‘There You’ll Find Me’ – A Beautiful YA Romance About Hope
SYNOPSIS: Eighteen-year-old Finley Sinclair has everything her heart could desire. Someday she’ll be the heiress to the Sinclair hotel branches and the fortune that comes along with it, but for now her focus is on getting through school – and nailing her musical audition after a failed first attempt. Grieving a loss, and with emotional stability slow to heal, Finley boards a plane to Ireland – the place where her brother grew close to God, and finds herself right smack dab in the middle of a Hollywood star’s location shoot. Beckett Rush is the latest teen heartthrob – he has found fame and fortune in vampire scene, and he wants Finley as his personal assistant during her stay.
What held promise to be a peaceful year of learning… letting go… and growing closer to God is turning out to be a very hectic time for one already fragile girl.
There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones: Book Review
I haven’t gotten this excited about any one author’s works since discovering the sparkling wit that is Jenny B. Jones. If any of you have read Jenny’s novels before then you’ll “get” just how much I was looking forward to her latest release. The first, and only novel I’d read by her, is Save the Date . Following the delightful RomCom that is Save the Date, I was keen to read Finley’s story rather than something with unfamiliar characters.
You may remember Finley as the little sister of Alex Sinclair, whose story we read in Save the Date. Finley is something of a rebel in Alex’s story; her life becomes mundane after the loss of one brother and being ignored by the other. In this young adult novel, Finley is a teen with troubles, given the protection her family puts on her. She is just coming off of a bad relationship and in need of a quiet, hopeful Christ-centered season.
“You can’t walk on water holding all that weight, it just makes you sink right down. Let it go.”
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At only 18, Finley is confused. This kind of genuine character portrayal makes her a complex, well written character. Despite being written in the first person (not my favorite prose), Jenny writes a compelling story. Even more so given this story is about such a young hero and heroine. Writing this genre can sometimes lend itself to be “cutesy” or too immature when the reader isn’t in the “target” range. Finley, for all her faults, is a surprisingly mature leading lady that could be a role model for any young girl in many facets of her life. Partially because she is a girl with principals, but mostly it stems from her recognition that she does have “issues” and needs healing. Her body image struggles, and the destructive behavior that results from that is a front to cover up her depression and hurt.
First impressions of Beckett suggest he is kind of a jerk, but he proves us wrong. He’s nothing less than a gentleman. Some of his morals are a little skewed yet he learns from Finley’s example and friendship, and it’s through his entrance in her life that Finley becomes a better person. As an author, Jenny spins a touching, beautiful story that is not to be missed – by anyone, whether you’re a teen or adult. Jenny captured this she struggled in a beautiful prism of reality. Finley isn’t all together, but somehow her head is on right. She takes the initiative to seek God out, to re-connect with Him, and that details a wonderful character structure. Along the way, there are comic mishaps and lovely reflections. (If I’d ever get serious about writing fiction, I’d like to think Jenny’s natural talent in writing laugh-out-loud banter would be my own inspiration.)
The relationship that blossoms between these two is perfection. I adore the way Beckett treated Finley and how she responded to him. The scenes where they explore together. and quiet moments are written with care. As the reader, we can tell that these character’s emotions and their story have been genuinely thought out and artfully plotted. Perhaps in part this is thanks to an Irish setting. That Irish brogue, as Finley meets a host of interesting natives, practically leaps off the page.
Whether you are a teenage reader or not, I’d highly recommend There You’ll Find Me. It’s heart-warming, and humorous. It’s challenging, and adventurous, but above all, it offers some insightful realistic struggles that we all may have wrestled with, and if we let it, that can – and should be, an inspiration.
There You'll Find Me – A Beautiful YA Romance About Hope. A YA book review of the Jenny B. Jones romance. #YALit #Romance #MustRead Share on XPINTEREST PIN!
ABOUT THE BOOK: There You’ll Find Me
Author: Jenny B. Jones
Publication Date: 2012
Source: Bought
Genre: Fiction; Contemporary YA Romance
Find the Book Elsewhere: Goodreads
Find the Review Elsewhere: Goodreads
Rating: ★★★★★
I'll have to look it up! Thanks for the awesome reveiw!
Like always, I enjoyed it ;)
Hope you enjoy this novel, Rebekah; it's really quite good. =)
Hey Rissi!
Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. I love your blog and am now following you!
~Bri http://briahna-burnett.blogspot.com/
Seeing that picture and comment about nail polish, and I couldn't resist. =D
Thanks for YOUR kinds words, Bri – and I hope you drop by often; I always love new followers. =)
Thanks for the review! Appreciate it and glad you enjoyed the book.
Jenny – you're welcome, and thank you for stopping by.
I meant everything I said about "There You'll Find Me," and am eagerly awaiting the announcement of your next novel. =)
LOVED this book. Definitely my favorite of hers. I'm sad that she hasn't come out with a new YA novel since then. =(
You and I both, Tessa! Jenny knows her stuff and she writes a terrific novel. :) Super anxious to learn if she has a new book to come – it has been far too long!
PS: again, my apologies for not getting your book read! It will happen. Like I said, there was a lapse between when I agreed to read Purple Moon and when I got it; in-between lots of other books happened. Sorry about that. :/ It sounds like a great read though.