Saving Amy, by S.M. Harshell is a story, as the title suggests, of a college student in need of saving. She needs saving from some physical actions as well as some emotional ones. Helping to form vivid and believable characters, Harshell provides a beautiful fluctuation in the point of view. This technique is rarely done with such ease. However, each story point is only shared as it pertains to Amy's story. In short, the perspectives to which we are privy do honor the title. The book is chock full of sexy scenes – definitely not for the prudish – and at some points using vocabulary that borders obscene. It is a quick read for a young reader. (Not under 21 yrs.) That is to say that I believe the reader to feel most connected to the characters and the trials they experience will be of a younger age: somewhere around 21-30 yrs. A mature reader can also draw from the experiences and growth if they reflect on the love of friends and the lust of bodies before their bill-paying and exhaustion. (I speak from my own experience, not as a judgment to anyone over 40 still rich with love and lust.)
Having said that about the technical bits, Saving Amy makes some twists and turns with internal and external struggles of love, lust, fear, anger, friendship, loss and compassion. The ending may not be too much of a surprise for the reader by the time the journey reaches the final chapter, but it can be likened to a right shagging on the floor. There are moments in the book that are uncomfortable with words hitting the reader as exposed nerves wanting to get on with it. There are others where the reader wants to linger a bit longer. And even more moments occur that are touching enough to have the reader sigh with relief. It seemed to me to start in slow like the accidental touch of skin, leading to a lingering stroke, followed by a whisper in the ear of something that could occur with an explosion of action, descending to the reasonable sigh of resolution.
When turning the final page, I thought the title easily could have been Saving Everyone, with the growth occurring for each character. And then after consideration, I realized that this was truly Amy's story. Perhaps Harshell will write other books in a Saving... series alluding to more details for Jess, Brandon, Ryan and even CJ. But for the story she has presented, Saving Amy is an appropriate title.
To read more with spoilers, click here...
Having said that about the technical bits, Saving Amy makes some twists and turns with internal and external struggles of love, lust, fear, anger, friendship, loss and compassion. The ending may not be too much of a surprise for the reader by the time the journey reaches the final chapter, but it can be likened to a right shagging on the floor. There are moments in the book that are uncomfortable with words hitting the reader as exposed nerves wanting to get on with it. There are others where the reader wants to linger a bit longer. And even more moments occur that are touching enough to have the reader sigh with relief. It seemed to me to start in slow like the accidental touch of skin, leading to a lingering stroke, followed by a whisper in the ear of something that could occur with an explosion of action, descending to the reasonable sigh of resolution.
When turning the final page, I thought the title easily could have been Saving Everyone, with the growth occurring for each character. And then after consideration, I realized that this was truly Amy's story. Perhaps Harshell will write other books in a Saving... series alluding to more details for Jess, Brandon, Ryan and even CJ. But for the story she has presented, Saving Amy is an appropriate title.
To read more with spoilers, click here...
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