Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Come Away With Me and GIVEAWAY!!!

You guys? NO WORDS. Honestly, it's up there for Book of the Year for me.

Come Away With Me - Karma Brown
Come Away with Me
One minute, Tegan Lawson has everything she could hope for: an adoring husband, Gabe, and a baby on the way. The next, a patch of black ice causes a devastating accident that will change her life in ways she never could have imagined.

Tegan is consumed by grief, not to mention her anger toward Gabe, who was driving on the night of the crash. But just when she thinks she's hit rock bottom, Gabe reminds her of their Jar of Spontaneity, a collection of their dream destinations and experiences, and so begins an adventure of a lifetime.

From the bustling markets of Thailand to the flavors of Italy to the ocean waves in Hawaii, Tegan and Gabe embark on a journey to escape the tragedy and search for forgiveness. But they soon learn that grief follows you no matter how far away you run, and that acceptance comes when you least expect it. 


Heartbreaking, hopeful and utterly transporting, Come Away with Me is an unforgettable debut and a luminous celebration of the strength of the human spirit.

DEBUT novel, folks. Debut. I would not have believed that at all if someone on the street told me that, but it's clearly a debut and holy cripes- it's amazing. I don't care who you are, if this book doesn't punch you in the gut repeatedly? You are a dead soul. You are dead and just nobody I want to know. I'm going to tell you I was doing JUST FINE until chapter 53 and then... then I had to stop drinking liquids because I started choking and started with the full on ugly cry to the absolute end of the book. 

WHAT KIND OF PLOT TWIST IS THAT, KARMA?!  I feel like a page before chapter 53 that says, "Stop reading here unless you can commit to finishing the book in one sitting. Stop reading if you are in a public place, wearing eye makeup, eating/drinking, or have small children who will be concerned when you start sobbing." 

OK. *calming breath*

The book is about Tegan. Tegan is happily married to what is easily the best guy in all of the world, Gabe and currently 6 months pregnant with their first son. The chapters flash back to "before the accident" and "after the accident" because that accident is the catalyst for the entire story. Tegan and Gabe are driving to his parents house, running late, and they hit black ice. It's a horrific accident that it's amazing there were any survivors. Tegan loses the baby and subsequently undergoes an emergency hysterectomy to save her life. Upon learning that, Tegan spirals into a world of pity, depression, and immense sorrow. Friends and family are deeply concerned that she's never going to come back to normal. When she's hit the absolute bottom, Gabe asks her to bring out their Jar of Spontaneity, which is full of things they wanted to do in their shared life together, to be done when things were feeling dull or stressful during married life. Reluctantly she does so and it starts their six week journey to Bangkok, Italy, and Hawaii. They meet amazing people along the way and Tegan struggles to mourn the life she thought she would have and figure out what life is going to be now. 

All along the way, Gabe talks to her and reassures her that she can do this. She's not sure and you just feel absolutely awful for her. And then chapter 53 happens and you feel like you've been punched in the face. So much so that I had to go back and RE-READ the entire first 52 chapters and I could not believe I was that stupid and missed all of the clues. 

Seasoned reader here missed ALL of the clue. 

Slow clap, Karma Brown, slow clap. 

I cannot tell you any more. I can't. It ruins it for you and I swear to you this book is something you need in your life. I think what else drew me to this book was I identified with Tegan. Her and I feel like kindred spirits and one section of the book early on sealed the deal there: 

I'm a beacon for the talkers. It's as if I have a flashing sign that reads, "I want to hear all your stories, especially about your pet or disgusting medical issue!" No matter where I am, whether on the "L" train or walking through a shopping mall or sitting at a picnic bench in the park, the talkers flock to me. "It's your eyes," Gabe says by way of explanation. "You have curious eyes."

Then, at the end of the book, Tegan's dad says something to her and it encompasses everything I believe about marriage: 

"I don't love your mother any more that I did all those years ago, but the way I love her has changed." 

And isn't that just the truth? I feel like having this printed on little note cards so that every time an idiot says, "I love him, I'm just not "in" love with him" I can throw the card at them. That phrase is the basis for so many divorces because people don't get that love changes. No matter what happens to any of us in life, the way we love changes. 

Anyways. 

I highly recommend this book. I can't recommend this to enough people. Go buy it right now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. If you know me at all, you know one of my favorite authors of all time is Susanna Daniel because she is just amazing. Her books are in my heart forever and I have a feeling Karma Brown will be there right with her. This book... gut wrench but amazing. 



But you are in LUCK! One reader (US/Canada only) has a chance to win a copy for themselves! If ever there was a time to knock a person out, it would be right now fighting for this book. So in order to win a copy for your very own, what are 3 bucket list items of yours? Leave me a comment with that (and include your email!!) and I'll draw a name on Monday, August 31! 




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20 comments:

CallMeKarma said...

So happy you loved the book, and thank you for this amazing review! Sorry about chapter 53, but it had to be done :)
Karma

Unknown said...

Oh!!!!!! I think I have an idea of the plot twist. Wonder if I'm right. . So excited to read this. Just bumped this up to the top of my list. It sounds so good!!

So my bucket list. . .

1- Send my kids to college with still having some money in the bank (we have 4 kids)
2- Take a trip to Italy with Jason-Surprise him with the trip
3- Find a way to show my parents how much I appreciate and adore them.

nichole@cuppageek.com

Unknown said...

See The Rocky Mountains, hike the Appalachian Trail, and travel around Europe. I want to see the world and take lots of photos!

latanya t said...

I want to go to France, sky dive, and go to San Diego

dlatany at gmail dot com

cpr040304 said...

1. Get my BS
2. Go on vacation
3. Buy a house

Mattie @ Northwest Native said...

AH I must know the twist! I have some guesses...maybe... I'm only reading two books plus just got another from the library that I need to start so it's not like I'm overloaded or anything. Haha!

1. Buy a house!
2. Have kids (adopt if we end up unable to get pregnant!)
3. Travel to England, Ireland, and Scotland
(Not necessarily in that order...I'd like to take the trip pre-kids, I think!)

mattieroush@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I never really thought about having a specific bucket list but I'd like to visit Israel someday and I'd like to be a successful entrepreneur when my kids are a little more grown

Why Girls Are Weird said...

Although I figured the end out before it happened it still made me cry tons of ugly tears. Oh man. This book. I almost feel like I want to read it again.

Domicile 37 said...

sounds like a good book and like it would make a good movie. Glad you liked it! I know I would be balling crying over a story line like that--I cannot even watch lifetime!

Mom on the Move said...

This sounds like a great book! I'd love to win it!
Bucket list:
1. Go to South Korea where I was born
2. Visit Wales where my Grandma is from
3. Skydive
Thanks for the great review and the giveaway!

Cynthia said...

My bucket list dwindles each year as I cross more things off I completed. Still on the list...
1. do a medical missionary trip
2. run a full marathon
3. finish my novel

Cynthia @craftoflaughter

Shann Eva said...

Man. My book list keeps getting longer and longer. This sounds too good to pass up. 3 items from my bucket list:
1. Take kids on a plane
2. Hold or maybe just pet a Koala Bear
3. Learn to sew
shanneva@yahoo.com

Obiuser said...

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Angela - Bookaunt said...

Three of my bucket list items are to travel to Europe, meet Tim Mcgraw and Faith Hill and spend the night in a castle. Thank you for the chance to win this book. I can't wait to read it.

Stephanie Griffin said...

That book sounds amazing!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for being a part of the tour!

Kimberly V said...

Three things that are on my bucket list: riding an elephant, seeing the Northern Lights, taking a cruise along the coast of Norway from end to end.

Kimberly V said...

Sorry, I forgot my email.
k3kdpv at gmail dot com

Caitlin said...

Wow, this sounds awesome! Thanks for the recommendation!
xo, Caitlin
And Possibly Dinosaurs

Unknown said...

YAY! I love getting new book ideas! I can't wait to check this one out!