By:
Karina Halle
Published:
March 31, 2015
Publisher:
Atria Books
Source:
eARC from Publisher for a honest review
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GR's Summary:
A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.
Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can't get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.
It's not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma's name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go even when you know you have to say goodbye.
Lindy's Thoughts:
Where Sea Meets Sky is vastly different from Ms. Halle's other stories. I love her writing style, and when I saw the beautiful book cover for this story, and read the synopsis, I knew I had to read it!
Where Sea Meets sky is a deeply romantic story, with a beautiful and descriptive setting, and about letting go of fear, taking chances, and finding your passion. I love that this story had so much depth and emotional layers. It was so much more than I initially had anticipated, and for this I am grateful. I love a story that makes me look inside of myself, and contemplate my fears, passions, and actions. This story made me contemplate what it means to be truly alive, and how when we open ourselves up, and truly feel, we may be risking pain, but we are in danger of not really living if we don't take that risk.
In this story we meet Josh and Gemma. Josh is from Canada (Vancouver), and meets Gemma one night at a Halloween party. She has been traveling around the world, but after this last stop, she is returning to New Zealand. Josh and Gemma click. They talk all night long, laugh, and share the most intense and passionate lovemaking of their lives. They are very sad to say goodbye, and will never forget one another.
Josh is unhappy in his life. He's living at home with his mom, has an unfulfilling job, and needs a change in his life. He has gotten in to Art School, but doesn't start for another two months. So he makes the decision to use his savings and travel to New Zealand to hopefully find Gemma and have an adventure. However, when Josh gets to New Zealand not everything goes as planned. Gemma talks Josh in to taking a road trip, along with two others to see all of the sights that New Zealand has to offer. Unfortunately, while Josh and Gemma begin to create wonderful memories, and fall for one another, Josh has his work cut out for him when it comes to breaking the walls that Gemma has erected around her heart. Will she let love in? Or, will fear stop Gemma from being happy and learning the meaning of truly living?
The setting of New Zealand was exotic, and truly breathtaking. As Gemma and Josh traveled, I felt like I was traveling in the vintage RV, "Mr. Orange," with them and the rest of the group listening to Pink Floyd. We stayed in various hostels, went camping, hiking, cave diving, black water rafting, swam with the dolphins, and saw mini blue penguins. I learned new terminology and phraseology. Ms. Halle put a lot of research in to this story, and it paid off. I could visualize all of the beautiful landscapes, and various terrain all over New Zealand.
Josh was an extremely likable character. He was very patient, kind, compassionate, and attentive to Gemma. She continuously pushed him away, and was not easy to love. She was filled with such deep pain that she preferred to be numb inside, and it really took someone as special as Josh to break down all of her barriers. These two had such intense passion, but it was all of the emotion that made this love story so powerful.
Where Sea Meets sky is a deeply romantic story, with a beautiful and descriptive setting, and about letting go of fear, taking chances, and finding your passion. I love that this story had so much depth and emotional layers. It was so much more than I initially had anticipated, and for this I am grateful. I love a story that makes me look inside of myself, and contemplate my fears, passions, and actions. This story made me contemplate what it means to be truly alive, and how when we open ourselves up, and truly feel, we may be risking pain, but we are in danger of not really living if we don't take that risk.
In this story we meet Josh and Gemma. Josh is from Canada (Vancouver), and meets Gemma one night at a Halloween party. She has been traveling around the world, but after this last stop, she is returning to New Zealand. Josh and Gemma click. They talk all night long, laugh, and share the most intense and passionate lovemaking of their lives. They are very sad to say goodbye, and will never forget one another.
Josh is unhappy in his life. He's living at home with his mom, has an unfulfilling job, and needs a change in his life. He has gotten in to Art School, but doesn't start for another two months. So he makes the decision to use his savings and travel to New Zealand to hopefully find Gemma and have an adventure. However, when Josh gets to New Zealand not everything goes as planned. Gemma talks Josh in to taking a road trip, along with two others to see all of the sights that New Zealand has to offer. Unfortunately, while Josh and Gemma begin to create wonderful memories, and fall for one another, Josh has his work cut out for him when it comes to breaking the walls that Gemma has erected around her heart. Will she let love in? Or, will fear stop Gemma from being happy and learning the meaning of truly living?
The setting of New Zealand was exotic, and truly breathtaking. As Gemma and Josh traveled, I felt like I was traveling in the vintage RV, "Mr. Orange," with them and the rest of the group listening to Pink Floyd. We stayed in various hostels, went camping, hiking, cave diving, black water rafting, swam with the dolphins, and saw mini blue penguins. I learned new terminology and phraseology. Ms. Halle put a lot of research in to this story, and it paid off. I could visualize all of the beautiful landscapes, and various terrain all over New Zealand.
Josh was an extremely likable character. He was very patient, kind, compassionate, and attentive to Gemma. She continuously pushed him away, and was not easy to love. She was filled with such deep pain that she preferred to be numb inside, and it really took someone as special as Josh to break down all of her barriers. These two had such intense passion, but it was all of the emotion that made this love story so powerful.
My Rating:
I give, Where Sea Meets Sky, by Karina Halle, 4 Taking a Chance on Love, Lessons in Living, Passion and Emotion Filled Stars! If you are a Karina Halle fan, don't expect this story to be like her others, because it is very different. However, it is such a great story about love, passion, heartbreak, and finding who you are, and what you want in your life.
My Favorite Quotes:
" 'I believe,' I say slowly, 'that everyone you meet leaves an imprint on you. By the end of your life, that imprint has shaped who you are what life you've lived.' " (eARC, Loc. 2842)
~Josh
"I can feel every inch of him. Inside me, around me, in the air I breathe, in the empty parts of my soul." (eARC, Loc. 3962)
~Gemma
Mikki's Review:
Where Sea Meets Sky, by Karina Halle, was such a wonderful reading escape! The first series I ever read from this author was The Artist Trilogy. WSMS is totally different from that series. It equally packed with intense moments, the writing style is once again phenomenal and the characters are simply amazing!
Gemma an Josh meet at an Halloween party in Vancouver, which is Josh’s hometown. After an unforgettable one-night stand, Gemma leaves to go back to New Zealand and Josh just can’t stop thinking about her. The time that they spent together might have been short, but the impact that she made was big. Josh takes a major decision that will change his life; he drops everything and travels to New Zealand. When he finds Gemma, she’s already seeing someone. Josh won’t let that stop him from experiencing the best moments of his life. As days go by, memories are made and the bond between them grows stronger. Will Josh be able to hold on to Gemma or will he just be another visitor in her life?
After reading this book, I definitely want to visit New Zealand. There is so many interesting places to see! The author did such an amazing job at describing each and every one of the places they visited. I felt like I was tagging along with them on this unforgettable journey. Karina Halle’s writing style exquisite. Each new places that they visited brought Gemma and Josh closer together. I loved the way they slowly feel for each other. Their is no denying the chemistry between them. It was present every time they were in the same room.
Josh was my favorite character in this book. I connected with him from the very beginning. I loved to see him grow as a character and make life changing decisions. He was determined to find the courage to do things that would make him step out of his comfort zone. I have to admit that I loved the chemistry between Gemma and Josh, but I had a hard time connecting with Gemma. I just could not understand her sometimes. That did not take anything away from the story though. I really liked it and it was a memorable reading escape.
This journey was filled with emotional, intense, wild and interesting moments. Gemma and Josh learned a lot from each other. Gemma might have made a big impact on Josh’s life, but Josh totally stole the spotlight in Gemma’s life. His love for her was so powerful that even if her life journey would not have turned out the way that it did, there was no way she was ever going to forget about Josh.
Gemma an Josh meet at an Halloween party in Vancouver, which is Josh’s hometown. After an unforgettable one-night stand, Gemma leaves to go back to New Zealand and Josh just can’t stop thinking about her. The time that they spent together might have been short, but the impact that she made was big. Josh takes a major decision that will change his life; he drops everything and travels to New Zealand. When he finds Gemma, she’s already seeing someone. Josh won’t let that stop him from experiencing the best moments of his life. As days go by, memories are made and the bond between them grows stronger. Will Josh be able to hold on to Gemma or will he just be another visitor in her life?
After reading this book, I definitely want to visit New Zealand. There is so many interesting places to see! The author did such an amazing job at describing each and every one of the places they visited. I felt like I was tagging along with them on this unforgettable journey. Karina Halle’s writing style exquisite. Each new places that they visited brought Gemma and Josh closer together. I loved the way they slowly feel for each other. Their is no denying the chemistry between them. It was present every time they were in the same room.
Josh was my favorite character in this book. I connected with him from the very beginning. I loved to see him grow as a character and make life changing decisions. He was determined to find the courage to do things that would make him step out of his comfort zone. I have to admit that I loved the chemistry between Gemma and Josh, but I had a hard time connecting with Gemma. I just could not understand her sometimes. That did not take anything away from the story though. I really liked it and it was a memorable reading escape.
This journey was filled with emotional, intense, wild and interesting moments. Gemma and Josh learned a lot from each other. Gemma might have made a big impact on Josh’s life, but Josh totally stole the spotlight in Gemma’s life. His love for her was so powerful that even if her life journey would not have turned out the way that it did, there was no way she was ever going to forget about Josh.
My Rating:
Book Teasers:
About Karina Halle:
With her USA Today Bestselling The Artists Trilogy published by Grand Central Publishing, numerous foreign publication deals, and self-publishing success with her Experiment in Terror series, Vancouver-born Karina Halle is a true example of the term "Hybrid Author." Though her books showcase her love of all things dark, sexy and edgy, she's a closet romantic at heart and strives to give her characters a HEA...whenever possible. Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she’s preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiancé and rescue pup.
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Kinda sounds sweet with him following her home. I was worried there'd be someone else there but it sounds like Josh figures it out anyway. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteIt was a really sweet romance!
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