The Story of You and Me

<b>Healing doesn’t always come the way you think you need it</b><br /><br />Cover: Very pretty. 9/10<br />Plot: Healing in L.A.<br />Writing style: 8/10<br />Heroine: 7/10<br />Hero: 7/10<br />Jealousy: 1/10<br />Romance: 8/10<br />Hotness: 1/10<br />Ending: 8/10<br />Extra book Details: Stand alone, HEA. Much more YA than NA.<br />Overall: Quite close to a road-trip book.<br /><br />GoodRead's blurb is just not good enough for this book, nearly didn't read it because it just sounded like another generic book; 'they don't wanna fall in love, they both got secrets and they're both broken, but they might fall in love...' Though that does kinda happen... *smiley face* the book is mainly about 19 year old Sophie and her quest to find out if there is some kind of alternative healing that will help her Grandmother through her last years of life.<br /><br /><b>Sophie has moved 2,000 miles to L.A for the summer. Her grandmother has had MS for 30 years and been in a wheelchair for 5. Now her grandmother is at her worst. But not only that, Sophie has early onset MS. She's going to campus to learn genetics and she's going to travel L.A to become a “voluntary guinea pig for any kind of healing”... “Stem cells. Acupuncture. Vision Quest. Healing prayers. Chiropractic. A medical intuitive. Aura healing. Yoga intensives...”<br /><br />Sophie is brave, determined and open minded. She meets Alejandro (aka Alex) at a bar on campus her first night there. Alex is a student, a surfer and a 'Driver'. Drivers keep an eye on bar patrons and make sure no-one drives drunk, if they attempt to, then they revoke their keys and drive them home. After being in the middle of a bar fight, Alex takes care of her and drives her home. But after a disastrous time in L.A, getting lost and harmed, Sophie needs help. She can't drive and she needs to get to all her appointments, she calls on Alex to help and hires him as a chauffeur.</b><br /><br />Sophie and Alex experience an adventurous friendship. We get to see loads of different places of their travels in and around L.A. Sophie makes lots of new and inspiring friends and she experiences loads of new things. This was what probably made the book a 4 star for me. I really enjoyed the road-trip theme, it progressed well and the descriptions of places and people was written well but not overdone. The dialogue was always interesting and engaging. It was quirky and essential. I didn't fall in love with the characters and that's what knocked it down a star, but they definitely were interesting.<br />

POV: First-person through the main character, Sophie<br />Insta-Love: No Love Triangle: No<br />Cliffhanger: No<br /><br />Sophie has MS and travels to LA to participate in a stem cell therapy trial. She can't drive and so hires Alejandro (Alex) to drive her around. It's an idea that has not been overused and has so much potential to be hopeful and poignant and a real tear jerker. Sadly, it is none of those things. <br /><br />Characters: <br />From the very beginning, I never really connected with Sophie. She's supposed to be this innocent midwestern girl with a lot of gumption who moves to the big city by herself. Instead, she comes off as a girl who thinks she knows it all and does really really stupid things. She's a damsel in distress more than once and the situations she's in are totally of her own making. There are multiple scenes where she refers to how great she is at controlling or rebuffing "Alpha boys." Those scenes really grated on my nerves, too, because most of what she did or said made no sense. Many of the things Sophie says and does are very immature. Her character is much more YA than NA.<br /><br />On the other hand, I really liked Alejandro. He was sweet and kind and had a great head on his shoulders. Sophie refers to him repeatedly as an "Alpha" boy but I didn't get that at all. He wasn't overpowering or domineering. I could not, for the life of me, figure out why the heck he was so attracted to Sophie. Alex is definitely a swoon-worthy book boyfriend.<br /><br />Dialogue: <br />This is one of my biggest problems with this book. I love witty banter between a great couple. I didn't find that between Sophie and Alex. Some of the things said didn't seem to make sense and there never seemed to be a great flow between them. <br /><br />Plot and Pacing:<br />The general storyline is a good one. Sophie travels around LA looking for alternative therapies to deal with her MS. Alex drives her around and acts as her protector since she's new to the city and some of the places she needs to go are not in the nicest neighborhoods. She tries everything from massage to acupuncture to vision quests. I enjoyed reading about these and about the growing closeness between Sophie and Alex. There was an awful lot that I didn't like, though. Sophie seems to get in a lot of sticky situations and there always seem to be strangers nearby willing to help her. Many of these situations seemed a little too convenient. There were certain events that seemed to be thrown in just to spice things up instead of to really add anything to the plot and things were wrapped up a little too neatly in the end. Although, if you're a fan of HEA's, you'll probably love that. I like a happy ending, but only when they're realistically so. <br /><br />Romance:<br />The romance between Alex and Sophie seems to develop naturally. They are attracted to one another from the start but not in an overpowering "I must jump his/her bones right now" kind of way. They feel each other out and Alex tries to court her a little with these really cute gifts and gestures. They each have a secret. We know what Sophie's is and it's not hard to guess what Alex's is. There's no huge drama or hurt feelings over lies or deceit. They both come clean when the time is right. That was refreshing. There are no explicit scenes really. Any physical stuff is pretty PG-13. <br /><br />Overall:<br />I almost quite reading this book more than once. I really only continued because it was a pretty quick read, and by the time I was really fed up I was 90% done. I give this two stars instead of just one because there were some parts that I enjoyed, the romance was sweet and the general idea was good. I did not like or connect to Sophie even though every single person she meets in the book loves her on sight. I found her immature and the situations she gets herself into were borderline ridiculous. I also feel that the dialogue had a tendency to be a little jarring and didn't flow well. I was irritated and frustrated throughout most of the book. This just wasn't for me. There are a whole lot of 4 and 5 star reviews out there, though, so if you're a fan of romance, you may like this more than I did. <br />

I love these types of stories. Love them and was so happy to start reading it that I started the minute it was downloaded into my KINDLE. This book made me realize what an important role the main characters, especially the heroine. Sophie has MS and moves to LA for the summer to be on a trial experiment. On her first night in LA she meets Alejandro “Alex” Maxwell Levine. Alejandro is a “driver”. If someone is intoxicated and needs a ride home from a bar, he and three other guys offer patrons a ride home. While Sophie is at The Grill gets hit by a beer bottle by accident and is taken by Alejandro to the hospital. The next day on her way home from seeing a healer, she has a run in with some bad people that make her decide to hire Alejandro to drive her to all her appointments. Alejandro is very persistent to take Sophie out, but Sophie feels that she should not start any type of relationship since she needs to concentrate on her beating the disease. As Alejandro drives Sophie around for different type of treatments, they get to know each other and even though Sophie did not want to fall in love, she cannot help it.<br /><br />First, I did not like Sophie at all. I have read several books where the heroine rejects the hero a dozen times before she finally accepts any type of invitation from him. And to be honest I love the cat and mouse game with the whole process, but Sophie, I felt was a little mean. I could not understand what Alejandro found cute and endearing in her. Alejandro was just a good person and I felt he put up with a lot. Second, I have two close friends who have suffered with MS for years. I see what it does to a person. I understand that Sophie did not want to just hold on to one option to find a cure for her MS, but she made a promise to the one treatment facility that she would not experiment with other drugs but Sophie does. Sophie starts using other drugs which can really ruin the numbers/results for the trial. I just felt she was selfish and hypercritical. I see what angle the author was trying to take with Sophie, but a lot of her behavior felt wrong. The relationship between Alejandro and Sophie felt awkward. I did not feel the connection. Sophie pushing him away to protect her did not feel like protection but just a bad attitude.<br /><br />A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.<br />

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.<br /><br />I never expected this book to affect me the way it did. As an avid reader, I've always come across books where they say love heals. Love heals. I didn't know how powerful those words are until I read The Story of You and Me. It was beautiful, heart wrenching, and completely unforgettable.<br /><br /><b>"I wouldn't mind catching you every time you fall"</b><br /><br />Sophie is currently fighting a debilitating disease at only 19 years of age. She finds her self in California to be part of an experimental drug program in a USCLA Medical study. She is not only fighting this disease for herself, but also for someone she loves. As we all know, life doesn't always go to plan. Life happens in the version of drop dead gorgeous, six foot two, Alejandro Levine. Sophie ends up hiring Alejandro as her driver. But, her secrets are her own. No matter how much she is falling for him. Little does she know that he has secrets too. That he is not just your average college student. When the two collide it is magical, consuming. Watching them fall in love was breath taking. Watching them fall apart was heartbreaking. Eventually Sophie realizes that she was looking for healing in all the wrong places. Alejandro healed her soul. And more. And Sophie? She gave Alejandro a reason to live. Again.<br /><br /><b>"And that's when he finally kissed me. Sweetly. Slowly. Surely."</b><br /><br />THIS BOOK. The synopsis does not do it justice. If you think you know what it is about. You have NO idea. There is so much to this story. If you are reading some other NA book, put it down and start this one right now. Giving away more of it will just be a complete injustice. You need to FEEL this book. LIVE it. EXPERIENCE it. I was captivated by this story the moment I read the first page. Alejandro is like no other character. He completely stole my heart. Besides being devastatingly handsome, he is kind and has the most beautiful soul you will ever encounter while reading a book. Sophie is the most brave heroine you will ever meet. Life hands her a fate that is unimaginable at her age. Yet, rather than save herself, she fights to save someone else.<br /><br /><b>"I thought of the funny ways our lives twist, turn, and collide. We think something's truly terrible-and it might be-but then something magic happens. You meet someone. You find healing. You fall in love."</b><br /><br />Sophie and Alejandro share a bond that is beyond words. Their love knows no boundaries. Their souls are completely attracted to each other. And you FEEL it. It is raw, genuine, all consuming love that these two grow into. Their beautiful story and journey completely inspire you. To love and live hard with everything. This story? THIS is romance. THIS is LOVE. TRUE love. A love that surpasses all. So why four stars? I wanted more. Their story cannot be over. At least not for me. <br /><br /><b>"I knew that I'd always love him. He'd always hold an exceptional piece of my soul, my heart, my mind. He was my first love. He sheltered me."</b> <br /><br />This book stole my heart with every word. It was powerful, consumed my mind for an entire day and I am still thinking about it this very next day. When it's love. You know it. You feel it. Just like with Sophie and Alejandro. Both are broken. They think they cannot be fixed until they meet one another. The world makes more sense now that they have each other. Love conquers. Love never fails. Love heals. Always. While this book is a standalone and a completely story, I would just like to say that I truly feel that there is so much more to their story and would love to see more of them. <br /><br /><b>"And I don't care if you belong to the world. I still want you to belong to me."<br /><br />"I'll always belong to you."</b>

I gave this book 5 Stars out of 5 because I loved the fact that the Story was based around Sophie a young woman ( and her Nanna) from the Midwest of America with MS who travels to LA to research Healing Techniques that will help with MS as well as to take part in a stem Cell research project at USCLA but meets and falls in love with a Local boy.<br /><br /> Sophie was a really good character because to begin with she was a girl who was closed off to loving anyone, as she's scared of loosing people, and absolutely focused on finding something that will cure her Nanna's (and her) MS but gradually she opens her heart up to Alejandro, as well as the Kitten that she adopts, ultimately falling in love with both of them.<br /><br /> Alejandro was a lovely character who you couldn't help but fall in love with. To begin with he was a very closed off angry young man who thought he was a monster due to an accident that he had been involved in several years before in which one of his friends was killed but through the book as he falls in love with Sophie he begins to heal himself as he opens up to Sophie about what happened. Throughout the book he's a strong and supportive person when it comes to Sophie and all his friends.<br /><br /> It was the love story between Sophie and Alejandro as well as all the things that happened to Sophie while she was in LA that was addictive and made it impossible for me to put it down.

*ARC given in exchange for my honest review*<br /><br />I give this book a 4.5. Sophie is a 19 year old girl with MS. It's a disease that also effects her grandmother so she decides to go to LA to join the USCLA Medical Study to heal her disease. She also goes around to different healers as well to try anything that will help. Her first night there she ends up in the middle of a bar fight and gets hurt. That is when she meets Alejandro.<br /><br />Alejandro is a 21 year old "driver." After he helps Sophie during the bar fight he takes her to get her cuts bandaged up. After seeing how difficult it is traveling in LA and being attacked by a member of a gang she hires Alejandro to be her personal driver. After spending time with each other they both fall in love. Sophie has a hard time because she doesn't think he deserves to be with someone who will eventually die, but he has a secret too and they both end up getting through it together.<br /><br />The author did a great job writing this book. Its heartfelt and its something I think a lot of people can relate too.

DNF. <br />So, I don't even think I made it to chapter two. <br />The cincher was the hospital scene. <br />Why exactly does someone with a few lacerations that don't even require stiches have to abstain from sexual intercourse until the wounds are healed?<br /><br />I don't think they are about to spontaneously errupt into infection, espectially since she'll be on 2 types of antibiotics, if she has sex. That was the dumbest thing ever. <br />Also, I could not take the innapropriateness of the doctor. <br />He's calling her pretty. Talking about the dangers of having sex until her wounds are healed. Okay, fine. Maybe I could deal with that if he was something of an eccentric, but he just carries on telling them that if they absolutely can't resist, they'll have to reduce themselves to forplay for the next few weeks. <br />Meawhile, Sophie is still stuttering about how they aren't boyfriend-girlfriend. It was so rediculous, I had to stop.

Read this new book by Pamela DuMond. It's a very heartwarming, sweet New Adult romance that I can't seem to put down. You'll find yourself cheering on Sophie in her quest. You'll fall in love with Alex for all sorts of reasons. You'll feel all kinds of emotions reading this book.

So sweet. I loved the sharp wit. Make sure to read the authors 'On a personal note' at the end, it puts so much more meaning into the story!

What would you do to save someone<br /> you love? Someone whose shaped your life<br /> indescribably? Travel thousands of miles,<br /> be a 'guinea pig' for healers? Would you guard your heart from<br /> the man your falling in love with - from the man you've<br /> already fallen in love with?<br /><br />5 healing ***** from The Sassy Bookista!!! <br />(For links to excerpt and teaser pics with review --&gt;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://wp.me/P49zim-pW">http://wp.me/P49zim-pW</a> )<br /><br />This is a full-length, standalone novel. The story finishes with a HEA for the couple. There is no cheating in this book.<br /><br />AMAZING! When I finished this book I sat there with an enormous smile and happy, misty eyes. I loved every second of this book! And the blurb? It's great isn't it? But it doesn't nearly cover what you'll experience with this book! It's definitely a story hope, of love and of redemption - but it's more about the journey to arrive at these that makes it all magical. Makes it one of those books that you find yourself in awe of such amazing characters and what they can endure. It's a supremely, enticing read that had me falling for every. single. character.<br /><br />"Life is short... We are not perfect people. We don't know how much time we will have together. But I will guarantee you this. We have something far more special than the majority of people. Consider this to be your official invitation -"<br /><br />When I first meet Sophie, I realize she's different from one of thousands of 20-somethings. Even though she only 19. She's intelligent, driven, and she's not looking for a man. That told me a lot actually. She was not looking for friends, or a 'good time'. She wasn't perusing the atmosphere...she was there for a reason. A mature reason - one that could change her life and that of someone very close to her. She's in California and she's from Wisconsin. Sophie is close to the USCLA campus - but she's there for a reason. (I keep saying 'reason' because I refuse to spoil anything about this book! It's one you simply must read!!) I like her right away. I remember thinking, Sophie seemed old for her age. Seemed to have lived through much more than she was letting everyone else see. Sophie doesn't put off the friendly vibe, at first, yet she gains an admirer, Alejandro, after he has to assist her. Well, maybe not admirer, but someone who cares for her without realizing it. I'm struck at how quickly they seem to form a bond/friendship. Although, she tries to push him away. She's continues to fight her attraction but I sense that she knows deep down she will change her mind. She knows she infatuated with him but she doesn't want to mess up her plan and the 'reason' she's there in the first place. Alejandro is that guy whose everyone's friend. Everyone knows him, everyone's an acquaintance. Alejandro is a 'Driver'. He doesn't drink, and along with a few of his very close friends formed the Drivers. A sort of designated drivers system so that the kids at USCLA call one of them if they need a ride after drinking. It's a really cool idea actually and made me think of him a someone incredibly responsible, mature, and focused. He's that way with Sophie when they first meet, too. Continuously trying to make her laugh or smile with his jokes but there's never the feeling that he's a 'jokester'. The banter between them is hilarious - she's funny without trying to be and he's...well he's got a line for everything. In a good way. He seems to care for her right out of the gate. I just adored the two of them together.<br /><br />"Not to be a b?t*h, but don't screw it up."<br />"I got it... I'm human, Sophie Marie Priebe. I'll definitely mess it up. But when I do? Remind yourself, Bonita, that you're hanging out with a guy who has not only the heart, but also the balls to make it right."<br /><br />I felt tranced, at times, reading this book. Emerged in the friendships forming between Sophie and 'the wheelies', a group of gals in wheelchairs, and with Cole, her neighbor. At times, the book gives you a little, letting you write the rest, and other times it's so intense with what's happening to Sophie and her 'reason'. The story ebbs and flows. In the best way. Alejandro is an alpha-boy but he's a really sweet alpha-boy. And Sophie feels inadequate for him. But at the same time, she needs him. His driving and his friendship. I could see the struggle she had with that and imagine I would have the same struggle in her situation. When they have the sidewalk conversation about what he wants and what she wants I was holding my breath! I really wanted them to be 100% honest... He has a pet name for her - Bonita. It's so perfect as to who he is and how he sees her. She trusts him and for some strange reason feels safe and protected. There are so many ways, in the book, he is there for her. Either because she needed him or because he just wanted to be. The book is about the journey that the two of them take. I feel it was MORE than that though... It became the journey he takes. The journey he takes. And then becomes, somewhere in the mix of all the amazing stuff, the journey that they took together.<br /><br />Thank you Pamela DuMond!! For the journey I will never forget!!! <br /><br />