Life Is Messy And Beautiful

We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler is a contemporary novel about love and loss and friendship. It is a story that goes to the edge of the abyss and survives. It was so beautifully written and has ignited and warmed my soul.

Loss is a defining moment. “Death created a black hole that sucked everything into it. Love was one of those things that got lost.” People deal with loss differently – they run and hide, they back off, they try to be invisible. “I hope someday, you let someone in.” All these traits are seen in the novel.

We all have scars. “Deep down, everyone has something ugly or dark or painful.” Some are visible, others not. We think we deserve to keep our scars on show to remind us of what we will never forget.

A group of friends seek life. They champion the different and the underdog. They help to awaken others and watch them blossom. The friendship group warms hearts and leaves the reader smiling.

There is the theme of guilt. It weighs heavy. It says ‘we deserve nothing good.’ Guilt lies to us. Guilt needs to be shed. We need to live free, forgiving the face in the mirror.

I loved We Were Beautiful. It was beautifully and sensitively written. It felt the pain and the love. It was a work of great beauty.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON

Welcome to the Blog Tour and Giveaway for We Were Beautiful by Heather Hepler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: We Were Beautiful
Author: Heather Hepler
Publisher: Blink YA
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: April 2, 2019

It’s been a year since fifteen-year-old Mia Hopkins was in the car crash that killed her older sister and left her terribly scarred. The doctors tell her she was lucky to survive. Her therapist says it will take time to heal. The police reports claim there were trace amounts of alcohol in her bloodstream. But no matter how much she tries to reconstruct the events of that fateful night, Mia’s memory is spotty at best. She’s left with accusations, rumors, and guilt so powerful it could consume her.

As the rest of Mia’s family struggles with their own grief, Mia is sent to New York City to spend the summer with a grandmother she’s never met. All Mia wants to do is hide from the world, but instead she’s stuck with a summer job in the bustling kitchens of the cafe down the street. There she meets Fig–blue-haired, friendly, and vivacious–who takes Mia under her wing. As Mia gets to know Fig and her friends–including Cooper, the artistic boy who is always on Mia’s mind–she realizes that she’s not the only one with a painful past.

Over the summer, Mia begins to learn that redemption isn’t as impossible as she once thought, but her scars inside run deep and aren’t nearly so simple to heal … especially when Mia finally pieces together her memories of the night Rachel died.

PURCHASE LINKS: goodreads | amazon | b&n | christian book | book depository

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Hepler is the author of several books for teens and tweens including the new release “We Were Beautiful”.

She loves tomato soup, fat cats, and hiking. (Not necessarily in that order.) She’s lived in East Texas, Alaska, and Death Valley. Currently she, her son, their two spoiled cats, and their ridiculously smart dog live in Downeast Maine.

She loves it when readers write to her, and she promises to write them back.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER: website | facebook | pinterest | instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(2) winners will win:

• a print copy of We Were Beautiful (US only)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 2, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 9, 2019. US Mailing addresses only, due to shipping costs. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!