Review: Losing Gabriel by Lurlene McDaniel

Losing Gabriel by Lurlene McDaniel

This emotionally-charged novel about three high school seniors who in the midst of planning their futures after high school are instead faced with present circumstances that force them to grasp what it means to make choices, take responsibility, and truly become an adult.
Lani Kennedy has dreamed of becoming a nurse since her cousin Arie died of leukemia. Nothing will stop her from getting into the local nursing program.
Dawson Burke hasn’t dealt with his mom’s death, and he’s angry at his dad for moving them to Windemere right before senior year. He grudgingly accepts that he must wait till graduation before he leaves.
Sloan Quentin can belt out a song and knows that her band is her ticket to fame and fortune. When she discovers that her boyfriend—the band’s lead guitarist—is cheating on her, she finds comfort—and revenge—in someone else’s arms.
When the lives of Lani, Dawson, and Sloan become entangled in unexpected ways, reality hits harder than anyone could have imagined.

Publishes in US: June 14th 2016 by Delacorte Press
Genre: ya contemp
Source: bought
Series? no

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   I wanted to read this one because I love Lurlene McDaniel, and have since I was preteen. She is an automatic buy for me and she delivered in Losing Gabriel.

   I def wondered how these three could be so connected, but I got lost in their stories and personalities and the changes of life that brought them all so intertwined. 

   I read this in one sitting, it had me glued to the pages, and I didn't want to stop. 

    This was hard core emotionally charged, and there was so much in in that made me want to cry. Lurlene has always know how to draw these amazing characters that have to face hard real life situations. She knows how to write heartbreak and make the reader feel it. 

    This book has romance, and it has tragedy to it, but its about so much more. Family ties, friendship, relationships, hardships. It melds three very different characters-- Lani who want to be a nurse after being by her cousin's bedside and seeing her die from cancer, Sloane, a singer who wants to make it big but who has a rough upbringing with absent and drunk mother, and at first angry Dawson, who is close with his father, but they are still reeling from the loss of his mother. 

Bottom Line: Emotional, all I expect from a book by McDaniel.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
ever in a band? want to be?