Reviewed by whisperingchapters on
I hadn't even finished reading this book when it made it to my 2015 favorites without a second thought! I thought Kaleidoscope Hearts was amazing but this?! BLEW ME AWAY! Half the time I was trying not to cry and the other half I was aw'ing a lot. I think I exceeded my limit of saying "aw". I made 29 highlights in this book. That's probably the most I've highlighted in my life. There's even a long paragraph included in those highlights because this book was life... This book IS life. Let me try to explain why I loved this book so much but seriously, you HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK! For you to feel everything I felt while reading this wonderful book, you have to buy this book as soon as it comes out because you will not regret it. Jensen will have you falling in love with his words, his story... Just everything. This second-chance romance has made me feel what I haven't felt with others. It's been hours since I read this book and just writing this paragraph it's making me want to cry because this book is safely tucked in my heart forever.
Jensen and Mia have known each other since they were young—they were best friends. Both fell in love but Jensen had to go away to college. While in college, he made a mistake that left Mia extremely heart-broken and she walked out of his life. Years later, Mia gets a temporary job where Jensen works and they see each other again. Their feelings arise stronger than ever and they now have the opportunity to try again. But Mia is still very broken over the mistake Jensen made and it's going to take a lot for Mia to forgive someone who shattered her heart into tiny pieces.
She walked to the door and looked back at me one last time, her eyes trailing all over my face and down my body, and I just knew this was goodbye. I don't know why I expected anything more.*
ensen is not perfect. He made a huge mistake that even broke me but I forgave him quickly. I probably wouldn't have forgiven him so fast if it had happened to me but we get to read his column in the newspaper and he is so vulnerable with his words and so open about his love life and "the girl who got away" that I couldn't help but love him. The moments he spends with Mia are so magical. He gives her everything that he is, he shows how vulnerable he truly is so she can see he is deeply sorry wants a second chance. All the while, he is so devoted to her and romantic towards her. He really gives her his all.
“Some say I loved her to the point of madness, bordering on obsession […] Perhaps they’re all right. Perhaps I am mad. And if that’s the case, to be frank, I don’t give a damn. What I know is that she sets me on fire […] you'd see the trails of blaze she left behind. [...] I’d rather live my life in flames than be numb without her.”*
I loved Mia's character. Even though her heart's been shattered, she continues to live. Does she have her weak moments? Absolutely, but she doesn't stay home moping around all day and night. She spends time with family, friends and goes to work. I do have to admit there came a point where I got frustrated with Mia—it was near the end of the book. I know Jensen broke her heart but she constantly would break his even when he was putting everything on the line for her. I do understand where she's coming from but I was still upset because the guy was really trying and giving it his all for her.
What I don't understand is fighting for somebody time and time again, and proving that you'll be there no matter what, and having them give up. Just like that.*
Before reading this story, I read it's prequel Torn Hearts and I knew I was in for heart-ache and tears with those only 8 chapters. Paper Hearts started right where Torn Hearts left off so I'm glad I read these two books one after the other. This book is a second-chance romance like no other. It will have you laughing at some quotes these characters come up with but mostly, it will leave you breathless, wanting more of this beautiful story that I can't seem to get enough of. Claire's writing in this story was magical. There're no other words for how wonderfully written this story is. The pacing and the dialogue was near perfection. I mostly loved Jensen. He is a writer and his words seem to come to life. If a man like him talks to me like that, I'd probably become pudding at his feet.
"And I say to you, Mia Bennett—my photographer, my eyes, the girl of my dreams, the villain in my nightmares—that everything I owe, I owe to the night you let me look into your eyes and see the possibilities the world had to offer."*
I mean, when a man talks to you like that, you'd probably melt as well. This is a very well-written compelling story. One that will break your heart into pieces but it will slowly mend it as you go through these characters' journeys. I will never forget this story. I never forgot about Kaleidoscope Hearts so I'm sure I will NEVER forget this story that meant so much to me. It really is a 2015 favorite.
"Real love stories never end."*
*Quotes taken from advanced copy which may not end up in final copy.*
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 7 September, 2015: Finished reading
- 7 September, 2015: Reviewed