Actin' Up with Books: SIGNS OF LIFE by Selene Castrovilla

SIGNS OF LIFE

Rough Romance #2

by Selene Castrovilla

Expected Publication Date: June 21, 2016

Published by Last Syllable Books

Pages: 406

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis

The tables are turned with a vengeance in this tour de force love story. Nearly a year has gone by and now it’s Dorothy who is fragmented and lost, while Joey keeps the promise he had made her to better himself—even though she’s gone. Joey talks about what is happening in the present while Dorothy describes what happened before— in the moments and hours after the Glock dropped. This time the stakes are even higher, as Joey forces himself to move forward while Dorothy is frozen in place. But when he learns of a devastating decision, Joey races to find her before it is too late. Truth, consequence, repercussion and modern medicine collide as pieces converge in this psychological, thrilling story, which begs the question: Can love really conquer all?

My Thoughts

MELT, the powerful first novel in the Rough Romance series, is "gripping and moving and so satisfying". It wasn't until Selene Castrovilla announced a follow-up novel that I realized that I wanted more of the Joey and Dorothy's story. I began to wonder where she would take the story and I admit that it is a place that I never imagined. SIGNS OF LIFE is thought-provoking and emotionally charged and will have readers on edge until the very last sentence.

Like my experience after reading MELT, I was left in a daze after finishing SIGNS OF LIFE. My heart was broken and I experienced all the feelings. Some parts I had to fly through to discover what would happen - I couldn't read it fast enough. I definitely had to read it again and I'm positive I will continue to reread it. SIGNS OF LIFE is a book that has to be absorbed.

Memorable quotes: (I had to pick just a few because so much of the book is highlighted, seriously)

"Everything we say to people we love should make them feel good. Because it might be the last thing we get to say to them." - Joey

"But when you're raised in a situation, you see it differently. It's the way things are. It's your world." - Dorothy

"Too bad Faulkner's dead. He' be totally inspired by my story." - Joey

"The way the world is, I'm surprised there's not more people out there like us. Maybe they just hide it better." - Joey

MELT was one of my top recommended books when it was published in 2014. I couldn't stop talking about it and pushed it on all my friends and readers. A lot of them did read it, and like me, they were moved by Joey and Dorothy's story. I know that I will recommend SIGNS OF LIFE just as much, and I hope they continue to read about Joey and Dorothy. It is so worth the journey.

Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Quotes are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may differ from the final published version. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

About Selene Castrovilla

Selene Castrovilla is the award-winning author of multiple narrative nonfiction picture books and young adult novels. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons and too many cats. Visit her website: www.SeleneCastrovilla.com