Book Review: Becoming Bryn by Angela Carling

Title: Becoming Bryn
Author: Angela Carling
Publisher: Acacia Publishing
Publication Date: June 15, 2013

Synopsis: For months, Jesse has been envious of her twin sister Bryn and even has a crush on Bryn’s gorgeous, popular boyfriend, Quinton. When Jesse awakens from a coma to learn that everyone thinks she IS Bryn, the option of actually taking over her sister’s life is beyond tempting, but there’s a downside. She’d have to give up Ethan, her best friend and the only person she trusts. Could she actually live as Bryn for the rest of her life? And if her family and friends found out, would they ever forgive her?

Review: I don't..... I don't even know what to say. I am literally writing this review at 3:33 in the morning after staying up all night to finish this book in one sitting. My heart has been ripped out, shredded up, and then shoved back into my chest. This book frustrated me so freakin' much! I can't tell you how many times I wanted to reach into the book and shake some sense into Jesse! (I could literally feel my hands clenching at times, you guys!) But this journey, no matter how painful and stupid of a decision it was for Jesse, was the most eye-opening, inspiring, and meaningful one I've ever been on. This is a one-of-a-kind story. A diamond in the rough. Not many books can literally make my stomach cramp up with nerves as I wait to see what will become of these very human characters who happen to make some monumental mistakes (I can't explain how fine a line it was between hating Jesse for what she was doing to actually understanding where she was coming from). You get to see how great a person Bryn truly was even though she made her fair share of mistakes as well, and I really loved getting a glimpse of what happens in the after. Ethan was just... *sigh*. And Anna? Absolutely angelically adorable. Summer was a ray of sunshine. But to top all of this off, I can't tell you how unprepared and taken off-guard I was by this book! The synopsis made it sound like it would a quick, light-hearted, fun little read. And the cover reinforced that idea by being light and cute. Then you start reading and..... BAM! Feels to the thousandth degree. This book needs to come with some kind of warning about the emotions you will go through. But I cannot recommend this story enough. Seriously. You need to read it. It just completely blew me away. I don't even know if I can give it a star rating! It's so beyond all that. All I can do is try to convey the enormity of this book. It has so many life lessons packed into it and all of them completely relevant to everyday life. It was just.... truly beautiful. That's all I can really say. And Angela Caring- thank you so much for contacting me about reviewing this book! Without you bringing your lovely story to my attention I might have gone through life without ever having read it; and what a tragedy that would have been. <3

Rating: 5/5 Stars

-Kristen ♥

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