Interrupted: Life Beyond Words

What I Loved I loved the emotions that leaped off the page. Thi

What I Loved

I loved the emotions that leaped off the page. This book made me feel. Sorry for Allie. Sorrow for her loss. Hurt for how hurt she felt. Happy-but-almost-afraid-to-feel-happy when Sam made her laugh at the beach in that first sweet scene after they're reunited and she figures out where she knows him from.

I also loved that although, yes, author Rachel Coker is seventeen years old, her style is mature. Not just for her age, either. Mature, period, in a grab-my-heart-glue-my-hands-to-this-story way.

It's evident from the first line that Allie is a strong, capable heroine. But in order to protect herself, she bars her heart against the unforgiving world and the God her mother has told her not to believe in. Her journey toward faith in others, faith in God, and faith in love is an inspiring one. The Christian message is not preachy or pushy, but woven intricately within the storyline.

The ending left me with a sigh and a smile. Sam, oh, adorable, heart-warming Sam.


What I Didn't Like As Much

The book started slowly for me. It took me a few days to read the first seventy pages or so, but from the moment Sam reenters Allie's life, the story is off like a roller coaster as she experiences smiles and sadness, the best and the bitter.


Why I Recommend This Book

The struggles of not only Allie, but for the people who surround her are so...genuine. I truly loved this story. I would recommend it for anyone who has experienced as devastating a loss as Allie's, because the author writes of the deep emotions with great grace.

Historically-accurate, Interrupted put me in that WWII era (there was even a scene set on June 7th, my birthday, that opened my eyes into how it must have felt to live through the news trickling in about the invasion of Normandy). It also put me into Allie's heart as she hurts and heals. I actually wasn't aware before I read it that it was romantic, but it is, and in a lovely way.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Um... Wow!! I think age disappears in writing, I really do. Bu

Um... Wow!!

I think age disappears in writing, I really do. But I've never read a book where I felt so completely like I was 14 again. The incredible thing about Rachel Coker is not that she has such a good grasp on youth... she is a youth!! But that her writing is so seamlessly smooth!! She has skill and perspective that make this book very unique.

On my copy there's a quote from Publisher's Weekly: "Coker is one to watch" and I have to agree 100%.

Interrupted has a somber tone. The main character, Alcyone, faces some difficult circumstances and grows hard & bitter. Her friend, Sam, is a neat character. Both of them are complicated, multi-layered. I was pretty much in awe of all the supporting cast. They are alive and vibrant.

The setting is beautiful and completely 1930 - 1940's. I could picture the lake, the ocean, the beach, the local hang-out. There was old-time chivalry, parties with dancing, cute polka dot dresses. In fact, "cute" describes the main feel of reading, rather like a (somber) flitting butterfly dancing along Ally's inner conflict.

It feels weird to close the book and find myself in the present day. The pace of life and the values of the community were very refreshing. Ally's search for God and meaning was realistic, too. I would have liked more romance, maybe. And maybe a little less time-jumping, 'cause that pulled me out of the moment, away from my connection with Ally, and left me catching up. But that just brings me around full circle to the beginning - I was just transported over seventy years back in time, where I felt completely at home. So... Wow!

My Rating: 3.5 - Worth the Time, Cute and better-than-cute.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful debut!

I really enjoyed Rachel Coker's debut novel. Allie's devotion to caring for her mother is endearing. When her mother dies, the woman who adopts Allie seems to expect a natural closeness between them. Allie digs her heels in, reserving her affection for her biological mother, and I did too initially.

The development of the relationship between Allie and Sam is heartwarming, though at times Allie was so mean to Sam, I felt sorry for him. The looming war (World War II) adds just enough pressure to their relationship and other aspects of the story.

Wonderful read. Rachel Coker is definitely an author I'll be keeping an eye on!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Mom's Choice Award Recipient!

Interrupted is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS’s Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling Author and; LeAnn Thieman, motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books. Parents and educators look for the Mom’s Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families

lacking the oomph which really makes a book great

What can I say? The story line was interesting enough to keep me engaged. It wasn’t a book I spent hours reading at night, but it also didn’t take me a month like other books. More the middle of the road type of read which kept me just interested enough to keep going. I have to say, I wasn’t overly fond of the main character. She was quite unlovable, even before her mother died. Though it was noted as a character trait, I had a difficult time understand why she steadily pushed people way… and often she had a mean streak about it. She was also quite immature at times, particularly toward the beginning of the book. The story spanned her life from about 14 to 20. However, she seemed to behave more like a 5-6 year old at times during the first part of the story. It was odd and made it difficult to connect with her. As for the story itself, I’m not really sure how to classify this one. Was it a Christian novel? It did have a Christian undertone, particularly toward the end. However, her Christian disbelief seemed to be resolved rather quickly. It really lacked the journey which I normally enjoy with Christian books. Christianity was more of a light switch for her. One moment she didn’t believe, the next she did. All of a sudden she was a better person for it. When I think of someone changing, I imagine it comes in increments. For her, it seemed she took on a completely different personality. Was it a romance? The relationship she had with her beau was fun, but so little time was spent on it that the romance lacked depth. I truly would have loved to explore more of the romance. The relationship seems to have so much potential… like they were two halves of the same whole at times. Yet the time we spent with her beau was too insignificant to really call this a true romance. Overall, this book had a lot of potential and was intriguing. However, I think this book could have offered a bit more. Did I enjoy the read? Yes. I certainly don’t think my time was wasted. But as I mentioned, it was lacking the oomph which really makes a book great. This work was provided to me by the publisher for a review.

Interrupted was one of the best books I have read recently. It

Interrupted was one of the best books I have read recently. It was such a sweet, heart-warming story with well developed characters. The writing truly made me feel the emotions the characters felt; my heart longed for Allie and Sam. Rachel Coker's writing is also very descriptive and mature, considering she is a teenage author.

I am so happy I read Interrupted. Reading it gave me a new perspective on life and I think it is a great book for any young adult. I would recommend Interrupted to anyone who loves historical fiction with a touch of romance.

A great coming of age novel! I wasn't really sure what to expec

A great coming of age novel!

I wasn't really sure what to expect of this book. I read it because I had read a review that said it was great. I am really happy that I did! This is a wonderful novel set before and during World War II. It is a coming of age novel, and one where the main character Allie, faces hardships. Will she choose to let go of her anger and bitterness and allow room in her heart to love and be loved? The story is very well written and the plot was easy to follow. I appreciated the emotions felt by Allie during the course of the book and am amazed that a fifteen year old author could express this so well in her writing! I wish there had been a bit more to the ending. I would have loved an epilogue to wrap everything up all nice and tidy. Other than that, I have no complaints. I would definitely read more books from Rachel Coker.

I received this book for free but I was under no obligation to review it.

I’m personally kind of over historical fiction so I wasn&r

I’m personally kind of over historical fiction so I wasn’t all that excited about reading this, but it was worth it. It turned out to be my favorite kind of historical fiction, the kind that’s about the characters, not the time period they live in. It was very natural. I also appreciated the take on foster care/adoption from that era. I thought Allie was a great character, but I kept reading for Sam. I felt for Allie, being uprooted from her life and all of that, but Sam is pretty swoon-worthy, not gonna lie. Allie’s struggle to stay loyal to her mother while adjusting to her new life and her own changing perceptions was the strongest part of this sweet story.

Interrupted: Life Beyond Words by Rachel Coker is an interesting

Interrupted: Life Beyond Words by Rachel Coker is an interesting historical novel. The heroine, Allie, is not exactly what you’d call likeable. She can be downright mean…even to those who are kind to her. Yet she’s been through quite a bit and for some reason, I still wanted her to be happy. I don’t know why Sam liked her so much, though :). I felt that having Allie and her mom hate Christians was a bold, unique way to start out a Christian YA novel.

Now, let me examine what I see as the downsides. The book could have been edited better since there were a few grammatical errors/typos that caught my attention. The thing that bothers me most, though, is the repeated use of “g-o-s-h”. I’m sure that Rachel didn’t mean to offend anyone but I don’t like it when authors use God’s name in vain (even if it’s the “mellow” version). Also, it’s concerning to me that Sam (apparently a Christian) was asking someone who was obviously not a Christian to marry him.

Back to what’s positive: As I was observing this new author’s writing style, something that struck me is that Rachel does a wonderful job of writing description. An example of this is “…the rolling grass engulfing me in large green pools”. Great, creative imagery!

Overall, this is a nice novel that held my attention well.

~I received this book for free from Zondervan, through Team Novel Teen, in exchange for my honest review.

"I paused and tapped my pen to my mouth. What's a descripti

"I paused and tapped my pen to my mouth. What's a descriptive word for love? I racked my brain. Adoration...affection...fondness...devotion...
I smiled and began scribbling in my notebook again. Devotion."

After thirteen-year-old Alcyone (Allie) Everly's mother passes away, she is forced to move from her home in Tennessee to the shores of Maine. Her adoptive mother, Miss Beatrice, is nice enough, but Allie is convinced that no one can replace her "real" mother. Bitterness and resentment begin to grow in Allie because of the tragedies that she's experienced. She puts a wall between her and anyone who wishes to get close, and she's convinced that true love doesn't exist.

Several years later, the past suddenly collides with the present when Sam Carroll, an old childhood friend, comes to town. Sam's arrival and the war overseas that's beginning to hit too close to home cause changes in Allie's life that force her to deal with the feelings she's held inside for so many years and to discover the truth about love and family.

Sweet...lovely...touching. Rachel Coker's debut novel is truly all of the above. Allie is a well-developed character with a poetic point of view that I loved. I could also relate with her trying to find the perfect word to describe an object or feeling ("dreamy...alluring...enthralling..."). The whole novel itself was sort of "dreamy." I felt like I was watching an old film from the forties. Only a few times was I jolted out of the past when some of the characters spoke a word or slang that sounded too modern.

I will say, that as much as I liked Allie, I wanted to shake her sometimes to snap her out of her mulish tendencies, though I did forgive her later. And Sam...I loved Sam! He was so endearing and sweet. And finally, can I just mention how gorgeous the cover is? When I received the book, I just stared at it for a little while. It's so pretty and fits the mood of the story perfectly. I have to also agree with the Publisher's Weekly quote on the front: "Coker is one to watch."

* I would like to thank the author and publisher for sending me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What I Loved I loved the emotions that leaped off the page. Thi

What I Loved

I loved the emotions that leaped off the page. This book made me feel. Sorry for Allie. Sorrow for her loss. Hurt for how hurt she felt. Happy-but-almost-afraid-to-feel-happy when Sam made her laugh at the beach in that first sweet scene after they're reunited and she figures out where she knows him from.

I also loved that although, yes, author Rachel Coker is seventeen years old, her style is mature. Not just for her age, either. Mature, period, in a grab-my-heart-glue-my-hands-to-this-story way.

It's evident from the first line that Allie is a strong, capable heroine. But in order to protect herself, she bars her heart against the unforgiving world and the God her mother has told her not to believe in. Her journey toward faith in others, faith in God, and faith in love is an inspiring one. The Christian message is not preachy or pushy, but woven intricately within the storyline.

The ending left me with a sigh and a smile. Sam, oh, adorable, heart-warming Sam.


What I Didn't Like As Much

The book started slowly for me. It took me a few days to read the first seventy pages or so, but from the moment Sam reenters Allie's life, the story is off like a roller coaster as she experiences smiles and sadness, the best and the bitter.


Why I Recommend This Book

The struggles of not only Allie, but for the people who surround her are so...genuine. I truly loved this story. I would recommend it for anyone who has experienced as devastating a loss as Allie's, because the author writes of the deep emotions with great grace.

Historically-accurate, Interrupted put me in that WWII era (there was even a scene set on June 7th, my birthday, that opened my eyes into how it must have felt to live through the news trickling in about the invasion of Normandy). It also put me into Allie's heart as she hurts and heals. I actually wasn't aware before I read it that it was romantic, but it is, and in a lovely way.

I thought that this books was absolutely phenomenal, it actually

I thought that this books was absolutely phenomenal, it actually made me cry, and it takes a lot for a book to make me cry. The author, Rachel Coker, is the same age as me and I find that as she gets older, she's only going to become a better author. I can't wait to see what other books she comes out with since I certainly enjoyed this one. I defnitely recommend that you read it.

A compelling and poignant read. My Overall Thoughts/Impressions

A compelling and poignant read.

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: First off, I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this.

I went into this novel not really knowing what to expect. I liked the cover and thought the synopsis sounded intriguing, but I hadn't heard much about it.

I was pleasantly surprised and ended up really liking this one. I enjoyed the characters Allie and Sam very much. Watching their interactions from their late childhood into their budding adult years.

This novel was very moving and beautifully written. I enjoyed seeing Allie progress and overcome the sorrows of her past. Coker wrote this novel in a beautiful manner that I absolutely adored.

This was another young adult christian fiction book. I haven't read very many of these and have fallen in love with all the ones I have read thus far. I've always enjoyed adult christian fiction, and I'm quickly beginning to love young adult fiction as well.

The novel may have moved slow in some parts, but I barely even noticed that. I was too caught up in the story to care. This is one that I definitely recommend.

In Summary: A compelling and poignant historical christian young adult novel set in the middle of Word War II. Definitely one that I recommend reading.

This is the first Historical Christian book that I have had the

This is the first Historical Christian book that I have had the chance to review. I wasn't sure what to expect when diving into its pages. I didn't know how this book was to be written, but in the end I enjoyed it.

Allies' mom, I am sorry to say, was a little crazy sometimes. Although it was sad when she died, part of me wanted to shed some tears for her but the other part was asking "why?" With Allie, I could understand some of the stuff that she was going through but other than that I found her a little rude. Every time that she was offered both love and support she would turn it down. I didn't see a point to that, I could understand with her background but it wasn't necessary.

Sam was what made this book enjoyable. He always had a positive attitude and he just had that positive feeling around him that made him enjoyable.

There were some rough spots in this book that didn't allow the sentences to fully flow. However, overall this book was one that I enjoyed for it being a different genre.

I give this book 4 souls!

I went into Interrupted by Rachel Coker with NO expectations wha

I went into Interrupted by Rachel Coker with NO expectations whatsoever, I didn't even know it was historical fiction until I started it when I got "The Notebook" vibe and it was addicting! I loved how carefree and realistic it was, even though the protagonist, Allie loses her mother and gets adopted and taken away from her hometown the day after her mother's funeral. We deal with tragic and sad situations, but at the same time we do not lose the reality of things.

The book is set in more than a 3 year period, jumping from when Allie gets adopted at 14, to how old she is now, which is 17. Even though Allie gets the best adoptee mother (Beatrice) I personally can think of, she is still closed off and can't seem to open herself up to Beatrice, who seems to also be lost and unable to get closer to Allie and show her that she truly does love her, and at the same time Allie can't understand WHY Beatrice WOULD love her. Allie did frustrate me in this aspect; I mean, you've been adopted by around 4 years and you've only been treated no less than a real daughter, so why would you still hold on to all these insecurities and mistrust? Don't humans, naturally need someone to depend on? no matter how 'independent' they say they are. Allie does grow, with the help of Sam, her childhood friend, or more like, the guy who followed her as a lost puppy for years. I adored Sam, he wasn't pushy, he gave Allie her own time and slowed down to her pace and basically tried everything he could to make her happy, even if it meant that he won't end up with her.

Then enters the military enlistment. I liked, and disliked the addition of this idea, the like comes fro the phrase "Distance only makes the heart grow fonder" and disliked it for the fact that it sort of sprung up on me, I didn't have much time to adapt to the idea of Sam leaving, and I felt that Allie resolved her feelings a bit too fast because of it. However, even though the ending and resolution of the book felt a bit rushed, it was sweet, heartwarming, and just an overall feel good ending. I would recommend this book to any lover of realistic fiction, but beware, I couldn't put this book down! I am definitely excited for any new books by Rachel Coker and hoping for another brilliant realistic contemporary like Interrupted

Heart Touching coming of age story

I'm very proud to say that I just finished my first ARC!

Rachel Coker' s Interrupted: A life beyond words was a fantastic read. I'll admit, it really isn't the type of book I normally read, being a Christian (Jew here!) and realistic novel, but I'm glad I did.

Allie, or Alcyone, is an uptight 14 year old girl in the 1940's who really only loves her mother. When her mother is diagnosed with brain cancer and dies, Allie is sent to, ugh, Maine with her new adopted mother Beatrice.

As a Mainer myself, the fact that it was set here did peak my interest. I was worried it would get dull, but that never happened. Coker told the story with such rich language and solid characters.

Most of all, this book is about growing up. There is so much lovely character growth in Allie and she seems so real. This book has tear jerking parts and funny parts and I was truly impressed by Cokers debut novel.

Downside is that I did find the main male, Sam, a bit too nice, which I guess is ok since Allie herself admits it. Also, *SPOILER* in the end when Allie finally converts to Christianity, I just felt like it all happened really fast. One day she's against it, the next she was pray away her sins. There was some build up but I felt that it was rushed at the end.

All in all, I have to give the book a 4 and would recommend it to anyone who likes a coming of age story and needs a light read.

you much chect out this sixteen yeard old writer

This is such a beautiful book, and the story is unbealivablely wrote by sixteen year old who is still in school.

When Allie Everly lost her mother to cancer she was sent to to Maine to live with an adoptive mother whom she had never meet she was very upset. She begin to think that if her friend Sam had not come she may have gotten to her mother in time to save her, so she blames herself for this lost. She had just lost her mother and now she was having to move away from her home and friends, so she became very bitter.

She was sent to live with Miss Beatrice Lowell a prim woman with a great faith in God, whom Allie had not done in her life. Her life now was in turmoil until Sam comes back into her life. When Sam arrived for the summer she was so confused and unhappy but with World War ll on the horizon Allie will be forced to decide how she wanted her life to be.

This beautiful book was sent to me by Zondervan Publishing and the review is my own.

No text was provided for this review.