Reading 'Love, Aubrey' was like finding a quiet corner in a bustling library—it pulled me in gently but left a lasting mark. The book tackles heavy themes like loss and resilience through the eyes of an eleven-year-old girl, and Suzanne LaFleur does an incredible job balancing childhood innocence with profound emotional depth. Aubrey's voice feels achingly real; her grief isn't dramatized but raw and messy, which makes her journey toward healing so relatable.
What stood out to me was how the story avoids clichés. It doesn't rush to tie everything up neatly with a bow. Instead, it lingers in the awkward, painful moments—like Aubrey's strained relationship with her grandmother or her guilt over surviving when others didn't. The secondary characters, like Bridget and her family, add warmth without overshadowing Aubrey's personal growth. If you enjoy middle-grade novels that don't shy away from hard truths but still leave room for hope, this one's a gem.
If you need a book that makes you cry in the best way, 'Love, Aubrey' delivers. Aubrey's journey from isolation to connection is heartbreaking but uplifting. The details—like her lists or the way she avoids her reflection—make her pain tangible. It's a short read, but every page carries weight. Perfect for anyone who believes kids' books shouldn't talk down to their audience.
Aubrey's voice stuck with me for days after finishing this book. At first, her numbness confused me—why wasn't she crying more? But then I realized that's the point. Trauma doesn't always look dramatic; sometimes it's empty cereal bowls and silent phone calls. LaFleur nails the way kids process things differently from adults. The pacing is slow but intentional, mirroring Aubrey's gradual steps back to feeling.
What I loved most was the lack of villains. Even characters who initially seem unsympathetic (like her grandmother) reveal layers. It's a story about imperfect people trying their best, which feels refreshing. The middle-grade genre often simplifies emotions, but 'Love, Aubrey' trusts young readers to handle complexity. Pair it with 'The Thing About Jellyfish' for another nuanced take on grief.
I picked up 'Love, Aubrey' expecting a typical kids' book about overcoming adversity, but wow, it hit way harder than anticipated. Aubrey's story isn't just sad; it's real. The way she copes by talking to her dead sister or hiding in routines—it all feels so authentic. I work with kids, and I kept thinking how rare it is to see grief portrayed this honestly in children's literature. The writing isn't flowery; it's direct and sparse, which somehow makes the emotions hit deeper.
Some parts are tough to read (that scene with the goldfish wrecked me), but the book never feels exploitative. It's more about the quiet bravery of moving forward, even when you don't want to. Perfect for readers who appreciate stories like 'Bridge to Terabithia'—where the heartache has purpose.
2026-03-20 20:44:45
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"Custom demanded that Prince Urban get a love mark tattooed to the side of his left eye as an infant, just like the rest of his people, but to him, the stupid things have only brought on the scorn of his father, the misery of his siblings, and caused his entire kingdom to go broke from fighting so many wars over the irritating ink stains.
When Urban’s sister must travel to Donnelly, the kingdom within the sand, for her arranged marriage to align two realms, he goes with her. But he no sooner steps foot inside their castle than his mark starts itching like a son of a bitch, telling him his one true love is near.
It just figures, though, that the woman meant for him is completely forbidden. Now he must decide if he should ignore the persistent mark, telling him she's the one, in order to avoid a possible war between kingdoms, or if he should discover whether she's worth risking everything for so they can be together. Either way, his life gets sucked into chaos with threats of beheadings, dark magic lurking, castle traitors scheming, and sword fights eminent.
Who knew one little tattoo could cause so much trouble?
(ONE TRUE LOVE is the author’s first attempt at a fantasy romance. Please forgive her; she might’ve read an overabundance of Cassandra Gannon, Sarah J. Maas, and Eve Langlais books, then gone off to watch too many episodes of Supernatural, Game of Thrones, and Outlander, because this was the outcome.)"
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So, the king blackmails stable hand, Farrow, into accepting the mission of kidnapping Princess Nicolette and bringing her back to Far Shore to meet her gruesome fate.
With his sister’s life on the line, Farrow reluctantly accepts the quest and travels through desert and forest, only to find Nicolette eagerly awaiting his arrival with her bags already packed and good to go, spouting off insane nonsense about being his destiny and one true love.
What follows is a crazy, eclectic adventure that brings two lost souls together and helps them learn who they’re supposed to be and what they’re supposed to do in this ever-changing journey called life.
A Love Mark Fantasy Romance! Can be read with ONE TRUE LOVE."
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This is the bet she made with Brandon's stepmother—a deal she signed with complete confidence. But unfortunately, she fails every single time. Eighteen attempts, 18 failures.
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