Far From You
Author: Tess Sharpe
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Summary:
The first time, she’s fourteen, and escapes a near-fatal car accident with scars, a bum leg, and an addiction to Oxy that’ll take years to kick.
The second time, she’s seventeen, and it’s no accident. Sophie and her best friend Mina are confronted by a masked man in the woods. Sophie survives, but Mina is not so lucky. When the cops deem Mina’s murder a drug deal gone wrong, casting partial blame on Sophie, no one will believe the truth: Sophie has been clean for months, and it was Mina who led her into the woods that night for a meeting shrouded in mystery.
After a forced stint in rehab, Sophie returns home to a chilly new reality. Mina’s brother won’t speak to her, her parents fear she’ll relapse, old friends have become enemies, and Sophie has to learn how to live without her other half. To make matters worse, no one is looking in the right places and Sophie must search for Mina’s murderer on her own. But with every step, Sophie comes closer to revealing all: about herself, about Mina and about the secret they shared.
First Sentence: It doesn’t start here.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
Before I received Far From You for review, I have never heard of it. I’m sad to say that before then, Far From You had never showed up on my radar at all. However, I am so glad that Disney-Hyperion sent me an ARC of it because of one word: murder! For those of you who do not know me well, I am obsessed with books, documentaries, and television shows that focus on murder and serial killers and mysteries and all that bloody stuff in general. Far From You sounded like something I would love and in the end, I found myself really enjoying it.
I never expected this because it wasn’t mentioned anywhere in the summary, but Far From You has a LGBT theme that plays a huge role in the book. I can’t say anything more than that because of spoilers and all, but I thought I should at least mention it because I know that people who want to read more books revolving around LGBT people would like to know that Far From You has a LGBT theme.
But this is the thing about struggling out of that hole you’ve put yourself in: the higher you climb, the farther you have to fall. (ARC 77)
There is also a love triangle in Far From You that revolves around the LGBT theme that I have mentioned above, but unlike most love triangles, this isn’t a love triangle where the characters are deciding who do I like/love more? Is it him, the guy who is nice and sweet or is it him, the guy who is dark and dangerous? (I can name at least five books at the top of my head that contains love triangles like that.) What makes the love triangle in Far From You not annoying was that the people in the love triangle already know where their heart is at. There is no switching back and forth, trying to decide between two or more people – they already know who they like and want.
Far From You loves to play around with your emotions, especially when it involves “the secret [Sophie and Mina] shared” (taken from the summary of the book). Far From You had me raging at one character at one moment and tearing up the next. It had me questioning the world and people in general, wondering why certain people do certain things. I can guarantee you that if you read Far From You, it will play with your emotions and will make you feel.
It’s like a roller coaster, the dip and slide searing through me, going straight to my head…Anything to erase her from me.
But some marks, they don’t fade. No matter what. (ARC 145)
There is this small problem I had with Far From You though; I’m not really satisfied with how the murder portion of Far From You was executed. When I read mystery books about murders, I prefer the author to give us little clues throughout the book to help us readers figure out who the murderer is. However, in Far From You, the reveal just happened. Tess Sharpe didn’t give us any small clues to help figure out who did it before the big reveal; she just revealed it, which lacks the big “umph” that the book could have gave.
The ending of Far From You tried to destroy me, specifically the last three chapters. Those chapters were just so sad, so bittersweet, and so touching. I felt like I was in Sophie’s position, experiencing the same things that she had to go through – the distrust, the guilt, and all the sorrow. I had to remind myself constantly to not cry, repeating to myself do not cry Kelly, do NOT cry. I’ll leave you guys wondering if I did cry while reading the ending or not.
Overall, I definitely recommend Far From You, especially if you’re interested in reading books about murder and books that contain LGBT relationships.
I have this one and started it but haven’t picked it up in weeks. Not because I wasn’t interested just had other things I needed to read first. this isn’t really my type of book but I was enjoying the first bit I read and seeing you give it a high rating makes me very happy. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did :-)
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Review of Dark Eden by Chris Beckett
I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did too Kristen! Wait until you get to the rest of the book. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
This looks so good! I am adding it to my to-read shelf right now. Thanks for the review :-)
No problem – I hope you’ll enjoy this one if you ever decide to read it Sue! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
I have this for review on my kindle and now I can’t wait to get to it! It sounds like it was really interesting and somehting I will enjoy since I also love books/shows/documentaries that deal with Murders =)
Emily @ Falling for YA recently posted…Ringer by CJ Duggan
Yay, another fellow books/shows/documentaries that deal with murders loving fan! -high fives-
And if you like the above, then you’ll definitely like Far From You. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
I have the exact same opinion about the big murder reveal – I was still shocked, but I didn’t see it coming at all. It was more of a “no way??” moment rather than a “IT WAS THEM??” kind of thing.
And those last few chapters… My heart still breaks </3 But it was so perfectly bittersweet!
Kayla @ The Thousand Lives recently posted…Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Exactly – it just happened out of nowhere. There was no hints, clues, nada. ):
Yes! Every time I reread the ending, I can feel myself tearing up all over again. Poor everyone. D:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
I am so excited to read this one and know I am even more interested with the complex relationship situations!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Missie recently posted…Review of These Broken Stars
Ohh, wait until you get deep into it Missie. Your eyes will pop out and your head will explode. Figuratively of course. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
I’m so glad you approve this book!!! I featured it in my WoW awhile ago and have been eagerly anticipating its release! I love murder mysteries, which largely accounts for why I found this book in the first place. So it is definitely disappointing that the author didn’t give any clues for us to make our own speculations, but I guess as long as they are intelligently constructed I would probably still enjoy it. Thanks for the review Kelly :) Can’t wait to read this!
Angel (Spare Reads) recently posted…Review: Queen of Hearts (Queen of Hearts Saga, #1)
I need to find more books about murder – I too am in love with them! I just don’t know where to look to find them. :P
Although the author didn’t give us any clues to make our own speculations, the book was intelligently constructed. I couldn’t help but be disappointed with that aspect anyways. :l
Thanks Angel! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
I’ve sen relatively great reviews sofar for this one, so I’m definitely excited for this one. I feel like the whole LGBT theme seems really unique, although I’m sorry the murder concept wasn’t as good for you :( Glad you enjoyed it overall, though! <33
Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain recently posted…The Last Forever by Deb Caletti
The LGBT concept is definitely unique and I’m happy about that!
I hope you’ll also enjoy this one Eileen! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
Apart from the not-so-good mystery/thriller aspect, this book sounds fantastic! I had no idea there was an LGBT theme to it (although then again, I hadn’t even read the blurb lol. Just added it to my TBR because the cover looked cool and I’d seen a few good reviews). It sounds incredibly feels-inducing as well! You’ve just made me a lot more excited to read this book :D
Nara recently posted…Quiz: Genre Conundrum
AHHH, I want to go deeper into the LGBT aspect, but then SPOILERS. Just read this one so we can flail and talk about it together Nara! -tapes mouth shut-
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! You have convinced me! I’ve seen this one around a lot and I did request it but got declined. I think I’m going to read it anyway! Especially since it’s LGBT Month. Which you should join. ;) You’ve pretty much filled all the requirements with just this book review so I’d love to have you on board! Happy reading!
Aww, sorry you got declined Laura, but the bright side is, the book will be on bookshelves on Tuesday! ;D
Ohh, I’ll have to check out this “LGBT Month” event you’re talking about.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
I’m looking forward to read this book! I’m so intrigued and the cover is so pretty.
Wait until you get to the ending of the book – then you’ll REALLY understand why the cover is those lights. (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [74]
I’ve been eyeing this one for awhile. The story sounds really impressive and when it involves murder, LGBT and love triangle I know I can expect something mind-blowing. My last amazing read that was similar to this was Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas and after that book I am a wreck. I really hope that this story will be good too, because recently I had a pretty awful YA reading experience -_-
Ohh, Dangerous Girls! One of my friends is OBSESSED with that book. I guess I’ll have to check that one out soon. :P
And don’t worry, Far From You is goood! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Curtsies & Conspiracies – Gail Carriger
Even though crying is NOT my favorite, this sound like exactly the kind of YA contemporary I’d actually like. I’m not a huge reader of murder mysteries, so the absence of clues probably won’t bother me, and the rest of it sounds fantastic. Excellent review, Kelly!
Jessica @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Ha ha, I don’t like crying either, but I do like the fact that the book has to be REALLY good to make you cry. ;D
Thanks Jessica! (:
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Curtsies & Conspiracies – Gail Carriger
I’ve never read a book with LGBT themes in it, but I’m thinking that Far From You should be my first one. And I think it’s weird how they don’t mention that in the synopsis. Before reading your review, I thought that this book was all contemporary and mystery. Not that knowing it contained that subject would deter me from reading the book. I just wouldn’t be happy being surprised about it midway through the book. I’m glad you told us though! One of the reasons this book caught my attention in the first place was because the cover reminded me so much of C. Desir’s book. And the synopsis sounded really interesting as well. Now I’m psyched to get my own copy! :D
Ahhh, I want to answer your statement/question, but it’ll be a spoiler, so…. :P
When you read Far From You, you’ll know what I mean.
I’ve never heard of C. Desir before. I’ll have to check out her books.
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Curtsies & Conspiracies – Gail Carriger
I’m glad I’m not the only one who is fascinated by serial killers. This book has been on my TBR for a while, but I’m bumping it up the list now.
I’ll just go ahead and let you know that I did, in fact cry. This book was just beautiful.
Jess @ Such A Novel Idea recently posted…Blog Tour — Tease by Amanda Maciel
I’ve had this one on my TBR list for a while. I really need to get it. I also really enjoy books that focus on serial killers (what does that say about us? Yikes). I didn’t know that it had an LGBT theme to it, so that’ll be really cool. I love books with diversity! Everything I have seen about this book has been great, so I can’t wait to check it out.
Great review!
Stefani @ Caught Read Handed recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: book covers I’d frame
Ahhhh that’s so cool that they handled LGBT themes well in this book. I might give this one a go.
Murder mystery type novels aren’t usually my thing, but I’ll be putting this on my TBR for sure, it sounds really interesting! I hadn’t heard of it until this review!
I think this is the first book I’ve seen you rate higher than 3 watermelons for. I’m really glad you liked it and will be sure to pick it up the moment I get some free time.
Chanpreet recently posted…Review: American Honey by Nancy Scrofano