Review & Giveaway: April & Oliver by Tess Callahan

Title: April & Oliver
Author: Tess Callahan
Available: Now
Number of pages: 336
Reading level: Adult


4 out of 5 Stars

Description from Goodreads:

Best friends since childhood, the sexual tension between April and Oliver has always been palpable. Years after being completely inseparable, they become strangers, but the wildly different paths of their lives cross once again with the sudden death of April's brother. Oliver, the responsible, newly engaged law student finds himself drawn more than ever to the reckless, mystifying April - and cracks begin to appear in his carefully constructed life. Even as Oliver attempts to "save" his childhood friend from her grief, her menacing boyfriend and herself, it soon becomes apparent that Oliver has some secrets of his own--secrets he hasn't shared with anyone, even his fiancé. But April knows, and her reappearance in his life derails him. Is it really April's life that is unraveling, or is it his own? The answer awaits at the end of a downward spiral...towards salvation.


My thoughts:


April & Oliver is a dark and dysfunctional read. April is a character that is surrounded by turmoil. After a childhood that seemed to be full of more heartbreak than joy, she loses her little brother to a car accident. Devastated and teetering on the edge of sanity, April finds herself back in the life of childhood friend Oliver. Oliver has always been the epitome of perfection, and the polar opposite of reckless April.  Oliver is now engaged, but that can’t even make him ignore the connection he and April have always shared. Told with a combination of  present day moments as well as flashbacks. This is not a light read, and will definitely pull on your heartstrings.


I’ve had April & Oliver on my to be read list since its release. When given the opportunity to review a copy I jumped at the chance. I’m so glad I did. This little book was packed full of serious emotional baggage. April can’t seem to make a rational decision. She migrates from one abusive relationship to the next. Oliver spends most of his time trying to save April until he moves away for college. I had to spread this out over a longer period of time than what it usually takes met to read a book this size. It was just one of those stories that cause serious emotional overload.


I do recommend this book, but not if you’re looking for something light and fluffy. This book delves into serious issues and contains its fair share of angst. It is beautifully tragic tale of two adults still trying to find themselves.

Tess Callahan on the web:

Website | Reading Group Guide

I also have 1 copy of April & Oliver up for grabs thanks to Hachette Book Group.

Rules:

Open to resident of the U.S and Canada

Book ships directly from publisher

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Contest ends August 6th @ 11:59 PM CST

*Received from publisher in exchange for my review.