Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Come See About Me by C.K. Kelly Martin

Publisher: Self-Published
Publish Date: June 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4776-0514-1
Pages: 235
Series: None
Source: From author for honest review

From Goodreads:
Twenty-year-old Leah Fischer's been in a state of collapse since the moment police arrived on her Toronto doorstep to inform her that boyfriend Bastien was killed in a car accident. After flunking out of university and cutting herself off from nearly everyone she knows, Leah's saved by Bastien's aunt who offers her a rent-free place to stay in a nearby suburban town.
Initially Leah keeps to herself, with no energy for anyone or anything else, but it's not long before her nurturing neighbours begin to become fixtures in Leah's life and a much needed part-time job forces her to interact with other members of the community. And when Leah is faced with another earth-shattering event, her perspective on life begins to shift again. Soon Leah's falling into a casual sexual relationship with Irish actor Liam Kellehan, who has troubles of his own, even as she continues to yearn for her dead boyfriend. Clearly she's not the person she thought she was—and maybe Liam isn't either.

My Review:
Come See About Me is a book about a young girls struggle after losing her boyfriend, and continuing her life without him. Leah and Bastien were meant to be together and everyone could see it. They were happy, young and they were soul mates. Leah planned on spending her life with him and vice versa. That is until the police knock on their door and inform her that Bastien had been in a terrible car accident and didn't survive  Leah's world and heart crumble in front of her. Her worst nightmares have come true. Leah stops living - staying at their shared house to feel closer to him - hours, days, weeks slip away and there is nothing and nobody who can wake Leah from this oblivion she has fallen into. Even her friends that are slowly drifting away cannot get Leah to confront this tragedy and move past it. It's not until Bastien's aunt makes a suggestion that will get Leah away from their apartment and moving ahead. Once away, things start looking up for Leah. She meets a few acquaintances  starts a new job and even meets Liam - a guy who knows what it's like to have to get away from your past. Life is starting to fall into place once again, though it will never be the same, until Leah get's another phone call. Something else has happened.
Come See About Me was a great book. C.K. Kelly Martin writes what seems to be an effortless book. The characters are so well written and the story is real and honest. I often felt as though I could be Leah's friend and help her through her struggles. The devastation she feels on the loss of her boyfriend is so pure and genuine. And the guilt Leah feels for wanting Liam the way she does is all too much to handle but Martin hit's it all perfectly, creating a perfect pendulum of guilt and desire. Leah is not just another character in a story, she is a real person, someone we can relate to on a personal level (whether through ourselves or a friend, we've watched this happen). There is some romance play out in this book, but nothing that overshadows the importance of the rest of the story.
C.K. Kelly Martin set's this story in parts of Ontario, which is where I'm from, so it's nice to read a book set here. With Toronto and Oakville playing a huge part in Come See About Me, I felt a bit more connected to the overall story. It's not considered a YA book seeing as Leah is 20 which is apparently too old a character for this genre but I would definitely recommend it for all ages - teens and adults alike would appreciate the sincerity of Come See About Me.
This book is a phenomenal story of what could happen in a split second that could change your life forever. It's emotional but heartwarming and can make the reader appreciate every minute spent with the ones we love.

1 comment:

Lynda said...

Resounds like a good book to read! I may have to borrow it from the library sometime!



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