Everything she knew was a lie… ever known, Olivia hunts to find who she truly is in the midst of this topsy-turvy mystery. While forbidden to contact her abductor’s relatives, there is one caring and compassionate boy that may be able to help her uncover her hidden truth.
There’s one problem – he’s her abductor’s nephew.
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Wow! To me this was 6 Stars!
Immediately I was drawn in and felt for Sarah(Olivia).
The challenges she faced felt real, I felt part of her life, and the twists were jaw dropping. I just don’t know what to say. Shock I was not ready for.
I had so many emotions throughout this story and overall felt transported into this world.
I love how Sarah proves to be very mature for her age and it is impressive how she can take that step back to look at the whole picture in the different situations she is in and with how others react.
I could not get over how this character felt so real to me, it was hard to remind myself this was only fiction.
I couldn’t put this book down. I even wanted to go as far as to calling off of work so I could finish it. When I wasn’t reading it due to having “adult responsibilities”, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Warning : This is a compulsive read and you should dedicate a day or two to read this in it’s entirety with no distractions.
This is definitely added to my top favorite reads now and I plan on buying the paperback to have a hard copy as well. Does not leave as a cliffhanger but it makes you excited for the next book to see where Sarah’s life leads her next.
I was given the opportunity for an arc of this read.
It did not disappoint me, I couldn’t put it down but at the same time, I needed to take a few minutes between pages sometimes. This book is an amazing rollercoaster ride of the life events of one girl, and so many other key players in her life. At times you want to scream at the characters, other times you wish you could reach through and hug them. I lov d this read, great story line and characters, amazing plot changes. I absolutely would give 10 stars if I could. Be prepared for ALL the feels!!
[#partner @authorgailharis @netgalley @thenextsteppr]
I received this book in return for an honest opinion.
This book was somewhat of a buddy read with me and @theinfinitereader.blog and let me just tell you, I was so excited to read it! Mickey told me about it, I signed up for the ARC, saw the cover, and once I received it, I dove in.
This book had me intrigued from the prologue. I had really no idea what I was getting into reading this, but I knew it was out of my normal genre.
I absolutely loved this book. I felt so many different emotions while reading this. There was sympathy, anger, confusion, happiness, etc. Not to mention, this book was a complete roller coaster. There were a couple things that broke my heart in this, but overall it was an incredible book with such a good plot. @authorgailharis really did a wonderful job with this book. I’m so glad @theinfinitereader.blog told me about it. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
Thanks so much @netgalley for the advanced copy!
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I loved this coming of age modern romance. Poor Olivia (Sarah) has her life completely turned inside out after her mother tragically dies and she discovers a horrible secret. The way Sarah handles the aftermath is both emotional and inspirational. She is such an intelligent, gentle and strong young woman. This story was beautifully written with complex characters. I highly recommend this book.
What an emotional roller-coaster!!
***I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.***
ARC received from The Next Step PR
When the synopsis for this dropped, it didn’t sound good. The synopsis is quite misleading. When there was clarity around this and reviews started to come in, I was quite drawn into this book, and now having read it, I can say I made a very wise choice.
There’s something very eloquent about this story and no matter what I say about it, I will never be able to capture the beauty that is this book. Our main character Olivia finds out she was kidnapped and she’s sent to live with the Randalls, a family she never knew she had. All of a sudden she has a second life
The plot alone is beautiful and heartbreaking. I felt for Olivia/Sarah. She’s happy to have a loving family, but she already had that. She’s happy to be loved by people who clearly want her, but she’s being torn in multiple directions. I have to say, I hated her parents at first. I understand their fears and how for them, she’s always been Sarah. But they needed to understand her as well; that she was this other girl for so many years. Sarah attends therapy, but I think they all should have done family therapy. I think when situations arose that they fought over, this could have been stuff to be counselled through by a professional, since the mother clearly needed a reminder that Sarah lived as someone else for a while.
Again, given the original belief about this book, it seemed very coming-of-age women’s fiction. It is a young adult book, but it’s a novel that needs to be experienced. It can be considered coming-of-age, but it’s more coming-into-self. Because she was Olivia, and is now Sarah, so who is she really?
The siblings really won me over. The brothers are fantastic. Kind, patient, and protective but not annoying; even keeping secrets for her. They were uber understanding and I think they should have had conversations with their mother. The sister isn’t in this book a lot, and I think that was based on her age, so I suspect in coming books we will.
Olivia grew up having a cousin but never seeing him. She mainly just knew of him. After the funeral, she sees him again, at the same high school she is now attending. He’s protective of her, and more importantly now that they are not family (and never was) he is able to act on it. What I enjoyed the most was the distance at first. While he was a friend, and later a flirt, he was understanding of her situation and tried to help while he could but also kept distance. He let her experience friendships and relationships in this new place without his direct intervention. He was patient, kind, and exactly what she needed. They were a perfect fit.
GIven the synopsis, I actually had a feeling there would be more lies and more deceit eventually coming, something that he would help her uncover, but there isn’t. It’s a straightforward story by the end, which is nice.
This book is a lovely blend of strength, family bonding and growth, angst/heat, and romance. My one major critique with this book is how it ended. I can see the author was going for an open-ended “she is happy” vibe and leaving it open for the future. I also suspect “the future” will be shown to us through the other books of the series, but given the emphasis placed on the ending and the after-grad plans, I wish we got a bit more of that.
To sum up this book: it’s beautiful, heartwarming, additive, and something that should be experienced. I so look forward to Trent’s book!
Once I started reading this I couldn’t put it down, different to my normal read for sure. The mystery unfolds in such a way that nothing is washed over or hidden you get the complete raw emotions of everyone and that is what makes this so fabulous to read, which makes me want more. I voluntarily reviewed this book.
This book I felt in my heart. The little mystery, the suspense, the surprises and the romance. This book has it all. I need more of Sarah and Noah!
Sarah gets so many things thrown at her that she has to deal with as a teenager. No teenager should have to go through it all, but she comes out better at the end. She’s more diverse. I feel for this girl, but I also connected with her. We may be 10 years of an age difference but I still got her. Understood her. And Noah. Can we say perfect book boyfriend material? Yes please!
If you’re looking for a great coming of age romance, with some surprises and twists and turns, I think you’ll want to pick up this first installment of the Randall’s series. I’m ready for book two!
Heartbreaking beautiful story of lies, loss, love, truths, and finding oneself.
I have never read a book quite like this one, and honestly it wrecked me. Could you imagine losing your mom and finding out everything you ever knew was a lie. Then having to move and form relationships with all new people who you should have always known. Also finding love with the person you would have never thought you would. This story was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I loved absolutely every single second of it. Sarah had to deal with way more then any teenager ever should have to but came out stronger for it. Let’s not forget Noah either sweet, supportive, loving, and protective. I need more of them, seriously like now. I need to know everything what happens next…. I need answers. I can’t wait for the next book. If you want a book to get completely lost in you need to read this. I absolutely 100 percent recommend this book. If I could give it more then 5 stars I would.
“I was never the protective platonic figure. I was being the jealous guy wanting you to be his…”
This book is nothing like I’ve read before, this is not only a love story, this is a family story, the beginning of the true Randall family. There are so many emotions on this book, that is truly a work for me to put into words exactly how I feel. I felt angst, fear, embarrassment, happiness and love, and at the end I became aware of the true meaning of this story.
Olivia lost her mother from one moment to another, the only life she truly knew was over and instead, everything came crashing on her, her mother was no who she thought she was. Her true name is Sarah, and she was kidnapped 17 years ago, taken from the life she was supposed to have.
So now, comes the struggle to find out who she really is, it’s not an easy path but we all have been there, trying to figure out who we are meant to be or what to do. And there’s so much that Sarah (Olivia) has to figure out before she really starts living. And while doing so she has to be careful with her heart, she’s falling in love with the boy she is not supposed to have contact with, but he’s the only one who truly makes her feel like herself.
The first book of The Randalls series is nothing like you expect to be, it is an easy reading and I can’t wait to read more of Gail Haris.
Wow, this book was everything I wasnt expecting. It snuck up and punched me right in the heart.
Olivia had the perfect little life untill her mom is in an accident. Through some horrible twist of fate Olivia’s whole world changes. Everything she thought she knew is a lie. I loved watching Olivia struggle and grow into who she could’ve and should’ve been. The pain and stress slowly turning into friendship, happiness and love. It was a beautiful transformation. However plot twist left me clutching my chest as I truly did not expect the pain that followed such an amazing change in life.
Who is Sarah Randall has left a mark on me, with a beautiful reminder to love everyday, because life can always change in he blink of an eye.
It all starts with a letter and some pictures Olivia finds in a box in her mother’s closet, a box that changes everything she’s ever known.
Oh my word… this book!! It broke my heart more than once!! I can’t say I am not very excited for the next one! Gail Haris has created such a wonderful story, with love able characters, and told it with such depth and feeling!!
Noah was such a solid, supportive character! As was Richard. I wasn’t sure about Melissa. Landon was my favorite!!
What would you do if your whole life, your whole existence, was changed in a blink? I think Olivia is brave… I think Sarah is tenacious, but Alice?? Alice is… well… she’s the shit!! (Sorry for the language… it just fits.)
I loved this story. I couldn’t put this book down today. This book is a coming of age story for Sarah. Sarah searching for who she is had my emotions bouncing all over the place. I laughed, cried, and got really mad. It was hard to read some of her journey. Cindy’s side of the story made me mad. It made searching for the truth agonizing for Sarah. I loved Landon. He was a perfect character. I can’t leave this review before saying how much I loved him. I loved the relationship he developed with Sarah that was so much more than precious. The Randalls… they just wanted to be a happy family.
I can’t wait for more of the of them! The twist in this book had me speechless. I wanted to throw things. I did cry. I got totally swept up in this story and cried my eyes out. Now the only thing I can say now is give us more! Please give us more!!!
Before I picked up Who is Sarah Randal? I was unsure what to think but I am beyond glad that I accepted this ARC because I was blown away by the intense emotions I was feeling. I found myself thrown between confusion, anger, frustration, sadness, happiness, and satisfaction. Reading this story was like taking a dive into a wave –– I was tossed around, beat up, spit out, and ready for more!
Sarah/Olivia is such a brave and respectful young woman. I could not have handled half of what she went through with nearly as much grace or forgiveness for all the wrongs she endured. She learns she was a kidnap victim and that her best friend –– her mother –– is not the person she thought she was. She must assume the life of Sarah; the life she was always meant to have with the siblings she was always meant to bond with. Only bonding with her siblings isn’t the problem. Sarah finds herself struggling between her love for a dead fake mother and the love she wants to have for the woman who gave birth to her. Add in the confusion for feelings that develop for Noah, a boy she used to think was her cousin and Sarah is overwhelmed. She must overcome her feelings of guilt for loving her kidnapper, her romantic feelings for her non-cousin, and her strained relationship with her mother.
This book is so much more than a high school romance. It is perfect blend of mysterious, thrilling, and romance, and above all, it is a self discovery of a young girl who must figure out who she is among the chaos that is her life. There is nothing quite like this.
This was my first introduction into Gail Harris. Let me start off by saying that I love the cover. Normally, I do not enjoy a lot of covers with people on them but this book cover was captured wonderfully. I could really envision what she looked like. With that said, I did find some parts quite cheesy. The first couple chapters made me doubt whether I was going to like this book or not. They felt cheesy and rushed. However, as my daddy raised me to not be a quitter, I continued on. I found myself LOVING Noah. However, once the book was pushed in a certain direction, even I felt like scenes and relationships were rushed with him. I did enjoy the concept of the entire book. I just wished the characters had felt a tad more developed. I did enjoy the slow burn that Gail Harris had going up until that point.
This was a high school drama but in a good way. It had loads of drama, twists, turns, and sadness evoked throughout the book. All in all, this was a decent read. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it. It appears that Rachel and Trent get the next book. I think I’ll read along to find out what happens next with the Randall family.
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I honestly didn’t really know what to expect when I started this book. It became more then I could even picture in my mind. It takes you on a journey to finding ones self. Who is Sarah Randall? Who is Olivia Stevens? This journey is an emotional roller coaster one that takes some real dramatic turns and leaves you breathless and wanting. I cried and laughed and loved these people like they were mine….and that’s how well it was written. This author really know how to create a life and story.
Expect suspense, life, love, death, self discovery…..
5*
Olivia is close to her mother Cindy and is distraught when she is killed in a car accident.
Gathering some things to take to her aunts house she discovers a box that changes her world & starts an incredible journey.
A new author for me and I can’t wait to read more from the Randall’s
What a unique story! Full of drama to keep you reading more!! I loved it and can’t wait to finish the series!
The first in The Randall’s series, by Gail Haris, simply stunned me. I was pulled in from the beginning and taken on such an emotional roller coaster, I didn’t know if it was ever going to end. This story was captivating, haunting and an amazing kick off to this series! Gail has a way with words that enhance the journey her characters go on, and I was so glad I was along for this ride!
In Who is Sarah Randall, Olivia finds out after her mother passes away, she isn’t who she thinks she is. As she goes down a path to discover the truths about her past and the woman who raised her, nothing she believed is true. As the lies surrounding her continue to unravel, she finds comfort in the one person she shouldn’t.
This story is heartbreaking, emotional and very unexpected! The twists Gail has built into this story simply astonished me and even I couldn’t predict the spins she has developed in this story. Bravo Gail on book 1. I can’t wait for more Randalls!
This is the first book in this awesome new series and oh my it was the most captivating book that I have read it along time. This book deserves all five starts and more and I highly recommend this books to everyone as it is completely gripping right until the very end. I really like this authors style of writing and the way that the twists in this book kept me on the edge of my seat, totally mind blowing good.
Olivia, well Sarah has had an extremely hard shock to her system and now she doesn’t know who to trust or which way to turn and the only person who she feels comfortable with being around is Noah. You cant help but love her and you just want to throw your arms around her as I feel all the heartache and it just keeps happening shock after shock and my heart is in a vice. Noah is such a kind of wonderful soul and all that he does for Sarah you cant help but love him, he’s so real and genuine that he is exactly what she needs right now.
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough while reading this book as the twists and the shockers that just kept on coming my emotions were all over the place and the tears I felt for the parents were so real and my heart totally broke for them both and the Randall family. I loved the family and how the author has written them all and I loved them all and the way that this story flows was amazing. The way that this author has written this book was extremely powerful and raw and I was griped until the end. The characters felt real and the author brought them to life on the page and as the reader I have to say that this a book is one of the best that I have read this year and I cant wait to dive straight into the second as this book left off and I need answers immediately. Lol!
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