Review: The Clearing by Heather Davis

THE CLEARING by Heather Davis

Pub. Date: April 2010
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: Paperback, 212pp
Age Range: Young Adult

In this bittersweet romance, two teens living decades apart form a bond that will change their lives forever.

Amy is drawn to the misty, mysterious clearing behind her Aunt Mae’s place because it looks like the perfect place to hide from life. A place to block out the pain of her last relationship, to avoid the kids in her new town, to stop dwelling on what her future holds after high school.

Then, she meets a boy lurking in the mist—Henry. Henry is different from any other guy Amy has ever known. And after several meetings in the clearing, she’s starting to fall for him.

But Amy is stunned when she finds out just how different Henry really is. Because on his side of the clearing, it’s still 1944. By some miracle, Henry and his family are stuck in the past, staving off the tragedy that will strike them in the future. Amy’s crossing over to Henry’s side brings him more happiness than he’s ever known—but her presence also threatens to destroy his safe existence.

In The Clearing, author Heather Davis crafts a tender and poignant tale about falling in love, finding strength, and having the courage to make your own destiny—a perfect book to slip into and hide away for awhile.

Amy longs to get away from the memories of her past emotional and physical bruises. How wonderful would it be to start a new life away from a haunted past? This is one of the reasons why I enjoy reading books like this. It’s the magical illusion of fantasy. Getting to start over or living in someone else’s shoes or books for the day. Amy’s life takes an unexpected turn where her wishes come true.

THE CLEARING is told in alternating viewpoints from Amy and Henry. I enjoyed getting inside these character’s heads and watching how their feelings for each other progressed. I‘d assume finding love in a time that’s quite different from the present wouldn’t be without hardships. But I would agree with Amy on one point-the guys were probably more gentlemanly in that era. I couldn’t help but find myself empathizing with Amy and everything she went through with her ex. And Dear Henry, What a sweetheart! Amy and Henry were perfect for each other.

Heather Davis crafted a magical tale where finding love on the wrong side of the tracks – I mean clearing can be breathtaking. I was completely surprised by the ending. I kept thinking everything happened as it was meant to. I loved that the characters took a leap of faith when life threw them curve balls. In the end, it paid off - Big Time. This was the first novel I’ve read by Heather Davis and I’ll be sure to go pick up her other works. Readers looking for a timeless love story where barriers can be crossed should pick up this novel.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars