From USA TODAY bestselling author Renée Carlino (Before We Were Strangers), a warm and witty novel about a struggling writer who must come to grips with her past, present, and future after she discovers that she’s the inspiration for a pseudonymously published bestselling novel.
When a bestselling debut novel from mysterious author J. Colby becomes the literary event of the year, Emiline reads … the year, Emiline reads it reluctantly. As an adjunct writing instructor at UC San Diego with her own stalled literary career and a bumpy long-term relationship, Emiline isn’t thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of a young and gifted writer.
Yet from the very first page, Emiline is entranced by the story of Emerson and Jackson, two childhood best friends who fall in love and dream of a better life beyond the long dirt road that winds through their impoverished town in rural Ohio.
That’s because the novel is patterned on Emiline’s own dark and desperate childhood, which means that “J. Colby” must be Jase: the best friend and first love she hasn’t seen in over a decade. Far from being flattered that he wrote the novel from her perspective, Emiline is furious that he co-opted her painful past and took some dramatic creative liberties with the ending.
The only way she can put her mind at ease is to find and confront “J. Colby,” but is she prepared to learn the truth behind the fiction?
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This book. Oh my, this book. So many emotions ran through me as I read it. Just go read it. Please. Just get it and read it. It’s ridiculously good. So good, I read it in 10 hours. I gave it 5 stars and I rarely give out 5 stars. Aaaamazing!
PS: I actually hugged my iPad when I finished it…no joke.
Loved the story within a story masterpiece of a book. The author created some complex characters with lots of hurts and hangups and also incorporated a book within the real life story to add even more depth. So glad I was recommended this book!
Renee Carlino is one of my favs and this book is a reminder why: she’s a wonderful writer that always delivers gripping, emotional stories and vibrant characters.
From the very first page I was pulled in and wanted to know more about Emiline. She seemed to have a nice boyfriend and supportive best friend, but something was off about her. She was guarded, harboring something in her heart. Then she starts reading J. Colby’s book and that tightly sealed damn literally erupted.
I found it interesting that while Emiline was reading Jase’s book and having her bottled up emotions pour out, my heart was being tugged at along with hers. Her childhood story, even though some parts were changed by Jase, was so heart-wrenching. It was no wonder she tried so hard to lock it a way, no matter how her current boyfriend, Trevor would want her to open up. And I could understand her initial anger over Jase writing about her story. They hadn’t spoken in years and she felt neglected by her first, and most intense, love, especially after what happened the last time they were together as teens.
At first Emi believed Jase was writing about her from her perspective, and he certainly seemed to have it locked down when it came to describing her emotions in various parts. But once she got to the made up scenes and finally met him again after so long, Jase tried to get her to understand that the book was “for” her and not “about” her. Like Emi, I didn’t really comprehend what Jase’s intentions were. But over time, Emiline finally got it in her head that the book was meant to help her heal, because after all those years she still had all that pent up hurt and wasn’t letting it go. And it was nice to see that Jase’s book encouraged her to return to her childhood town, not to mention she decided to reconnect with one of the people who hurt her badly. Yeah, Emi’s dad was quite the monster and not many would want to reach out to such a person after what he did to his daughter. But I understood why Emi met up with him again as an adult. She needed closure in order to move forward, not for him but for herself. Her mother was totally the opposite. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from Emi’s mom, but damn, what a piece of work.
There’s a lot I could write in my review to show how much I loved this story. I mean, it had messages throughout that I could take and apply to my own life, even if I hadn’t experienced a past like Emiline’s or Jason’s. Their history together was just intense. In spite of all the pain they had endured, they managed to find this beautiful thing called love and it got them through. Emiline often doubted her strength and self-worth, and that was understandable, but Jason was there to love and support her even when he wasn’t physically by her side. And although they got separated as teens and Emiline tried to block it out and pretend her way through life, the love they had was too real to continue denying. It was a sure thing that they would eventually meet again, no matter if it took a book for that to happen.
Again, beautiful writing, engrossing story, and authentic characters. What more could I ask for? Swear on This Life served up a great mix and left me emotionally messed up. Thank you, Ms. Carlino, I’m still recovering from your previous and now I have to add this to it. But no matter what, I’m always looking forward to your next 🙂
Unbelievable great read! This one tears at you inside and stays with you. Don’t miss this terrific story.
Holy wow! What a refreshing, unique, and amazing read! I lost a day, I was so entranced by this story of past love, current reads, and a small amount of a love triangle. This book campfires my heart and soul and it’ll be a book to remember!
I couldn’t even put this book down. The trials and tribulation that Jase and Em go through as children is horrible but somehow these two found love through it all. They were each others EVERYTHING until it was ripped away from them. Now years later, they find there way back together from a book. Who knew reading a book could bring you back to your first true and only love.
At its core, this is a pretty simple love story. But the book-within-a-book approach works SO well in Carlino’s hands! What a heart-rending world she’s crafted. Tightly written too — every word counts.
I loved it!!!
I was riveted by this story, which alternates between the present and the fictional novel, which stirs the main conflict in the story. I felt emotionally invested in the main characters and was rooting for them to find a well-deserved happily ever after.
What Renee has here is something that is completely different from anything I’ve read in awhile. This is a great thing as far as I’m concerned. I’m constantly looking for books that have original story lines. This one is great and is a prime example of why I love Renee’s books.
Swear On This Life is told in two amazing point of views. The first being that of Emiline and how she finds out about the book and her journey after that. Then the other is the excerpts from the book that she is reading about herself. We, the readers, get to actually read that book. I loved that Renee did that. I think it only heightened the story she was telling.
“Jason Dean Colberston, how’d you get so great.” There was silence. He kept his eyes closed and said, “You made me this way, Em.”
I’m so in love with this story and why Jason did what he did. The man has patience if you ask me. He needs a medal just for that lol. That’s pure love right there. From beginning to end the whole story had an overwhelming under current of hope and that there is such a thing as destiny. Pick this one up. It’s beautiful, powerful and you will feel it in your soul. If you love this one run and go read Before We Were Strangers as well. One of my top books last year and a definite do not miss.