A Million Miles Away
Author: Lara Avery
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Poppy
Summary:
When high school senior Kelsey’s identical twin sister, Michelle, dies in a car crash, Kelsey is left without her other half. The only person who doesn’t know about the tragedy is Michelle’s boyfriend, Peter, recently deployed to Afghanistan. But when Kelsey finally connects with Peter online, she can’t bear to tell him the truth. Active duty has taken its toll, and Peter, thinking that Kelsey is Michelle, says that seeing her is the one thing keeping him alive. Caught up in the moment, Kelsey has no choice: She lets Peter believe that she is her sister.
As Kelsey keeps up the act – corresponding with Peter through e-mails, video chats, and handwritten letters – she crosses the line from pretend to real. Soon, Kelsey can’t deny that she’s falling, hard, for the one boy she shouldn’t want.
First Sentence: “Cops?”
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:
When I first read the summary of A Million Miles Away, it reminded me of one of Lisa Kleypas’ fabulous adult books, Love In the Afternoon. I really enjoyed reading Love In the Afternoon – it is one of my favorite adult books – and was hoping would be similar to Love In the Afternoon since it has a similar “you’re not falling in love with the person you think you are falling in love with” plot. In the end, A Million Miles Away sadly wasn’t as strong as Love In the Afternoon was.
Her mother took a second to answer, the shape of her body so small in the door, next to the policeman. “Yes,” she said.
Kelsey’s dad reached for his daughter, found her hand.
“You may want to take a seat. There’s been an accident.” (ARC 27)
Right from the very first page, the writing for A Million Miles Away was a bit awkward, jumbled, and confusing (as in the sentences were so long and all over the place). As I read on, the writing of the book eventually smoothed out, but was never engaging. It was hard for me to connect with anything that was happening because of the writing – I always felt detached from the characters even though I would usually smile wistfully or be angry over what was happening. I think a part of the reason why I felt that way was because A Million Miles Away is a packaged book.
“Good luck, Peter.”
He flashed a grateful smile toward her, drifting toward the front door.
Inside her room, Kelsey lay back down beside Davis, bringing him to her, smelling like sleep. She hoped this Peter thing would work out for her sister.
Michelle should be so lucky, Kelsey thought. She really should. (ARC 19)
I was worried that A Million Miles Away wouldn’t be quite believable, that it wouldn’t pull off Kelsey taking over Michelle’s place realistically. I am happy to report that everything that had happened in A Million Miles Away was quite believable and that I didn’t spot any plot holes. However, the ending of A Million Miles Away was a bit too happily ever after for it to be realistic. I can’t explain it anymore because of things called spoilers, but people who have read A Million Miles Away would most likely agree with me about the ending.
Overall, there’s sadly not much to say about A Million Miles Away. If you’re looking for a book that might tug on your heartstrings and make you tear up, A Million Miles Away is the book for you.
This looks really good. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the review.
Sue Holmes recently posted…Winter’s Crown by Alexandra Little – YA Book Review
Your review made me much more confident in the book. I was having a few doubts–especially on the believe-ability (so not a word!) factor. Awesome review, Kelly!
Jackie @ No Bent Spines recently posted…Happy Birthday to Me + #Giveaway for You! INTL
I don’t think this book is for me, just because I don’t like the writing style from the quotes you’ve posted. I suppose you said it gets better, but I don’t like that the referents are so off. Story-wise, a super happy ending is definitely not what I’m looking for either. Thanks for the review, and I’m glad you enjoyed this one! I just don’t think it will work for me.
P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex recently posted…A Letter About My Journal
Aw, this sounds like such a cute read! I haven’t read anything by this author, so maybe I might enjoy the writing style more since I don’t have any previous work to compare it too. I’m curious to see how well Kelsey can pull off being Michelle. I’m friends with twins, and they have switched places a couple times for classes and such just to see if their teachers noticed, but that was for a class or a day. Not for months or years. Great review!
Meredith @ A Book Lover’s Corner recently posted…The Body in the Woods by April Henry Review!
The theme of the book sounds nice but the quotes didn’t really do it for me, overall I think this review made me want to read Love In the Afternoon, which sounds delightful :)
I actually have never heard about A Million Miles Away by Lara Avery, like ever. Where was I when this book was announced?! Haha ^^ Maybe the reason why A Million Miles Away wasn’t as strong as Love In The Afternoon was because of the genre difference? Since AMMA is YA and LITA is Adult…? If not I’m not sure why…and what do you mean about this book being packaged? I can only guess you meant it’s full of unnecessary things, like fillers? I don’t think I’ll be reading this one anytime soon. It doesn’t sound like a book I’m into reading right now…
Hmm . . . this sounds like one I may want to just skip. :)
Cynthia recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Most Anticipated Releases of 2015
What do you mean by “packaged”? anyways, Love In the Afternoon is a different genre. But still too bad this didn’t work out too well for you. Like you said maybe others will love it.
I totally agree about the ending. The lack of consequences was surprising considering where the author took the story. Great review!!
Maria Angelica recently posted…Book Haul do BEA | Vamos Ler
I didn’t think from the synopsis that this one would be my type of read, and reading your review pretty much confirms it. Can’t win em all, I suppose!
I’m definitely intrigued by this book. I haven’t really heard much about it, but I might have to check it out. (:
Gabriella M. recently posted…The Pact Review
Thanks for the review. I don’t read many contemporaries but this one seemed promising. Maybe I will add it to my TBR pile.
I was intrigued by this book when I first read the description, but since have read quite a few not so good reviews which has put me off it slightly.
I don’t know how I would feel about the relationship between Kelsey and Peter. If they ended up together in the end then I don’t think I would like it because it would just seem too convenient, but then if I spend the whole book routing for them then for the book to end with them not together would be a disappointment. I don’t think either way I would be happy with the ending. This one may be a book I get from the library when I have nothing else to read, which will probably not be for a very long time!
Hannah @ Broc’s Bookcase recently posted…Review “Because You’ll Never Meet Me” – Leah Thomas
I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy this book, but I think I’ll be skipping it. Thanks for your honest review.