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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Review: The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes


The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes 
Ever since the night of the incident with Luke Willis, the preacher’s son, sophomore Hallelujah Calhoun has been silent. When the rumors swirled around school, she was silent. When her parents grounded her, she was silent. When her friends abandoned her … silent.
Now, six months later, on a youth group retreat in the Smoky Mountains, Hallie still can’t find a voice to answer the taunting. Shame and embarrassment haunt her, while Luke keeps coming up with new ways to humiliate her. Not even meeting Rachel, an outgoing newcomer who isn’t aware of her past, can pull Hallie out of her shell. Being on the defensive for so long has left her raw, and she doesn’t know who to trust.
On a group hike, the incessant bullying pushes Hallie to her limit. When Hallie, Rachel, and Hallie’s former friend Jonah get separated from the rest of the group, the situation quickly turns dire. Stranded in the wilderness, the three have no choice but to band together.
With past betrayals and harrowing obstacles in their way, Hallie fears they’ll never reach safety. Could speaking up about the night that changed everything close the distance between being lost and found? Or has she traveled too far to come back?
Publishes in US: February 17th 2015 by HarperTeen
Genre: ya contemp
Source: Harper Teen via Edelweiss
Series? no

Buy it:  BARNES & NOBLE | AMAZON | KOBO | POWELL’S | INDIEBOUND

Author stalk away: ~site Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

 

    I wanted to read the distance between lost and found because I wanted to know what happened with Hallelujah nicknamed Hallie and Luke. Even though I thought that her silence was actually not speaking it ended up that she just wasn't standing up for herself.

    I know a lot about feeling left out and taking on blame and internalizing issues. So the fact that Hallie was so down about this spoke to me. There was some incredible character growth and opening up both emotionally and honestly evaluating what happened and the response from others.

    When she ends up lost with new friend Rachel and old one Jonah they are tested physically, emotionally and Hallie somewhat spiritually. They are on a youth group trip and Hallies parents are super involved with church. The book never felt pushy just the questions of a young girl who had grown up in church and wondering how or if the God she learned about fits into her world of hiding from others, feeling misunderstood, and now facing getting lost in the mountains.

     They faced being cold, rained on, injuries, and not having enough to eat. But they learned a lot about each other. Hallie finally talks about some of her pain. Wet also realize that her and Jonah used to be good friends sharing music and movies until one night things happened and Luke, their mutual then friend, began to spread lies about her. It was nice that they got things into the open.

     I liked Rachel more than I thought I would. At first she is just looking for an in at the party the counselors didn't know about, and then she is all cozy with Luke. But she keeps trying to engage with Hallie. I admit that I was suspicious right . Along with Halle but I also can't in with her prejudices and out look. But she is a nice girl and had good intentions. She was lonely in her own rights.

    The pacing was good and plot had enough character development, flash backs to the time when Halle changed and the details of the teens trying to survive until rescue found then.

    The romance was sweet and it fit the tone of the book. It didn't take center stage but was a long time crush not realized but finally kindled into something.

   The courage, persistence and ingenuity of the three of them was great. They came to rely on one another and saw that some of the ways they were living or thinking wasn't right.

     The ending was nice and it gave closure with hope for each of then moving forward. They learned from each other and their experience and I can just imagine how their next few months and into new school year night go for them.

Bottom Line: Good story and character development.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Have you ever been lost?

28 comments:

  1. It's always best when an ending manages to give closure, without being wrapped up TOO perfectly!

    Sounds like a great read :)

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  2. Glad it wasn't super pushy with the religious side, it's a turn off for me since I have read ones that have been, and glad the romance didn't take centre stage because yeah, I doubt that would've fit the tone of the book. Nope, I've never been lost.

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  3. I don't think I've ever been properly lost! I have wandered around a bit in foreign cities, losing my way on purpose but always found my way back! This sounds like a really interesting book, with complex characters and some heart! Thanks for the review :)
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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  4. Yes- full of heart and good characters

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  5. She had the internal struggle with what she'd grown up with versus what she actually believes

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  6. Such a balance to make the perfect ending

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  7. Nah i have never been lost and hope i never will ..... Thanks for the great review though ..... This sounds like a solid contemporary I wouldn't mind reading.....

    Aparajita @Le' Grande Codex

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  8. I have been seeing this one around a lot and now I regret not picking it up off of EW!

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  9. Great to hear the religious aspect wasn't pushy. I hate it when that happens.

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  10. This one sounds like such an impacting read! I love the undertones this one has and i'm making sure to pick it up on my next book shop run! Lovely review Brandi :)

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  11. Hallelujah is such a unique name for a main character and I love the cover to this one! I like that the religion in the story wasn't too forward and I think I would be able to relate to Hallie because I am someone who internalizes issues as well.

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  12. I have this book (earc) & don't know why I have not read it yet! I had no clue it was like this. I must of gotten it confused with another with a similar cover...
    It sounds fabulous! I want to know what happened & how it turns out.
    Great review!

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  13. Brandi- I read this one last night! It was such a quick read and I really enjoyed it. I liked the growth in Hallie and the part Rachel played in the story. And I thought Jonah was very genuine. Great review! So glad you enjoyed this one, too!

    Yes, when I was young, I was with my sister in the mall and we got lost. Actually, we forgot where we were supposed to meet our parents. I was three years younger so I was counting on my sister. Back then, you could trust people so a young married couple saw us crying and sat with us on the fountain inside and bought us ice cream until our very embarrassed parents came. Never got lost again.

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  14. I have never been lost but even if I get lost one day, I really wish that I will have the power to find my way by myself and get stronger, Lovely Review

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  15. Definitely an interesting concept. Love when characters grow so much.

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  16. I've been lost driving lots of times, but never in the wilderness, but then I don't do wilderness things. Sounds like an interesting read, and I am glad you enjoyed it. Very thoughtful review :)

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  17. I'm so glad that you liked this one! Personally, I was torn because the synopsis wasn't that interesting for me, but I really loved the title. Amazing review :)

    Kim @ Divergent Gryffindor: BLOG || VLOG

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  18. I've read several great reviews for this book. It sounds so interesting to me. But I agree with Kim (below) the synopsis didn't really pull me in until I started reading the reviews.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  19. I haven't seen this book around, but it does sound like one I would enjoy. The idea of it sounds interesting and I'm glad that you enjoyed quite of few of the aspects of the book!


    Lovely review!

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  20. The Distance Between Lost and Found sounds like a strong, soul-searching story, Brandi. Hallie seems to be the kind of heroine I'd enjoy getting to know better, especially because there is a lot of character growth going on.


    I have been lost once, in the woods, and it was really hard to find the way out - we kept walking in circles, and of course it started to rain, and it was cold while we were really miserable. It turned out we were very close to the cabin we were staying at the whole time, but we were really scared once we finally got back inside!


    Have a great weekend.

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  21. I love a book that focuses on character development because it adds so much more depth to the story. Definitely going to check this one out!

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  22. Sounds like a good book. Better than I thought! Hm... might have to check it out.

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  23. It's great that you're having such a good run with books lately Brandi, I do like my romances in books too, but like the sound of how this one is done! Great review! :)

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  24. I'm glad this one worked out for you, I read it a few days back - I wasn't a huge fan, although, I can see why most people like it overall :) Lovely review! x Benish | Feminist Reflections

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  25. Nice to see you enjoyed this Brandi. Wonderful review!

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  26. I love great character growth in a book. This book sounds great Brandi!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  27. I really enjoyed this one too!
    Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics

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  28. I've been curious about The Distance between Lost and Found - so I'm glad you enjoyed it! It sounds very action, and survival driven. Wonderful review, Brandi!

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