Wednesday 13 April 2016

ARC Review: A Walk in the Sun by Michelle Zink

A Walk in the SunA Walk in the Sun

Author: Michelle Zink
Series: -
Pages: 336
Publisher/Source: HarperTeen
Release date: 3rd May 2016

Synopsis: (Goodreads) In this Bridges of Madison County for teens, Michelle Zink weaves a magnetic tale about summer love that stays with you long after the seasons change.

Rose Darrow never wanted to spend her life working on her family’s farm. But when her family is rocked by an unexpected tragedy she has no choice but to put her plans for the future—and dreams of escaping her small town—on hold. 

Bodhi Lowell left home as a kid and hasn’t looked back. Years of working farm jobs has given him the one thing he wants most: freedom to travel without answering to anyone. He’s already looking past his job at Darrow Farm and plans on leaving in September—until he meets Rose. 

Neither Rose nor Bodhi can deny the sparks flying between them, but with the end of summer looming, they must decide if it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all....

Review: 3 out of 5 stars

Rose Darrow knows grief, having recently lost her mother; her days are filled working the family farm, any plans she had for college or travel are now on hold as her father has checked out and she is left to more or less fend for herself and keep the farm afloat with next to no help.

When Aunt Marty, who was pretty awesome, hires help – Bodhi Lowell, a farmhand with a heart-breaking yet interesting backstory things for Rose quickly start to change.

The story was written well and the main misgiving the author highlights was for Rose choosing to be happy and leave her obligations and to follow her heart or remain in a rut. I enjoyed this book but I didn’t love it, there was a morose feel to it; Rose was stubborn and held her emotions intact, I didn’t instantly like her but I felt her grief. Bodhi was an interesting character but he also fell flat; I would have liked more dialogue between them, some witty banter or some fun interactions that would lead to their eventual romance, all I really felt was the sadness.

I enjoyed the side characters, Maggie was wonderful as was Marty; there wasn’t a lot of page time with Rose’s dad and I don’t feel his issues were addressed. Will came across as a bit of an ass and I liked Lexie, Rose’s bff.

Overall, A Walk in the Sun was a quick and easy read; it didn’t completely wow me but it was enjoyable none the less.



About the author: Michelle Zink is author of the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy, A Temptation of Angels, and This Wicked Game. Her next book, Lies I Told, releases Spring 2015. 

Learn more on Michelle's blog at
www.michellezink.com. 

3 comments:

  1. That's a shame the characters felt flat, Sharon. I've tried some of her other books and felt very similarly. I don't think I'll be picking this one up.
    Lovely review!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Nick! I rated a previous book by this author fairly low as well; they just aren't for me.

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  2. It sounds like a nice and fun read, although that's too bad it fell a bit flat and that the characters weren't that likeable. I prefer the romance to focus on the happiness and banter too, it doesn't sound as interesting to read only about the sadness. I have read the Prophecy of the Sister trilogy by this author years ago, but can't remember about it anymore.

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