Amelia Unabridged // by Ashley Schumacher

I have to be honest: I was very excited to read this one and it sadly did not hold up to my expectations. But I also have to be honest in another way: I'm not sure I can still judge YA books fairly in how they represent their genre after reading so many fantasy books that are written in a much different style. So I will present the way in which I enjoyed this book and what about it I did not like and you can judge for yourself whether this is a book you want to read. I still do think that overall there is a lot of potential and the author shows some good imagination in this debut novel.

The set up was great. I was very sad at the beginning when her best friend died, but when Amelia received a mysterious first edition of their favorite book, I was immediately intrigued. Of course I wanted to find out where it came from! Who wouldn't?! But the actual figuring out of mysteries and developing various relationships with different people along the way just seemed too... easy. There was a lot of convenient coincidence that made everything move along so smoothly and predictably to the point it leaves you wondering why the main character was every even worried about anything in the first place.

This book did have some serious issues it addressed though: there was grief and conflicting loyalties, self-interest and self-doubt, love, friendship, and resentment. There are all things that young adults have to learn how to handle and including them all in one story is admirable. It adds a lot of depth to the story. What I struggled with though is that while the themes were geared towards older young adults, the writing style seemed to point to the lower end of the YA spectrum. As a frequent reader of epic fantasy, I had a hard time getting used to that writing style. I know that it isn't entirely fair of me to judge this book the same way, which is why I mention that here. It allowed you to draw your own conclusions a little more accurately. While there are some paragraphs that are very fun in their descriptive ways, in other instances it reminded me of what some would call "purple prose." It felt like filler more than anything else and tended to pull me out of the flow of the story. It also felt a little repetitive in some instances. But again as I mentioned above, this is promising for future books by this author and I am definitely open to trying her books again.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Well this little book here just grabbed me and gutted me. Basically finished in one sitting. It’s melancholic, romantic, and in a wild way darkly whimsical. I can’t say that I adored Amelia, because there were many unlikeable things about her. But I love her journey. I love her relationships. I relate to her guilt at doing what she’s “supposed” to do. I probably didn’t adore Amelia because I see so much of myself in her. I am in awe of this book. A favorite for sure.

While I do love a good YA contemporary, I am not the target audience for this book — which should be kept in mind!

I loved the start of the book, Amelia and Jenna’s friendship was heartwarming to read about. Things started to get weird early on while at the book festival, the events felt rushed and the fight that catapults the inciting incident was wholly unrealistic to me. Amelia, who watched her mother struggle with her own mental health, should have been more than understanding about the situation Jenna found herself in with N.E. Endsley.

I enjoyed the search for the sender of the book and the writing is absolutely gorgeous, but I don’t know if I’m too old for this book in particular or if the themes weren’t explored deeply enough for me to connect to them.

I look forward to what this author puts out in the future, though!

This one was absolutely beautiful. I adored it and the writing was absolutely wonderful. I loved the cover, it is so gorgeous and the colors are fantastic. Reading this book was a wonderful, but also something I needed to read. It honestly helped with some grief that I myself am facing. This was such an enjoyable read, and I loved reading about fellow book-loving characters. I also loved the whales, they were quite the lovely touch. Overall, I loved this beautiful book.

I really loved it. I have to say that the end really saved it for me because I was thinking for a minute that this was going another way (and I was a bit OK with it too) but then it was just perfect! This story is a bit sad and romantic, it definitely gave me a lot of emotions which was what I was looking for in the story. The friendships in the story were awesome, definitely some of the best ones I've read in a while. Great characters and great story! Definitely recommend!

Amelia Griffin has just finished high school, she is having a difficult life , undecided about future but she has an amazing friend and her love for books , specifically a book written by a young author her age .
After the unexpected death of her best friend Jenna , Amelia feels lost so she goes on her own journey .


This book was everything to me , it was beautiful and raw and it hooked me right from the start .I loved how it dealt with grief and the way you question your decisions because of the feeling of owing an explanation to those who have always supported you , I have been there .

I'm not a fantasy fan but I must say I loved the world of Nolan and Orman .The relationship between Amelia and Nolan was spiritual and real and I really need that magical book store in my life !

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so fortunate to be able to receive an advanced copy of this book. I quickly knew this would be one of my top 5 reads of 2020.

Amelia's dad has decided he wants a new life - with a new girlfriend. One that doesn't include Amelia and her mom. When he leaves, Amelia visits the one place she knows will make her feel better - her local bookstore. There she meets Jenna, a schoolmate she's never talked to, who buys her a book and invites her over. There she becomes immersed with the world of Orman, and a friendship with Jenna blossoms. Fastforward to senior year. Jenna and Amelia have their first fight, semi-make up, then Jenna is killed in a freak accident in Ireland. In the throws of agony, Amelia is surprised to receive a package, especially when it's a special edition of her favorite book. Edition 101, which shouldn't exist. She then travels to the bookstore it came from to find out who sent it. She thinks it's Jenna trying to speak to her from the grave. While there, she finds more than she bargained for.

If I had to describe this book in 3 words, I would say it was heavy, whimsical and lyrical.
This is some heavy subject matter, especially during this pandemic. Books about death are hard to read right now, but there is an undercurrent of hope throughout.
This book was so whimsical in the way it was written. There were so many book references, comparisons to books. It was just really lovely to read. The writing was lyrical and seemed to flow seamlessly. It was so easy to envision what the writer was trying to portray.

I loved the characters. Amelia was very real, her grief felt real. I just wanted to hug her. Endsley was a grow to love character for me, but by the end I adored him. Val was so entertaining and Alex honestly just seemed like a necessary third wheel. At first, I didn't like the love story, but by the end I was shipping them.

This book is about so much more than a love story. It's about becoming yourself and learning to live with grief. 5/5 stars.

Amelia Unabridged is not light and fun, though there are moments that may cause you to chuckle. The author weaves a beautiful story of love, loss, hope, and renewed life. I thought the pacing was slow in one or two places, The story is written from Amelia's point of view and captures the young girl's journey that aids in overcoming grief and finding direction in the most unlikely of places. I enjoyed the characters, especially Wally, the caffeine addicted dog. There are a few swear words and some kissing, but I would still recommend this to a teen bookclub because I think the content in this book is worth talking about.

Jenna and Amelia are unexpected friends, friends that came to be when Amelia needed someone the most. Books are their biggest bonding point, especially the Orman chronicles by N. E. Endsley. But Jenna’s sudden death changes everything and sends Amelia on an unexpected journey. One can only hope she can find what she needs.
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This. Book. Wrecked. Me. In the best way possible. Putting into words everything this book is is difficult. It’s a book that I think will stick with me for quite a while.
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Immediately, your heart will go out to Amelia. Her family situation is rough. Jenna’s parents want the best for both Jenna and Amelia but Amelia doesn’t want to wear out their generosity. The chapter where Jenna passes? Have your tissues ready. It was raw, and as someone who lost a friend to a car accident last year, it hits home hard.
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Amelia meets so many people who are unexpectedly what she needs at exactly the right time. She has such a profound impact on them as they do her. Her whole journey is beautifully deep.
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This book will make you feel, and I love it for that. It’s also a book about books - who doesn’t love that?! This may be one of the best YA books of 2021, I’m calling it now. 5 stars, no hesitations.
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I have voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book. Thank you to @netgalley and @wednesdaybooks for this opportunity.

Amelia and her best friend Jenna are obsessed with a popular fantasy series that takes place in the magical world of Ormon. When Jenna loses her life in a tragic accident, Amelia spirals. Nothing makes sense.; especially a mystery package received of a rare edition of her favorite book. When she goes to investigate, she finds more than she expects.

I loved the beginning of this book with the friendship between Amelia and Jenna. It really set the stage for the rest of the book and placed you right there in Amelia’s grief. Amelia has a unique, artistic way of seeing the world which brought a lot of magic to the story, as well as the backstory of Ormon itself. I do wish we got a bit more insight into the world of Ormon because I sure loved the glimpses we did get. This story is a romance, but with a strong component of grief as well. It reminded me a bit of the new Colleen Hoover book, Heart Bones. Anyone who enjoys whimsy romances, with a touch of magic but also strong emotions and the brunt of real life, will enjoy this one.

“I want to believe in stories again. I want to believe everything has a purpose, no matter how terrible. That the fairy tales were right, the stories are true, and at the end of all the muck and despair, light can be found.”

Amelia Unabridged comes out 2/16.

An amazing, heartwarming story about family, love. loss, grief and friendship. I am at a total loss for words on how much I love this book. I couldn't put it down. I went in to this story blind, only knowing the title and the author. I think that's the best way to enter this endearing story. As a novel everyone should experience at least once, Amelia Unabridged was a nearly perfect read.

There are some books that take you to a magical place, where the world stands still, and you don't want to leave. The Orman Chronicles are what takes Amelia to that place, and this novel, Amelia Unabridged, took me to that place. The writing brought me into the book so that I was a part of the story, experiencing things as the characters did. Amelia Unabridged is a beautifully written story about friendship, love, loss, finding yourself, and most importantly, it's about healing. I look forward to this novel's publication so that I can read it again and have it become that book that you can return to over and over, like a lifelong friend.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of this treasure of a book. I can't wait to read more from Ashley Schumacher!
#NetGalley#AmeliaUnabridged#AshleySchumacher#WednesdayBooks#noswordsneededforthisreview#bestbookIreadin2020

What. A. Book. It was hard to put down and such a great storyline. People are stories and characters in other people’s stories. The meaning of books and how they shape us, how they heal us, and how they can torment us.

My Rating: 3.9 Stars

Reading this book felt like skimming through a photo album where you have to pause and notice every tiny detail of each picture because it perfectly captured the essence of the moment. Page after page, she weaves the story of grief, love, sadness, uncertainty through her lens beautifully.
This book transpired the transition from teenage to young- adult better. Often YA novels lack this element in them. But this one portrayed everything well- the uncertainty and all the responsibility that accompanies one when you become 18. Amelia realizes that she is on her own now, and no one can make her decisions for her.
I had some issues with the story, but it's mostly with the plot, so I'm willing to overlook that.
Overall, this is a story that is going to be with me for a while. I devoured each page of this book, and I'm unable to part with it. I highly recommend this book to YA lovers.

Many Thanks to the Author, Publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

Two things to remember in this review are this is a debut and it is not geared towards the adult audience. It is very stunning for a debut. The descriptions are beyond the norm. This would be a great book for ages 12-14 in my opinion. There is one reference to alcohol and another describing briefly dead bodies but overall, it is tame.

The description of the book described a story about grief and finding the common ground on the subject. As an adult reading this, it isn't really about grief and it worried me that Amelia moved from a dependent relationship into a co-dependent one.

I was wanting for more of the fantasy element or more realism. This book is in the space between. Some of the descriptions are a bit too much. The relationships are more one dimensional than I would have liked. More than once there was a convenience factor and the timeline was extremely short for the number of events that took place.

However, I believe a reader in the right age group would find this book delightful. I look forward to other works this author creates in the future.


Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll be doing a full review when it gets closer to release date but this is my new favorite book. I loved Amelia and Nolan so much. This book truly captures the magic of stories and books.

Amelia Unabridged is a novel that will stay with me for a long time. Frankly, i'm impressed it's a debut novel. Schumacher has done a masterful job of weaving a thought-provoking story about love, loss, and introspect.

The main character Amelia has already had some horrible events in her life and then to have her best friend taken is enough to make anyone just want to give up. Her life and her future is literally wrecked. But thankfully, she proves tougher than her circumstances, and through a series of events finds a way to get on with life, though not how she expected.

I'm so glad to be able to read this story and look forward to what Ashley Schumacher comes up with next!

It has been a long time since a book touched me so deeply and that I struggle to put into words. <I>Amelia Unabridged</I> was one of those books that I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next, but that I hated having to finish. A beautiful story with flawed characters trying to deal with an abundance of grief and heartbreak. Schumacher created a story that showed various ways we handle difficult situations in our lives and the important roles that others play in our lives. It is also about a love affair with books, particularly the Orman chronicles. An amazing debut!

Amelia Unabridged has a lot to love: a strong main character with a moving struggle of grief and family and how to live your own life, plus a wonderful small town setting (I always love a book with a dreamy bookstore), an interesting use of an author and fandom premise, and a nice array of background characters. At the center of the book is a focus on grief and anxiety, which is genuinely affecting and compelling.

Ultimately, though, I was too distracted by how rushed the story was - the bulk of the plot takes place over only a few days, and the relationship is basically a case of instalove. Amelia and Nolan's relationship could have been deeper and less idealized, especially regarding their personal growth and healing. It felt like Nolan, in particular, only began to heal because of meeting Amelia and falling in love, which is a frustrating and unrealistic way to conclude a story about grief. On one hand, I did care enough about Amelia and Nolan to root for them, but on some level I wished it could have ended (positively, but allowing them to move forward independently) or been simply platonic, so that not everything was tied up in their romance.

I’m a very unemotional person, so when a book makes me cry, you know it’s doing something right. Not that I like breaking down into tears, but to me it’s a sign that I did attach to the characters, that I did love the book. So believe me when I say, I loved this. I ended up in tears three times in the last hundred pages, this shredded my soul into bits.

Blurb
A super fan of N.E Endsley, Amelia is ecstatic when she gets the opportunity to meet him. But, before she can, he leaves the event, refusing to talk to anyone. Somehow, Amelia’s best friend snagged a conversation with him. Leading to a devastating fight that’s never resolved, Amelia is rightfully confused when she receives what seems to be a sign from beyond the grave; a limited edition copy of Endsley’s books. Desperate to know who sent it, she embarks on a wild journey, ending in a charming bookshop where she meets Endsley.

If this book had been written by any other author, it might’ve fallen flat. Schumacher’s writing style added so much life to this story, it felt like it could crawl off of the pages. I fell in love with every single character, which rarely happens. I was rooting for their recovery the entire time, and by the end, I was shipping the main romance with my entire heart.

Along with being written extremely well, this is also every bookworm’s dreams. It’s set in a winding bookshop - hundreds of books waiting to be explored fill the shelves. Every one of our characters loves books, and our romance even happens because of books! I’m going to hope that I’m not the only one who wishes I could live in Val’s bookshop, it’s basically my dream.

I always struggle to review books that I love, and this is no exception. There’s not much more I can say, but pleas, do yourself a favor, and go read this. It’s a tale of first love, grief, choice, and friendship. It’s a tale of defying expectations, of coping, of becoming.