Hey everyone, hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Today I'm happy to be hosting Kimberly Russell's, The Truth About Lilly Barnes! I want to thank Lightning Book Promotions for letting me participate and Kimberly for providing a Review Copy of her novel and for writing a great Guest Post for all of you and I must say...that it has to do with Films, yes! Below you will see a great Giveaway so be sure to check that out!
Anyways, please do read down below, and click the link that is provided at the end, as you will then be directed to the Main Tour Schedule. There you will see future Reviews/Excerpts/Guest Posts!! All right, thank you so much for stopping by! :)
What some have said about this novel:
"Lilly, the main character, was raw. It gave me shivers how much I could relate to her on a personal basis. Her character manages to put humour even when she's starting to kill herself. She has this lonely feel to her, and rather than feeling pity, I relate to her. I think, "I would do the same thing in her situation." ~Reading with a Broken Heart
"I was obsessed with finding out "the truth" from the second I started reading this book. I loved it. I had the pleasure of reading it before others....I am fortunate enough to call the author my friend, but friend or not, I am honest in my assessment of this book- it was amazing!" ~Jenn, goodreads review
Book Description
“Today is the day it is going to happen. I’m not melancholy or nervous. I just want to get it over with more than anything. Today is the day that I, Lilly Barnes, die.”
Lilly Barnes doesn't want to live anymore. She is prepared to leave her life, family, and more importantly, her best friend Buddy behind for good. But, why? What could be so horrible that it makes a young girl want to end her life? Find out in The Truth about Lilly Barnes.
Lilly Barnes doesn't want to live anymore. She is prepared to leave her life, family, and more importantly, her best friend Buddy behind for good. But, why? What could be so horrible that it makes a young girl want to end her life? Find out in The Truth about Lilly Barnes.
*Guest Post*
First of all, thank you Marissa for having me on your blog! I am in love with the idea of combining film and books on the same blog; I think the roles they both play in our lives are so interchangeable. :)
In my book, The Truth about Lilly Barnes, the main character is having a really hard time, and that is putting it lightly. Lilly really doesn’t want to live anymore and through background stories, therapy sessions and her opening up you find out why. I hope that you will root for her as I did, I really think she’s worth it.
I thought in this guest post I would list my top 5 favorite films that deal with the subject of suicide. Some are from different decades with varying outcomes. I hope you check out the ones you haven’t seen yet. :)
1. According to Greta – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1059925/ (Hilary Duff in what I think is her best work.)
3. It’s Kind of a Funny Story – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804497/ (They managed to make the viewer laugh in tough circumstances.)
4. The Virgin Suicides - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159097/ (Are you on Tumblr? This film is uber popular on there.)
Thanks, again Marissa for having me!
Review
From the book description, I can already see and thought that this was most likely going to be an emotional, pulling type read. Even before I read the first page, I felt for Lilly...
This story starts out with Lilly, a 17 year old girl, who attempts to end her life, and does she actually go with it? Well, she ends up going to a facility, I suppose an institution, to get better, and Lilly will have a difficult time of opening up, telling her story, her truth on why she wanted to kill herself, but does she go through it? She has never opened up her raw feelings, a deep secret, to anyone, not even to her best friend, Buddy, whose a sweetheart, a friend you perhaps wish to have. And it does not help that she has a hectic family or can you even call it a family? She has a Father that abandoned her, a Mother that Lilly thinks does not care for her or perhaps anything, but her love of drinking, and Lilly has a Step Father that she tries to avoid as much as possible. Ultimately, can Lilly go through with this treatment as if she does get better and all, who will she go home to? Does she even have the strength anymore to fight an internal battle within herself? Well, you will have to read for yourself and find out...
I think Lilly's situation, as I was reading the story, was just heart tugging and there were some personal relatable traits I found I had with Lilly. As I have mentioned before, I do in ways like to connect with the characters, and here and there, throughout the story, there were some things I felt I connected with Lilly. To me, this was a really good story, and one I found myself I could not put down. This is Lilly's journey to her ultimate truth, on wanting to take her life. I found and know that the issue of opening up is difficult, something hard to handle. That keeping something inside of you is the best thing, but it's hurting you even more, and for Lilly, it's best for her to open up, to open up her soul, to tell her full story on why she wanted to do something unchangeable.
At some point in the story, there's a situation revealed that made me say out loud, 'Oh Snap!', very true by the way. I guess it's something that I was not expecting, I mean it could have been a possibility, but as it is being explained, it was just sorta surprising! The situation is a truth that is hard to even write, but it's something or some things that can never be taken back, and again I felt for Lilly.
I liked that there were two POVs, Lilly's primarily, but glad Buddy's voice was read; he was a great developed character, and saw how he and Lilly just have this great friendship that can never be broken when it could have been. There was a good pace; really nice writing, that had a great flow. I will definitely be reading more of this Author's work in the future. Ultimately, this is a story that I feel must be read as you will find great and important messages :)
My Rating: 4.4/5
I say a little bit of a stronger PG-13 Rating
Author Bio
I'm obsessed with all things Jane Austen. I read a lot of YA but my all-time favorite is a cozy mystery. As far as teen books go I really love Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Dessen, Sara Zara, and Ann Brashares. As far as adult books go I love Sidney Sheldon (he will always have my heart), Stephen King, Sophie Kinsella, and Charlaine Harris.
When I'm not reading or writing I enjoy spending time with my husband, baking, and finding ways to meet Jimmy Fallon. Currently has two novels for sale The Truth about Lilly Barnes andBetween Balloons. Currently working on her third novel The Adoration of Emma Wylde.
Her Links
*Giveaway*
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Marissa, thanks for posting today. Stormi~Lighting Book Promotions.
ReplyDeleteI loved putting together this post, thanks for letting me participate! :)
DeleteMarissa, I did not feel the way you did while reading "The Truth About Lilly Barnes", but I'm really glad you enjoyed the novel! That was a unique guest post and a wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteJust following the tour :)
Ana @ BookSpark
Thanks! I'm glad you stopped by today :)
DeleteThis book sounds good. Thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteI hope you read this novel!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway- the book sounds interesting. I am curious to read more about Lilly Barnes. ~ Jess
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I hope you do read it :)
DeleteThis book sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great story :)
DeleteHate to admit it, but I'm not familiar with any of the films listed in the post. But, the book sounds interesting. I would definitely enjoy reading that.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do! And the film I've seen from the list above is the Indie film: The Virgin Suicides. Watched it for a film class, but the others look like ones to perhaps view!
DeleteVery nice interview and review of this book. Sounds like something I'd like to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hope you do read it :)
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