotional. The true definition of love and friendship. It will leave you wanting more! Shey Stahl
Saving Barrette was an amazing book! It took such a harsh topic and covered it beautifully. I feel like it gave anyone that has been through that drama hope. Barrette & Asa are a very inspiring and show true love and devotion.
A must read!!! The emotions that you feel while reading this book are extreme and real. Barrett and Asa’s love is one of a kind! Saving Barrett really gives you a look of heartbreak, friendship, love and humor that makes you want to read this book again right after you finish it. The tears and heartache followed up by humor makes it so special. Shey Stahl, this book was written with so much heart and your readers can feel that emotion. If I could chose a book person you would definitely be my book person!!! Bravo!
Shey did a phenomenal job on this one……but then again every book of hers seems to be phenomenal in its own way. But for me, this one will have an everlasting effect. It’s a story of truly loving someone for better, for worse, completely. It hit home for me. This book is so much more than just a love story. It’s a story of what love can truly do for a person’s soul. Barrette’s character was real. Her pain and feelings were written in a way that you felt like you were there as her friend. With every word, you felt like you were trying to console and cheer her on, every step of the way. Asa, he’s perfectly imperfect and perfect for her. He loves her with every ounce of his being and I swear at times I was talking to him while reading this book! Having a daughter in college and hearing about a couple of girls who have been raped this year, I pray each one of them have an Asa, Terrell and Joey by their side. Thank you Shey for writing a book that can give hope to victims, their friends, and their families.
This book was beautiful despite the horrific events that happen to Barrette, it is absolutely beautiful. This is the second book by Shay Stahl with a tragic, hard to read, probably harder to write topic and just like with Sex. Love. Marriage, she took this topic that no one wants to imagine happing to them and have us a wonderful story, with great character who you easily fall in love with. Asa is pretty much everything you could ever want in a man, ever. The way he loves Barrette through something so horrific is nothing short of amazing. I could not put this book down.
“I don’t want to be here, but I also don’t have much of a choice.” – Asa
“Lose everything? Ha. I thought I already had.” – Barrette
Little did these two know, they only thought that a high school crush moving away and the death of a parent would be the worst that they would ever see in this life. Life has a way of throwing a curve ball where you least expect it. Little did Barrette know, but she was about to lose so much more than she could ever imagine. And Asa would be forever stuck in position in life that he knew he could never walk away from, no matter how destructive it was. If you have read Shey’s books before, then you already know that she has a way of sneaking in topics that are hard to discuss. This was a hard read, but it was one that you knew you could not put down. You had to turn each page and finish each chapter. Each twist and turn leads to another monumental success for these characters, followed by a gut wrenching failure. It is a story that far too many people know all too well. And it needs to be discussed. It was told in a way that was beautiful and brave.
Asa and Barrette are both young eighteen year olds with endless potential and opportunities ahead of them. Then tragedy strikes. Barrette is raped at a place where she felt safe. With the people who made her feel safe. Her safety, power, virginity, and everything else that goes along with being a carefree eighteen year old were taken from her. Is that something that she can ever truly get back? And can Asa be the person to get her back to a person who felt whole?
Someone once told Barrette that “It isn’t a sickness, it’s a circumstance. A torn page from a chapter I’d like to forget. But I can’t because it’s my book and a part of my journey.” These words are something that is easy to relate to, and so hard to forget. Living after a trauma is one step forward and ten steps back. We get to watch each and every one of these baby steps as we see Barrette step out of the darkness and become so much more than the “dull shade with dark thoughts” that she once described herself as. To learn to be a survivor for reasons other than simply living through a trauma.
“There comes a day when you have to decide. Are you going to turn the page or close the book? I’m going to the next chapter.” – Barrette
Fortunately, there was a light at the end of this tunnel. Barrette went from someone who merely thought she lived through a trauma as opposed to surviving it, to a young woman who found her people. She developed such a strong support system and a family. “These people, they’re mine. All of them.” The ones that she tried to push away out of fear that she would never be normal. The ones that she tried to “let go” from her life because she believed they deserved something better. Even the ones that she trusted and never should have. They are part of her story, too.
The development of these characters is absolutely beautiful. I hurt with them, was sad for them, and was enraged with both of them at times. But then I was unbelievably proud of them. Sometimes things take a little longer than expected, but they are beautiful and worth the wait.
I highly recommend reading this book. The triggers are without a doubt hard, but are handled in such a delicate way.
This book was gripping, raw, and so very emotional. The words jumped off the page and I felt everything. Especially the first chapter. Barrette experiences something horrific and can’t remember most any of it. Asa was there to find her and help her pick up the pieces. The two of them together is beautiful and heartbreaking to watch. Asa is extremely protective and is constantly questioning himself. Barrette just wants to be normal. Reading their story will give you all the feels and make you want to be there to help them both. You’ll love Joey and Terrell. Laughter and tears. A perfect Shey Stahl book.
Shey Stahl is a proven author that has brought forth another outstanding story. Asa and Barrette find themselves in a twisted world of first loves, tragic events and life coming full circle. I cried at the honesty of her words. Sexual crimes are hard to watch and read about but Shey did it with grace and compassion. This book left me feeling overwhelmed with love for Asa because he loved Barrette at her worst and at her darkest hour. And in return Barrette knew in her heart Asa was always hers body and soul. Watching characters like these two evolve into a deeper level of selfless devotion kept me glued to their story. Kudos again to a beautiful story and the way she brought them to life was emotionally overwhelming.
I absolutely loved this book!! If i could give it more then 5 stars i would! Reading Saving Barrett was by far one of the best books i have read this year. Shey Stahl really knows how to entrance you and keep you reading. I could not put this book down!! Barrett and Asa have a story worth reading about it makes you see things from a different perspective. PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS BOOK if you are on the fence you wont regret it!!
Fair warning there are triggers but god did shey write it beautifully. She was available to write a book that touched a very difficult subject but also had you laughing! A book to read many more times
This has to be one of my top favorites of 2019! It had me in tears, laughing and definitely had me engrossed al the way. I would recommend it for teens to older based on the content of the book.
I was in deep with the characters Asa and Barrette. You see them work as a team to get through the painful past that lingers by dealing with it head on in the present. Asa comes off as an all-in individual that gives his heart and soul to 110% in everything and everyone that he holds dear. That is especially true when it comes to Barrette. He would do anything for her just to see a simple smile on her face. Barrette is a woman that has to struggle to find herself again but still has an inner beauty that won’t be snuffed out despite what’s happened. This book is awe inspiring journey and something worth reading. Congratulations on a wonderful job Shey!
This book so beautifully written I’m having a hard time finding the right words to do it justice!
First off get your tissues because you will need them. Asa and Barrette were so meant to be together it’s not even funny. Their journey was tragic and beautiful and long and emotional and thru it all they stuck beside each other.
They each have their own hurdles to overcome but together they are stronger than ever along with their friends that were so wonderful I hope we hear from them again!
Shey takes a subject that so many both men and women go thru and writes it with so much class and dignity and strength that I hope anyone who reads this and is struggling can find some strength of their own