Finding Willow - Book Review

Finding Willow (Freedom 0.5)
by Michelle K. Pickett

What is it about:
“Finding Willow” is the prequel to “Unspeakable,” the touching romance between Brody and Willow that explores one girl’s quiet strength to survive the unbearable weight of a family secret alone, and the love and resolve of a boy determined to help her.

Brody Victor lives life on the fringes. Moving from school to school with each transfer his mother’s job requires has taught Brody well: If there’s one thing harder than making friends, it’s saying goodbye to them. So he’s learned to close himself off. He’s a loner, and that’s how he likes it.

When his mother accepts a permanent position in Wisconsin, Brody begins to slowly open up. But old habits die hard and, for Brody, making friends doesn’t come easily. That is, until he meets Annabelle. Brody loses himself in her. Their connection runs deep and, for the first time, Brody truly lets someone inside. But life can be cruel. An unexpected job transfer uproots Brody from his home in Wisconsin, and Annabelle.

Vowing not to get involved with another girl after the heartbreak of losing Annabelle, Brody returns to life on the outside looking in. A loner by choice. Until he finds Willow. Friendly and beautiful, a guy can’t help but notice her, but Brody notices more than her beauty. When she flashes her full smile, a spark is missing from her hazel eyes and for reasons unknown to him, Brody needs to find the reason.

Along the way, he stumbles across a secret bigger than both of them.

What did I think of it:
I read Unspeakable and although it is a very good and beautiful story, it was also a difficult story for me, because of the subject. This novella takes place largely before the events in Unspeakable and gives insight into Brody, the male lead of Unspeakable.

And I'm glad I read this novella, because it's very enjoyable.

Brody is a nice guy, with a past that explains why he has difficulties to connect with others. The romance between him and Annabelle is really sweet, and it makes me like Brody even more than the events in Unspeakable already made me like him.

If you like Contemporary Young Adult Romance that also deals with heavier subjects, I can advice you to pick up this free novella to see if you like Pickett's style and to get to know Brody a bit. Then pick up Unspeakable to read Willow's story.

Why should you read it:
It's a really enjoyable and sweet Contemporary YA read


Get this novella here