Flat-Out Celeste #Audiobook by Jessica Park

Join us in celebrating the release of the FLAT OUT CELESTE Audiobook ! I loved this book so much! You can read my review HERE to find out why. And this book inspired this #CelesteFest blog post.

FLAT OUT CELESTE Audiobook

Author: Jessica Park

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert

Release date: January 21, 2015

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.. 

For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation. 

But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.
Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him. 

Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.

About the Author:

Jessica is the author of LEFT DROWNING, the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (and the companion piece FLAT-OUT MATT), and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.

Please visit her at jessicapark.me and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicapark and Twitter @JessicaPark24

Celebrating Celeste Fest - Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park

As part of Celeste Fest, I, along with the help of my friend Holly and my husband, have recreated some memorable and favorite moments in Flat-Out Celeste. Enjoy!!

Celeste the yogini

"Did you just curtsy at someone?"

Celeste, the application coach: "We must fight the system and chase the dream."

"You ready for your first sushi?"

"Our elevator has arrived."

"That is the power of Celeste."

Magic Happening

THE BOOK THAT INSPIRED IT ALL

 FLAT-OUT CELESTE

Author: Jessica Park

Release date: May 22, 2014

Amazon | B&N 

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.. 

For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation. 

But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.
Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him. 

Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.

About the Author:

Jessica is the author of LEFT DROWNING, the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (and the companion piece FLAT-OUT MATT), and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.

Please visit her at jessicapark.me and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicapark and Twitter @JessicaPark24

Let CELESTE FEST Begin!!!

We (readers, bloggers, and Celeste fans) are super excited to share our love for Flat-Out Celeste and we hope you can join us! We have a lot of fun things planned for this! Some events we have planned include: Take Celeste around town, Dress-up Celeste, Curtsying Contest, Hot Yoga Selfies, First Kiss stories and more! 

I plan to post a few times during Celeste Fest including a giveaway for a copy of Flat-Out Celeste so make sure to look for that.

From My Review:

"Celeste (is) a memorable character who I adore so much."

"Jessica's writing - her humor and depth of characters - make this book so fantastic. I loved getting to know Celeste as a senior in high school. I found her attempts to fit in and create a new identity hilarious and entertaining, but not at the expense of the character. I can't make fun of Celeste, that girl has my heart."

 FLAT OUT CELESTE

Author: Jessica Park

Release date: May 22, 2014

Amazon | B&N 

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.. 

For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation. 

But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.
Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him. 

Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.

About the Author:

Jessica is the author of LEFT DROWNING, the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (and the companion piece FLAT-OUT MATT), and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.

Please visit her at jessicapark.me and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicapark and Twitter @JessicaPark24

Review: Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park

Flat-Out Celeste

by Jessica Park

Publication Date: May 22, 2014

Pages: 338

Source: WordSmithPublicity and Amazon

Add to Goodreads

Purchase: E-Book / Paperback

from Goodreads

For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation.

But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.

Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him.

Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.
 

My Thoughts

I became a huge fan of Jessica Park's writing with her novel, Flat-Out Love. My book club read it and raved about it. We read it over a year ago and it still comes up in our conversations time and time again. When Jessica announced that she was writing a book about Celeste, I was overwhelmed with excitement. Celeste was a memorable character who I adored so much.

Having finished the book, I am still left in a state of awe. Jessica's writing - her humor and depth of characters - make this book so fantastic. I loved getting to know Celeste as a senior in high school. I found her attempts to fit in and create a new identity hilarious and entertaining, but not at the expense of the character. I can't make fun of Celeste, that girl has my heart.

One thing that really stuck out to me was the attention that the author gave to all of Celeste's relationships. This wasn't just a story about Celeste and her potential love interest, Justin. Much emphasis was given the her relationship with her brother, Matt and her developing friendships with her classmates. We get to see Celeste navigate her world beyond her schoolwork and beyond herself. Even though this book is more than a love story, I do have to say that many of my favorite parts were the email exchanges and texts between Celeste and Justin. Celeste, with her affected speech, and Justin, with his stream of consciousness thought patterns, brought about many interesting conversations. 

The only regret that I have about reading Flat-Out Celeste was that I read it too fast. At one point I realized I'd read over 80% of the book and it was almost over. I needed to slow down and enjoy the journey I was on with Celeste and Justin. I know that I can always go back and read it again, but there is nothing more special that falling in love with a story as it unfolds word by word. 

There are so many things to love about this book, but what I loved most about the Flat-Out Celeste is the acknowledgment that:

• it's OK to be who you are
• it's OK to accept who you are, just as you are
• it's OK to love who you are, without apologies

I don't think that a reader can have too many favorite books and Flat-Out Celeste has made the list. Really, there was no doubt. Jessica has given readers something really special with this book and I will recommend it to EVERYONE! LOVED IT!!!

Disclaimer:  I received this e-ARC from Wordsmith Publicity in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. I have also purchased a copy of this title for my personal library. Thoughts and opinions are my own.