One midsummer night. Two strangers. Three rules: No real names. No baggage. No phones. A whirlwind twenty-four-hour romance about discovering what it means to feel alive in the face of one of life’s greatest dangers: love. Who would you be if you had one night to be anyone you want? Volunteering in New Orleans was supposed to be a change, an escape from the total mess Julie left at home and from her brother’s losing battle with PTSD. But building houses surrounded by her super-clingy team leader and her way-too-chipper companions has Julie feeling more trapped than ever. And she’s had enough. In a moment of daring, Julie runs away, straight into the glitter, costumes, and chaos of the Mid-Summer Mardi Gras parade—and instantly connects with Miles, an utterly irresistible musician with a captivating smile and a complicated story of his own. And for once, Julie isn’t looking back. Together Julie and Miles decide to forget their problems and live this one night in the here and now. Wandering the night, they dance on roofs, indulge in beignets, share secrets and ghost stories under the stars, and fall in love. But when a Category Two hurricane changes course and heads straight for NOLA, their adventure takes an unexpected turn. And, suddenly, pretending everything is fine is no longer an option. Richly evocative to the heart-racing end, Even If the Sky Falls is a swoon-worthy debut to indulge in to the very last note.
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- Even If the Sky Falls
Even If the Sky Falls
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Publisher
Genre(s)
Age Range
12+
Release Date
May 10, 2016
ISBN
978-0062411808
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Editor reviews
2 reviews
Even If the Sky Falls
(Updated: February 24, 2016)
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
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Writing Style
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Julie needs to get away. So she signs up to go with her church youth group to New Orleans to help rebuild some homes. But she can't deal with the clingy leader or the over the top enthusiasm which she doesn't feel. A chance encounter has her strumble onto a Mid-Summer parade and a cute guy with blue hair. She gets swept up in the excitement and for a while she forgets the pain she left back at home. Then a hurricane changes course and no longer can she avoid what's she's been running away from.
What worked: This is a fast-paced whirlwind romance set in New Orleans. The chemistry between Miles and Julie ignites right at the start. The thrill of being caught up in a sudden romance pulls readers along for one excitement packed ride.
I loved how Garcia doesn't slam readers with the pain that Julie is running away but rather slowly reveals it. At first readers see a girl that might just be reckless and impulsive while in fact her vulnerabilities come to light as the evening drags on. Not only does Miles push Julie outside her comfort/safe zone but she also helps Miles reveal his own vulnerabilities.
Miles is cute, appealing, and very charming. He's not the stereotypical guy that takes advantage of a girl but rather one that is not only kind but caring. He balances out Julie and brings out the best in her even if it's only in one night. I know I hoped they'd continue their relationship!
The hurricane that hits New Orleans is symbolic of the turmoil that rages within Julie. When the storm breaks? That's when Julie finally comes somewhat to terms with her past.
There's so much more than romance in this novel. There's adventure, suspense, and heart-felt reveals. Lots of feels! Oh, and of course adorable Miles!
Whirlwind romance in the heart of New Orleans with characters that decide to take a chance on each other with very satisfying results.
What worked: This is a fast-paced whirlwind romance set in New Orleans. The chemistry between Miles and Julie ignites right at the start. The thrill of being caught up in a sudden romance pulls readers along for one excitement packed ride.
I loved how Garcia doesn't slam readers with the pain that Julie is running away but rather slowly reveals it. At first readers see a girl that might just be reckless and impulsive while in fact her vulnerabilities come to light as the evening drags on. Not only does Miles push Julie outside her comfort/safe zone but she also helps Miles reveal his own vulnerabilities.
Miles is cute, appealing, and very charming. He's not the stereotypical guy that takes advantage of a girl but rather one that is not only kind but caring. He balances out Julie and brings out the best in her even if it's only in one night. I know I hoped they'd continue their relationship!
The hurricane that hits New Orleans is symbolic of the turmoil that rages within Julie. When the storm breaks? That's when Julie finally comes somewhat to terms with her past.
There's so much more than romance in this novel. There's adventure, suspense, and heart-felt reveals. Lots of feels! Oh, and of course adorable Miles!
Whirlwind romance in the heart of New Orleans with characters that decide to take a chance on each other with very satisfying results.
Good Points
1. Great chemistry
2. Miles!
2. Miles!
User reviews
1 review
Overall rating
3.7
Plot
4.0(1)
Characters
3.0(1)
Writing Style
4.0(1)
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Review: Even if the Sky Falls
Overall rating
3.7
Plot
N/A
Characters
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This was a cute, quick contemporary read. The characters were quirky, the plot was fun and fast-paced, and it made me want to visit New Orleans. Julie, or Lulu as Miles and his friends called her, was someone I could empathize with even though I couldn’t imagine just taking off like she did. I liked seeing her live in the moment and be able to forget everything that sent her running in the first place, even if only for a night. The flashbacks showed the reader the relationship between Julie and her brother, her friends, her parents, and how everything unraveled to the point where she felt that leaving town was her best option. There was such a contrast between Julie, the overwhelmed sister who just wanted to help, and Lulu, who just wanted to forget everything and be free.
I really enjoyed the moments between Julie and Miles. His friends were awesome and added some hilarious moments to the night but the main focus was the developing chemistry between Julie and Miles. I liked their connection for what it was: two people who needed a night to just live and forget their baggage so they felt drawn to each other. It was done in a way that didn’t feel like insta-love even though they got pretty intense.
There was a good balance between the heavier scenes of the flashbacks and the hurricane and the lighter scenes of just having fun and being carefree. There was a bit of a mystery of what exactly happened to send Julie running to New Orleans and it was slowly revealed with each new flashback. The plot was one of those enjoyable ‘under the right circumstances this could happen to anyone’ types that provide an entertaining and quick read. It took me quite late into the night but I finished it in one sitting.
I really enjoyed the moments between Julie and Miles. His friends were awesome and added some hilarious moments to the night but the main focus was the developing chemistry between Julie and Miles. I liked their connection for what it was: two people who needed a night to just live and forget their baggage so they felt drawn to each other. It was done in a way that didn’t feel like insta-love even though they got pretty intense.
There was a good balance between the heavier scenes of the flashbacks and the hurricane and the lighter scenes of just having fun and being carefree. There was a bit of a mystery of what exactly happened to send Julie running to New Orleans and it was slowly revealed with each new flashback. The plot was one of those enjoyable ‘under the right circumstances this could happen to anyone’ types that provide an entertaining and quick read. It took me quite late into the night but I finished it in one sitting.
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