Review: Winter Longing by Tricia Mills

WINTER LONGING by Tricia Mills

Pub. Date: August 2010
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated

Format: Paperback, 256pp

Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher

When Winter's boyfriend is killed in a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, she's robbed of the future she'd only just allowed herself to believe might be hers. Winter and Spencer had been destined for one another. And after his death, Spencer's presence continues to haunt her.

But when her next-door neighbor becomes an unlikely friend, Winter begins to accept all that she can't change. Can she open herself to a new future . . . and a possible new love?

To crush on your friend for as long as Winter crushed on Spencer, then only to have him taken away from her just when their relationship started was heartbreaking. Her family and friends stayed by her side throughout her grief over the loss of Spencer and it was heart-warming and heart-wrenching to experience. This book pulled me into the pages right from the start and it totally did not feel like I was reading a book but witnessing someone else's life.

Winter’s characterization felt so true to what one would likely emotionally experience at her age with love and loss. I could totally empathize with her. There is light at the end of the tunnel (Jesse Kerr). He’s so supportive and caring when it comes to Winter. How could you not fall for a guy like him? This novel was such a feel good read and I'm just glad it did not disappoint. I'm so picky when it comes to contemporary novels because I tend to put myself in the situation and critique the characters based off real life. But, it's safe to say Tricia Mills's portrayal of these characters were spot on.

WINTER LONGING takes readers on a journey of one's love, loss, and having the strength to move on as difficult as it may seem. This was a great read! I'll definitely be picking up more of Tricia Mill's books in the future.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars