Release Date: October 16, 2012
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Publisher
IBSN: 9781442434356
Blurb:A resonant debut novel about retreating from the world after losing everything—and the connections that force you to rejoin it.
Since the night of the crash, Wren Wells has been running away. Though she lived through the accident that killed her boyfriend Patrick, the girl she used to be didn’t survive. Instead of heading off to college as planned, Wren retreats to her father’s studio in the far-north woods of Maine. Somewhere she can be alone.
Then she meets Cal Owen. Dealing with his own troubles, Cal’s hiding out too. When the chemistry between them threatens to pull Wren from her hard-won isolation, Wren has to choose: risk opening her broken heart to the world again, or join the ghosts who haunt her.
Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNamara showed up on my doorstep quite unexpectedly and I was very excited to see it. So excited that I ignored the review books I was supposed to be reading and started this one right away. I definitely made the right choice. I think it’s going to be hard for me to express just how much I loved this book and just how beautiful it is.
Lovely, Dark and Deep is about a very damaged girl. Wren is struggling just to make it through the day. She has isolated herself deep in the icy Maine woods to escape the memories of the accident and to grieve in her own way. The pacing of the book is one of those wonderfully slow ones. Wren is so broken throughout most of the story, but we get to watch her make her new path through the world. It’s like watching someone learn to live again. Even though Wren is in this unfathomable dark place I couldn’t help but love her. Sometimes I had such a strong urge to hug her.
Wren’s relationship with Cal felt a little sudden to me at first, but it didn’t take me long to warm up to it. After I put a little more thought into it the suddenness seemed very realistic to me. They were both at rock bottom and they needed each other so much. I loved the way their problems contrasted. Wren’s were mental and Cal’s were physical, but the fit together like a puzzle piece. There were times when Cal’s actions made me so impatient, but overall I loved their connect so much.
Melancholy is a word I would use to describe Lovely, Dark and Deep, but please don’t be put off by that. The story is also hopeful and uplifting. The people that surround Wren were so incredibly warm. They were honestly some of the best secondary characters I’ve ever read. Then there’s Amy McNamara’s extraordinary writing. Her style is very unique. Evey word felt like it was thoughtfully placed and every page was infused with beauty.
Lovely, Dark and Deep is one of those stories that will stick with me for a long time to come. I can’t recommend it enough. I also want to mention that I can’t think of a better example of publishers getting a cover right. That cover captures all the feelings inside.
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So glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was brilliant & poignant
Book Angel Emma recently posted..Give-Away: Blood of the White Witch by Lacey Weatherford
I did too! So gorgeous!
So glad this was a fun surprise for you! It sounds really wonderful. Will definitely have to keep an eye out for it!
Candice @ The Grown-Up YA recently posted..Babies!!!
This sounds fantastic. I love the cover of it and I am glad that the story inside is just as beautiful.
Amy @ Book Loving Mom recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday 1-16-13
I’ve heard so many things about this one…I must get around to reading it!
molly @ wrapped up in books recently posted..Author Spotlight: José Saramago
I hope you do! It was a wonderful read.
This book has been on my radar for a little while. Like you said, it does look melancholy, but sometimes you want books like that. I think I will have to check that out.
Thanks for the review.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted..Audio Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Yep! I sometimes just crave sad books.
Gah! I need to read this soon. Your review almost made me put down Graffiti Moon and pick up my ereader.
Lovely Dark and Deep sounds like The Sea of Tranquility which was surprisingly really good.
Zemira recently posted..Book Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry
I hope you get to read it soon! It’s so incredible.
I’m looking forward to reading The Sea of Tranquility soon!
Eep, I look forward to the moment I get to read this one. Despite the fact that I’m currently trying to avoid books with such a heavy tone and a melancholy feel, I think this one sounds… lovely
Alexa Y. recently posted..The Book Thief – Markus Zusak (Review)
It really is and I think you will love it.
I have a copy of this one too, but just haven’t gotten to it yet. I absolutely love the cover. I know that’s such a silly thing, but in a world full of books with couples about to eat each other’s faces, this is just such a nice change. I love (this feels so weird to say) reading books about damaged people because I think it teaches me so much about growth. Can’t wait to read this!
Magan recently posted..Magan: Return to Me by Justina Chen
I like reading books about damaged people as well. I hope you get to read it soon. I can’t wait to see what you think of it.
I hadn’t heard of this until you mentioned it then I saw it was getting some great reviews. If my TBR wasn’t so huge I’d be all over it!
candace recently posted..Mini Reviews: Destroy Me & Roar and Liv
Happy to hear you love this one so much! I have a copy of it but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I like stories that stick with you so I think I might have to bump this up into the priority pile. Great review!
~Sara @ Forever 17 Books
So glad you enjoyed this book! Your review is lovely and it makes me want to read this book as soon as possible!
Sapir @ http://wimpyteengirl.blogspot.com
Sapir recently posted..Liebster Blog Award!!!
I really like this cover! This sounds like such a lovely book and one you can read while snuggled up during the winter. Maybe I’m just saying the latter though because of the cover, IDK. If I see this at the library next time, I’ll pick it up! Lovely review.
elena recently posted..soundtrack to your life: jodi meadows
I just went to a reading with Amy McNamara. She’s primarily a poet and wrote this book to process her own grief. After hearing from her and reading your review, this book sounds really touching, and I can’t wait to read it myself.