Tracing Holland By Alyson Santos

 

 

Tracing Holland

By Alyson Santos

Night Shifts Black (Book 2)

Released: September 12, 2016

 

 

BLURB

Callie asked if I was ready. And that’s the question, isn’t it? Ready for what? The  spotlight? The music? Or ready for life. Ready to face the reality that what I was is going to attack the very fabric of who I am now. No one knows I’m a different person. Well, no one except the two most important people in my life, which is why there’s a remote chance I might actually pull off the comeback I never saw coming.

Then again, that was before Holland Drake crashed into my life. I didn’t ask for her. Heaven knows she didn’t ask for me. But sometimes it’s not about what makes sense; it’s about accepting that not everything will. It’s learning you have a choice when it feels like you don’t. It’s believing even the worst past can still have a future.

And sometimes it’s none of that. Sometimes it’s survival. A blind fight through the pain as you cling to any shred of hope you can find. And it’s those moments, those desperate pleas into the darkness for a flicker of light, when you have no choice but to confront the blessing that often feels like a curse:

You’re still alive. You’re still significant.

You’re once again Luke Craven, frontman for Night Shifts Black.

**This novel is a work of fiction and intended for mature readers. Events and persons depicted are of a fictional nature and use language, make choices, and face situations inappropriate for younger readers. Please note this book also addresses the issues of depression and suicide in a compassionate, realistic manner. 

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS

Buy Night Shifts Black (Book 1) HERE

Buy Tracing Holland (Book 2) HERE
 

MY REVIEW

Tracing Holland is Book 2 of Night Shifts Black. These books are amazing. Tracing Holland is utterly amazing since you get to step into Luke’s mind. There were so many people upset with the first book NSB and Casey coming into the scene. I think you need to think about depression though. Someone depressed can’t go falling in love while being depressed...they don’t have that  mental health going on. Love is much more than lust.

I think Santos took these books on the perfect path. The readers learn about depression and what loved ones go through trying to love them. But the bond that was formed in the first book just continues to grow in the second.

When Luke visited Casey’s family and the ‘scene’ unfolded just pissed me off!!! I was mad for several reasons...for him being abandoned by his friends and for people to think this scene was acceptable. I was just floored. I also just adored Holland...she was exactly what Luke needed in this story, she believed in him and never questioned him.

My favorite quote from this book was from Luke, when he said: “I can hide in plain sight better than any person on this planet.” This is a sentence that explains depression so much! Not only do they feel invisible but they want it, they thrive in it!! But it really puts it in perspective how depression messes with you!!

I also loved Jesse being added to the story and how Luke saw himself in him. I think Jesse made him want to be better and do better. There was just so much growth in this book. It was heartwarming. I gotta add ...Oh my goodness…these guys on the tour! Pulling pranks….I just adore them! They were so funny!!!

I received an ARC of this book for in exchange for an honest review.

 

Night Shifts Black By Alyson Santos

 

Night Shifts Black

By Alyson Santos

Night Shifts Black (Book 1)

Released: March 20, 2016

BLURB

His name is Luke. But nobody knows that. He was an iconic musician before he gave up music. But nobody knows that either. They also don’t know he’s twenty-seven, that he used to have an infectious laugh, and that he’s way too young to be widowed. They certainly don’t know the rest of his tragic story. All they know is that he comes into their café at the same time every morning and stares at the same chair at the same table. They know he’s strange. They know he interrupts their breakfast with a cold blast of air as he hovers in the doorway, mustering the courage to confront a piece of furniture.

No one asks why. No one cares. He’s fine with that. He’s done with life. This isn’t even his story anymore. It’s actually Callie’s, the young writer who sat in his chair one day.

**  This novel is a work of fiction and intended for mature readers. Events and persons depicted are of a fictional nature and use language, make choices, and face situations inappropriate for younger readers. Please note this book also addresses the issues of depression and suicide in a compassionate, realistic manner. This book can be read as a standalone, but the story continues in Tracing Holland.

PURCHASE LINKS

 Buy Night Shifts Black (Book 1) HERE

Buy Tracing Holland (Book 2) HERE

 

MY REVIEW

This is a completely underrated book and NEEDS to be read more. Why is Alyson Santos name not everywhere?!!?! She has this amazing insight into the depressed mind that makes me wonder which side of depression she was on before. Luke will haunt you. Callie will touch your heart with her caring ways and strong-will. Casey will show you the true meaning of friendship. This isn’t a normal love story but it’s definitely about love!

This quote from Luke: “You have to stop thinking that the gap that separates us is because of a shortcoming on your part. Did you ever think that it might be on ours?” is completely amazing!! There was so much about this book that was intense and sad. If you’ve read other reviews than you know it’s about depression and suicide but it’s also about the struggle of leaving depression behind and moving on with life. This isn’t just a book on a depressed soul but also one that focuses on how depression affects everyone not just the depressed one.

This quote from Callie: “It seems absurd now, sitting here watching two broken souls repair themselves because of the way I formed a string of letters together.” This is exactly how I feel about books. I get completely amazed by what all the authors are able to write...the stories that come from their heads.This book had a lot of letters but it really opens up a severe mental health issue!!

I could not have loved it more!!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.