Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books
Publication Date: February 16, 2021
Date Read: February 26, 2021
Length: 304 pages
Source: NetGalley
★★★★☆
Sparks fly between two teens as they grapple with grief, love, and the future in this unforgettable debut novel sure to entice fans of Jandy Nelson and Jennifer E. Smith
Eighteen-year-old Amelia Griffin is obsessed with the famous Orman Chronicles, written by the young and reclusive prodigy N. E. Endsley. They’re the books that brought her and her best friend Jenna together after Amelia’s father left and her family imploded. So when Amelia and Jenna get the opportunity to attend a book festival with Endsley in attendance, Amelia is ecstatic. It’s the perfect way to start off their last summer before college.
In a heartbeat, everything goes horribly wrong. When Jenna gets a chance to meet the author and Amelia doesn’t, the two have a blowout fight like they’ve never experienced. And before Amelia has a chance to mend things, Jenna is killed in a freak car accident. Grief-stricken, and without her best friend to guide her, Amelia questions everything she had planned for the future.
When a mysterious, rare edition of the Orman Chronicles arrives, Amelia is convinced that it somehow came from Jenna. Tracking the book to an obscure but enchanting bookstore in Michigan, Amelia is shocked to find herself face-to-face with the enigmatic and handsome N. E. Endsley himself, the reason for Amelia’s and Jenna’s fight and perhaps the clue to what Jenna wanted to tell her all along.
Ashley Schumacher’s devastating and beautiful debut, Amelia Unabridged, is about finding hope and strength within yourself, and maybe, just maybe, falling in love while you do it.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books via NetGalley.
About the AuthorASHLEY SCHUMACHER has a degree in creative writing from the University of North Texas. She lives in a small town with her antisocial but lovable husband and more books than is strictly necessary. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her belting Disney or Broadway songs, protecting her snacks from her greedy golden retriever, hand embroidering, or playing Mario Kart. Amelia Unabridged is her first novel. She lives in Dallas, Texas.
It's great that you found a great book like that!
Sounds really good! If you ask me, fantastical elements and a good dose of humour is always a great combo 😉
Ohhh I hope the friendship didn't suffer too badly because of a missed author meeting. This sounds like a tough read as books about grief usually are.
Beautiful use of colour on the cover. Very striking.
a book involving grief is always such a heavy book but I like that it had a good dose of humor. This sounds really interesting especially the fantastical elements that seems rooted in this "enchanting bookstore".
Amelia sure went through a lot, but I do like stories that show how the person gets past grief and finds their happy.
Wonderful review! It sounds like an emotional read.
Anne – Books of My Heart
I am so happy you enjoyed this, because I adored this book. So many feels and that ending!
So emotional, and so intriguing