I participated in a Blogger Scavenger Hunt where I earned some pretty cool badges while reading the Emi Lost & Found series. It was SUPER fun!! You see, I'm a dork that enjoys these types of games and I looked forward to getting the next badge and the next one and the next one.... and so on. Until I earned the very last badge, and now I'm sad it's over. *sniff sniff*
I gifted the books to Bethany so she will also be reading them.... I'm SO looking forward to her reaction. We have this bet going on where she THINKS she won't cry, but I KNOW she will ;) *evil laugh*
xx
- Ly
The following reviews will be quite different than my usual reviews. They will be, as always, spoiler-free, BUT in this case, there's really A LOT I simply CAN'T say so they will seem very vague...
This will mainly be for the review for the Emi Lost & Found series, not so much the prequel.
(Emi Lost & Found, Novella .05)
Synopsis:
In December of 1994, when she was a junior in high school, Emi Hennigan discovered her father's infidelity. Forced to transfer schools mid-year, she wasn't trying to make new friends. In that same month, sophomore Nate Wilson's girlfriend broke up with him. Searching for someone to fill the void left by his first love, he meets Emi in his art class. Nate knows he wants Emi from the moment he sees her. Emi knows she needs Nate after one night together. A life-long friendship is born, and a pact is made to ensure that nothing will come between them.
*This novella is the prequel to the Emi Lost & Found series.*
Review:
5 Stars
I will start off by saying that even though the PREQUEL, Not Today, But Someday, was written AFTER the Emi Lost & Found Series was released, you should definitely read it BEFORE book one, Lost & Found. In my opinion, it will allow you to connect more with the characters. At least, that's how I feel.
"I believe you can love more than one person in a lifetime, Emi." - Nate
Nate and Emi. *sigh* Two broken kids that couldn't have found each other at a more perfect time...
Emi was dealing with the divorce of her parents, trying to adjust to all the changes in her life. While Nate, was still coping with his fair share of emotional baggage. They were just what each other needed.
Since day one, in Art class, they had an instant connection - they just clicked. Emi and Nate quickly developed a truly amazing friendship... the type that lasts a lifetime.
"You're crazy, Em."
"Then I'm perfect for your weird. I see the beginning of a long, crazy, weird friendship."
"I couldn't have said it better myself."
"You know more about me than anyone else I know."
Not Today, But Someday was phenomenally written. I absolutely LOVED Lori Otto's writing style. It was just so natural and flowed perfectly. A huge plus for me was the fact that this novella was written in dual POV - Nate and Emi's. I instantly connected with both characters and quickly fell in love with them. You get first hand how both of them feel every step of the way. Even though they make a pact to just stay friends, (in order to avoid eventually hurting each other) you just know that since practically day one, Nate wants more. So does Emi, but her parent's situation has her feeling scared and the last thing she wants is to lose that one person that makes her feel whole.... Nate.
"...patience is what will bring Emi to me, the man who will love her best...
Someday."
And so, their journey begins...
Purchase:
This is the BUNDLE. It includes the THREE books plus two short stories (both related to the series, of course). You can also purchase the three books individually.
Book 1: Lost & Found
Book 2: Time Stands Still
Book 3: Never Look Back
***The review will be of the SERIES as a WHOLE.
Synopsis:
*** I will ONLY include the synopsis for BOOK ONE. Because trust me, the less you know, the more these books will simply, take your breath away.
EMI LOST & FOUND series:
LOST AND FOUND (book one) - When artist Nate Wilson falls in love, he falls hard. The problem is, he’s only been in love once, and the girl of his affections is his best friend, Emi Hennigan. In high school, the two bonded over painful breakups, and swore off a relationship to save their friendship. Thirteen years later, Nate has had more than his share of emotionally-unfulfilling, sexual relationships with beautiful women to distract himself from his true romantic feelings.
When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes Nate away from his friend and his comfortable lifestyle, he is forced to reflect on the distinct void that Emi’s absence leaves in his life. To Nate’s surprise, Emi has a similar experience; but as the friends embark upon their journey toward happiness together, destiny reveals other plans for Emi.
LOST AND FOUND (book one) - When artist Nate Wilson falls in love, he falls hard. The problem is, he’s only been in love once, and the girl of his affections is his best friend, Emi Hennigan. In high school, the two bonded over painful breakups, and swore off a relationship to save their friendship. Thirteen years later, Nate has had more than his share of emotionally-unfulfilling, sexual relationships with beautiful women to distract himself from his true romantic feelings.
When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes Nate away from his friend and his comfortable lifestyle, he is forced to reflect on the distinct void that Emi’s absence leaves in his life. To Nate’s surprise, Emi has a similar experience; but as the friends embark upon their journey toward happiness together, destiny reveals other plans for Emi.
Review:
5 Stars
"I believe all things happen for a reason, though... and sometimes it takes a while to figure out that reason."
*DEEPEST SIGH EVER*
I had a permanent case of swollen eyes and tension head ache while reading this series. Seriously. Never in my life had a book caused me to feel SO MANY EMOTIONS at the same time. To say this was one hell of a rollercoaster, wouldn't even begin to cover it.
The writing style was just incredible. I felt like I knew these characters, like they were real and very much a part of my life. Book one, Lost & Found, is written in Nate's POV. I'm a sucker for male point of views, and Nate had me eating out of his hand. LOVED HIM!!!!!!!! aaaaaahhh!! I truly loved Nate. Book two, Time Stands Still, is written in Emi's POV, and book three, Never Look Back, is written in Jack's POV. Again, LOVED reading a book from a male POV and just like with Nate, I was a goner with Jack.
So, about these characters....
I absolutely loved Nate and Emi since the prequel and had already established a deep emotional connection with them. They both made me laugh, get angry, and just hands down, feel like I was about to have an anxiety attack! Nate made me swoon more times than I care to admit. He was just so... NATE. *sigh* He made everyone feel special and loved.
Emi... oh, Emi. My heart broke for her SO.MANY.TIMES. Especially, during book two. Lori Otto definitely put her through the ringer... in MANY, MANY, MAAAAAAANY ways.
Jack was truly AMAZING..... there are no words that can describe how much I loved his character. He was so patient and caring. He too, made me swoon A LOT.
Chris, Emi's brother, was THE best brother EVER - can't stress this enough. I loved reading about him just as much as I did about the main characters. Honestly, all the secondary characters were great - very well developed and definitely added more depth to the story. Oh, and Clara, Emi's niece, was just too darn cute!!!!!!!!! HAD to mention her.
In order to keep my promise about this being a spoiler-free review, I won't go into the plot. But I will say this....
I thought I knew what it meant to "ugly-cry".... but no. I definitely did NOT know. It wasn't until this series, that I truly found out what it meant. I cried... and cried.. and cried... I reached a point where I literally had to put down my Kindle because I could NOT take the pain I was feeling. My heart was SHATTERED into a million pieces... I felt like Lori Otto had literally put it in a blender!!!!!!! I swear, never in my life had I cried SO HARD while reading a book! NEVER.
Thankfully, by the end of the series, my heart had been slowly put back together. Just as it had been broken, it had healed through Emi's journey. The ending was BEAUTIFUL. I found myself crying, uh-gain, but this time, they were happy tears.
Even though I feel that there were a few scenes that might have been dragged out, the overall pace of this series was perfect and very realistic. Yes, your heart will break, but it will also heal. Trust me. I couldn't have asked for a better ending. Now, I'm just wondering how I will read another book while feeling hung over from the Emi Lost & Found Series. Lori Otto, I'm a HUGE FAN.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SERIES.
BUNDLE Purchase:
Individual books...
BOOK ONE:
Lost & Found
Purchase:
BOOK TWO:
Time Stands Still
Purchase:
BOOK THREE:
Never Look Back
Purchase:
Important:
For more information about the short stories and spin-offs, click here
About the Author:
Lori Otto
After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Lori Otto worked in the billboard industry for ten years. Frustrated with trying to communicate entire messages in “seven seconds or less,” she decided to leave outdoor advertising and return to her love of creative writing.
Contact:
Great Review! I LOVED this series! And I can't agree more that the less you know before starting this series the better!
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