Review: Learning to Live by Kira Adams

Author: Kira Adams
Series: Infinite Love
Published By: Kira Adams
Released: January 11,2015
Buy Link: Learning to Live 

Official Synopsis:
Ciera Nelson wants what any other outcast wants, invisibility. If she can just make it through the rest of her year with minor incidents and a head held low she will be able to put the hell hole they call school in her rear-view. Unfortunately, life has different plans for her.

Topher Carlson is one of the biggest jocks on campus. All the guys want to be him, all the girls want to claim him. When secrets are uncovered, Topher’s life spins wildly out of control.

They are far from friends when the school year begins, but each will impact the other’s life in ways they never dreamed possible. Can Ciera help Topher realize that popularity and status mean nothing in the real world? Can Topher help Ciera learn the true meaning of living?

Sometimes you have to let go to really live. Sometimes being alive means taking risks. 

Learning to Live is the first book in the Infinite Love series.

Review: 
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Learning to Live opens with an overview of who the book is going to be about in the perspective of each person.  In other words it is an alternating first person perspective stand alone that does not end in a cliff hangers.  Now, I know above I have listed the series the book is in, but this book does not necessarily have to be read before the second book, My Forever.  However, it is suggested as it gives you more insight to the main characters of book two.

The main point of views for this book are Ciera Nelson and Topher Carlson.  Ciera is your average, low income girl, who does not have a lot things, money, or friends, and is constantly bullied in school by the popular kids because of her looks and "weirdness".   However, Topher is her complete opposite.  He is your hands down, drop dead gorgeous, football player that every girl in school wants to be with who just happens to be dating a cheerleader that every guy wants to be with.  Topher seems to have it all and have it all together, but his home life is something that he hides from everyone.  Ciera and Topher have nothing in common or so they think!

My favorite lines from the book:
"I love how romance authors can make you feel every emotion in their books, that you feel invested in the characters. By the end of the story, you feel as if you know them on some kind of level, and you mourn the loss of them when it's over." -Kira Adams 

These lines play very true to this book. In fact the best thing about Kira Adams and her writing is that she pulls you right in from the start (I read the book in ONE sitting it was that good)!  Kira definitely makes you fall in love with some characters while she builds a love/hate feeling towards other characters.  You will absolutely love Ciera and her innocence from the start.  You will feel sorry for her, feel every emotion she feels, and end up hating those who bully her and treat her wrong.

Topher, well that is another story.  You will hate him and his group of friends...at first.  As the story plays out, Topher changes and turns over a new leaf.  His home life and his relationship with his father improves.  He breakups with his cheerleader girlfriend and gets to know Ciera.  All of this will leave you wondering why he did not make these decisions sooner.

To me, this book is an example of how some kids have to deal with bullying everyday and how these kids are afraid to speak up.  In some cases these kids never make it out of the situation; whether it be ending their lives or whatever, but in other cases, much like the situation in the book, the ones being bullied changes those who bully them.  Life gets better and everyone moves on.

This book is definitely an "ugly-cry" type of book with all the feelings, love, and lose. You will most certainly want to read this when you have a few hours to yourself as you will not want to put the book down

I give this book: 5 out of 5 stars!

Review: Pieces of Me by Kira Adams

Author: Kira Adams
Series: Book 1, The Foundation Series
Publisher: Self-Published
Released: August 11, 2014

Official Synopsis: 
For sixteen year old Peyton Lane, life has never been easy. She’s not popular, overweight, and oh yeah, her sister is embarrassed of her. But over the course of a tumultuous year, everything changes for Peyton. Suddenly all eyes are on her and it’s not because she’s fat. From a pair of handsome twins to a couple of dangerously sexy rockers, Peyton will have to find out who she can trust with her heart. From the ups and downs to the twists and turns—this is Peyton’s story of finding one’s voice and growing into your own.
This is a coming of age romance that involves realistic situations and raw emotions. This is Pieces of Me.

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed Pieces of Me!! The beginning pulled me in and left me wanting to know more because as the reader you want to know why Peyton has chosen this path in life.  The ending, when Peyton and Jace begin their senior year, was a little vague of an ending to the story, but definitely left me thinking about the characters of the story and what was next for them, not only in life, but in their relationships as well - which, in my opinion, is the best way to end a book. 

I do not know about most people, but when I am reading a book and there is something that I am unsure of, I investigate and look it up.  Such was the case with the camping trip.  When Jace started describing what the two of them would stay in, a yurt, I gathered from the text that it was like a cabin or a hut, but definitely not a tent.  So, being unsure exactly what a yurt was, I Google imaged it.  I must say, from the pictures I saw, they are beautiful and fit wonderfully into the story.

I loved how every chapter began with a poem or a song, as I too write poetry and express myself, much like Peyton, through my writing.  It gave you insight to what the next chapter was about.  When I started the first chapter the poem "Bone Breakin' (unfinished)" was definitely the best title for the poem.  I suspected the (unfinished) was not supposed to be part of the tittle, but after reading the first poem and completing the first chapter I thought it was very fitting.  Peyton attempted to end her life in the first chapter and leaving (unfinished) in the tittle made me think of it as her life was unfinished.  

The characters worked well together and the story flowed between each of them well.  The story is believable and understandable.  I could relate to Peyton, as I am sure most high school girls could as well as those who have already experienced and been through high school.  High school can be a difficult time for teenage girls, especially those who are overweight, attempting to find herself and who she truly is, family struggles, mixed emotions and signals, and eventually it all being too much and calling it quits.

I give this book: 4.5 out of 5 stars!