Ja citam, a ti? (Walking on Broken Glass)

Life sucks for orphans Callum Tate and Harper Bailey.

Kicked out of their foster homes because they suffer the ‘eighteen disease’ with nothing but a hundred dollar check from the government and a pat on the back, they’re forced to rely on a system that failed them miserably.

So they sit. They sit inside Social Services, waiting for their social workers to call their names and offer them the miracle they know will never come but they sit anyway because they have nowhere else to go, no other options on their very literal and figurative empty plates.

But as they sit, they notice the other. Although captivated, they each come to the conclusion that life is complicated enough without throwing in a boiling tension that can’t ever be acted upon because they’re both too busy thinking about where their next meal will come from but when their names are called and both are placed on a year long waiting list for permanent housing, suddenly relying on each other seems like a very viable plan B.

And, oh, how lovely Plan B’s can be.

Well, except for the psycho from Harper’s past that haunts her and, oh, yeah, there’s the little issue that neither of them knows they’re in love with the other.

Needless to say, Callum & Harper’s life just got a bit more complicated.

   So… I expected one of those “hard” readings that leaves you with bitternes, broken heart, tears in the eyes and healty dose of the angst against the system. But, no. This is not that book. Callum and Harper is “true american fairy tale” - it’s a sweet, naive story, you might even enjoy it. (Young girls will love it for sure!)Author has a talent when it comes to the art of written word, she knows how to crate the atmosphere and subtly express emotions. Only thing she needs to learn is that sometimes less is more, and “all is peachy in the peachyland no matter the fact that by all the logic in the world we shold be totally screwed up” isn’t always the wright approach to the subject.

I would, maybe, give this book four stars, but ending mede me change my mind - all that stuff with praying and miracles was way over the top. As I said - less is more. I do hope that her next book will be better - she is talented writer.

When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she’s the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn’t think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it…

 
    I already know what will be the biggest “don’t like” for some of the readers - ending of this novel. But that’s just what was turning point in my decision to give Amplified five stars instead of four. Author didn’t give in to the temptation of the usual happy endings - girl gets the boy, daddy and mommy are my biggest fans after all and so on… And this girl knows how to use the words and not make them pathetic and cheesy.
    I have to admit that I didn’t completely understand all those music terminology - I googled a little bit about it and Tara’s “background” - she is writing from her personal experience which is in my opinion one of the best quality in my favourite author. Yes, she goes on my fav list!:)
    One more thing - as soon as I read word Placebo and Meds, I knew she would me my kind of a girl!
    If you want to learn more about author or her books, visit her web page thetaratracks.com or the Amplified Official Book Website amplifiedthebook.com.
    I can’t wait to read Harmonic Feedback and everything she’ll write in the future.