Amelia and Jenna have been best friends since the day Amelia's dad left her and her mom. Her mom is like a ghost, always lodged in front of the TV not doing much, so Jenna's family takes her in as their second daughter. This was also the day that Amelia discovered her love for the Orman Chronicles. Amelia and Jenna soon go to meet N.E. Endsley, the author of the Orman Chronicles, at a rare event.

After an unpredictable accident takes Jenna away from Amelia, Amelia is left heartbroken and confused. On top of that, she's also debating between going with the college plans that Jenna set for her or following what her heart wants. Then, an unexpected package arrives leading to a bookstore in Michigan state and also N.E. Endsley.

N.E. Endsley is not what you would expect from a typical author. He is isolated from everyone else but beneath all of that, he has his own struggles that are carried into his writing. When Nolan meets Amelia, the pain in their hearts has finally found comfort.

It's a gorgeous debut novel.

The book felt so real and down to earth with all that Amelia was experiencing. Her parents are divorced just like many people's parents in the world. The grief that she experiences from Jenna's death and how it affected her emotionally is something that many have to deal with especially now with COVID-19.

The description and details were amazing and I felt as if I was standing on the side watching everything happen. Val's bookstore seemed totally enchanting and I hope to visit one just like that in my life. My top favorite things to do include reading and playing the piano so it was absolute perfection for me.

This book blew me away and is definitely one of my top reads this year. The writing style of the author is absolutely gorgeous and I loved everything about this book. It left me in tears throughout but also got me to laugh in other parts. Amelia Unabridged was beyond my expectations and I highly, highly recommend reading this book when it's released.

*Posted maybe with blog tour

I think many readers will enjoy this book as it tackles the human experience so wonderfully. Through Amelia, we are given the full gamut of emotions - romance, grief, drama, and the sweet in-between moments that make life worth living.

The protagonist, Amelia, was unfortunately subjected to a traumatic event that shapes how she interacts and views her world. From there, the story unfolds, and she is ultimately lead to a bookstore that serves as a sort of salvation. Here, she can process her emotions, rekindle her self-love and respect, and garner friendships and love.

There is more to this story, and there are more compelling characters who also shape Amelia’s experience through their healing, hurt, and understanding of the world.

I think this book is a perfect read, especially in 2020. It’s well-written and provides a clear and realistic look at the human condition.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a touching story of love, loss, friendship and grief. Amelia, the 18 year old protagonist, has to wend her way through emotions and the expectations of others.

Amelia, an avid reader with a vivid imagination is a wonderful character. Far from perfect but highly relateable.

I particularly enjoyed the love of books and joy of reading pervades this book.

I received an ARC and I am leaving my honest review.

It was a heartwarming, well written read, one which I highly recommend.

Amelia and Jenna are best friends and making plans to be college roommates, until Fate steps in and Amelia is left grappling with life after Jenna and life after high school. One day, Amelia receives her favorite, absolute favorite, book in the mail. It's a rare edition and signed by the author, who is she slightly obsessed with. It's a mystery who sent it to her or how "they" knew to send it to her favorite bookstore. Her only clue is the name of a bookstore that's taped to the package. On a whim, she decides to travel to the bookstore, which is in Michigan, hoping to find answers about the book, the author, and whether this all part of Jenna's plan.

This is one of those, "you're gonna cry but it's a feel-good cry" type of book. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. There were parts that were syrupy bubblegum sweet, but then there are other parts about grief, grieving, and living. I enjoyed the writing style, the flow and pace. If you're looking for a positive, feel-good story to get you through those not-so-positive days, this is it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Ashley Schumacher, and St. Martin's Press for an advanced eBook copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is magical. I was afraid it might be too sad or depressing, but this was beautifully written, and despite some heartbreaking realness, it was overwhelmingly more about hope, resilience, friendship, and love.

This book captures some of the heartbreak and confusion of being a young adult trying to find one’s way when the world is ripped apart, yet infuses it with the triumph of finding oneself and one’s purpose.

The way this author incorporates the power and wonder of imagination and an almost fairy tale quality within this contemporary young adult story is stunning. I can’t recommend this book enough, I loved it.

Wow....not sure where to start with this one. Although I felt some parts boring, this book was so much...it is for anyone who has ever needed a friend, about how far friendship will go, loss of so much, loss of family, loss of friends and loss of oneself. It is about learning how love after loss and how to truly find who one is. It is about love, love between a girl and a boy, love between friends and love between family and accepting that love for what it is and where it is. This book is for anyone who has ever got lost in the words, the worlds and the characters of a book and for anyone who has ever escaped into a book in order to deal with life. This story is about books that shape us and leave an impact for the rest of our lives.

A story of love, loss, grief, and healing. A story of finding yourself, losing yourself, and the journey of self reflection to find yourself again.

This book truly does an amazing job of capturing the feeling of being 18 — of trying to navigate that awkward, and crucial, in-between. The feeling of being torn in two by the childhood you’re leaving behind, and the adult you’re growing into. Between childishness and maturity, of naivety and adulthood. The struggle of wanting the entire world but having to come to terms with finding your own slice. Navigating the unknown, trying to find yourself and where you fit in the grand scheme of things. These characters are teens, and they’re authentically so, but we get to learn and grow with them and in turn get a peak into much more depth than I’d originally thought.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and to be honest it took me by surprise. I didn’t expect to come out liking it as much as I do. However I do feel like this book would’ve been a huge deal for me in my teens, it would’ve sucked me in harder and I would’ve been broken to have to let it go. Even still, I was able to delve right into the story and the characters and the fantasy — filling me with such intense longing and nostalgia, and reopening old wounds I thought had healed long ago.

Every once in a while, there are books where it feels as if your hands are simply not strong enough to hold the immense weight of it on their own. And so your heart steps in and with every beat, every pulse, you begin to feel that pressure. Because it's the kind of weight that stays with you for a long time, a particular kind of density that makes a home inside your chest.

I can feel how my heart now carries the heaviness of this book. And oh, what a privilege that is.

Because this book is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the best story is the story of your own life, the best characters are the people you love, and the best writing are the words that come from your heart. This confirms that not all endings are filled with grief, and sometimes there doesn't have to be an ending at all. This shows how courage often just means turning one page, making it through just one more day. This promises that life is worth more than an abridgement.

This is a book I will recommend until the end of my days with the hope that maybe, just maybe, others can carry this story in their hearts, as well.

3.5 stars

Grief is a topic that is well managed in many YA novels, and this is no exception.

Amelia and Jenna are close friends whose power dynamic centers on Jenna's more stable home life and sense of self. When Jenna dies VERY early on, Amelia is left to manage her feelings, Jenna's parents' feelings, and her own future.

In a creative twist, Amelia feels like Jenna impacts some of those aspects of Amelia's mourning process. I won't say much more about that to avoid spoilers - just that it's creative, and the conversations around grief are nicely developed overall.

I did find Amelia's character to progress dramatically - and in some less-than-believable ways - throughout the novel. There are also some other elements that are convenient, to say the least. That noted, I enjoyed the read overall and would recommend it, especially to a reader interested in this subject.

“I tell myself to go slow, but years of reading have made he a hate, not a tortoise, and my eyes are gulping words while before I can stop them.”

The Orman Chronicles are Amelias favorite book series, and lucky for her, her best friend Jenna’s parents got them tickets to his upcoming signing. Unfortunately author N.E. Ednsley is a no show. Or so Amelia thinks until Jenna tells her on the way home that she met him before he left. Amelia is furious and heartbroken, but little does she know her heart will soon shatter when Jenna is unexpectedly killed in a car accident. Soon after, a rare edition of the first book shows up and nobody can tell her where it came from. Amelia knows she must go on an adventure to find the true meaning of this gift.

Oh man this book. So first of all, besides the whole dying thing, I am Jenna. Do not destroy my books, they should be treated with love and tenderness always! This is why only a few people are allowed to borrow my books! The quote above is one that immediately stood out to me as I am sure it will for most readers! I love that feeling of excitement to read something that you want to savor it, but of course can’t stop yourself from devouring it!

Anyway, This book had me in tears by the end. I adored Jenna’s parents and the love they showed Amelia, even after they lost their daughter. I have a friends parents that treated me the same way my entire life, and it is such a beautiful and heartwarming relationship. The descriptions of Val’s bookstore were beyond amazing, I could just imagine myself exploring the floors and shelves with stars in my eyes. Nolan was so infuriating to me at first but as the book went on and we learned of his trauma, my heart just broke and opened up completely to him, as did Amelias. I didn’t expect to love this one as much as I did, but this book is a warm blanket on a cold and sad day. It just completely stole my heart, and hope it will steal yours too!

*𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸

So as you can tell from this synopsis, this is a very hard-hitting novel.
But it is also a very powerful read, that turns a devastating experience into a journey for Amelia to focus on herself and figure out what she really wants from life.
The grief and guilt depicted in this book is incredibly well done.
Overall, this book just deals with so many different things, the aspects are very nuanced,ending was so perfectly done and I am deeply impressed with how many topics were packed into this debut novel.
It definitely comes with a recommendations from me.

Its funny how I can relate to some of this book as a blogger. I often feel unwelcome in the book community because I haven't achieve the success of other bloggers, and this book reminded me of how painful that feeling can be. I love how define these characters are, and the way the author add so many different emotions to the characters. Such a great but painful read.. Cant wait to see more work from this author and will recommend this book to many friends

I. Love. This. Book! Such a treat for those of us who have books as best friends, have lived our lives in the company of many, many novels. Didn’t read like the usual sloppy romance typical of young adult books. This is smart. Doesn’t dumb down. The feelings of grief and loss and how to continue living after a major loss is well described. Those of us who can relate will truly appreciate that. Such a beautiful plot married to great characters. I’m just sitting here in awe of how much I loved it. We are such complex creatures. And like Nolan says: “ I hate endings. Hate them. If the story is good, it’s never going to be long enough”. Exactly!

This was wonderful. It will likely be one of my favorite books of the year but I’m struggling to put my reasons into words. The story follows Amelia through the grief of losing her best friend. She takes us on a journey to track down a book that appears to be sent from that friend from beyond the grave. Along the way, she meets someone special who sits with her in her grief and helps her find her way through. And there are so many books and a quirky bookstore! And a beloved reclusive author struggling with writer’s block! And lovable, small town charm! It was so well done. It’s much better than my description,

Amelia Unabridged is everything I needed in a book. Amelia learns to live her life with her best friend by her side and need to relearn what living means once Jenna dies in a car accident. Schumacher's portrayal of how to live after a loved one dies is so beautiful. She makes the power of getting lost in a book such a relatable experience. I can't wait to see what else she comes out with.

I don't really know what to say about this book. I think if I had read it three years ago, I would have loved it. But I'm a different person now, and while I still enjoyed it, I didn't love it like I hoped to. I'd definitely say it's a good book though.

This is a gentle exploration of growing up, losing a best friend, and finding yourself through good books, sweet romance, and a doofy dog.

Did not finish. This novel was not for me. I had a hard time connecting to the story and the characters.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Netgalley & Wednesday books for sending me an ARC of Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What can I say about this book. What can I even say to truly grasp the beauty of this book. My heart is singing and my eyes are tear filled. This is hands down one of the best ARC’s I’ve had the absolute pleasure of reviewing,

Amelia Unabridged follows Amelia Griffin as she copes with her grief, her sense of belonging and the stories within her colliding and that is the best way I can explain the plot as I think any synopsis would never do the beauty justice.

My heart aches for this book and if hadn’t been published yet, I would be shouting from the rooftops and throwing my computer at everyone to read it immediately. All I want to do is wish I had a physical copy so I could clutch it to my heart and dance through an ocean.

Ashley Schumacher is such a beautiful and gifted author. Having lost a loved one myself, seeing her raw emotional approach to this storyline and the harsh truths and coping natures that had to be spoken and maintained to keep it authentic is such a treat and not something often grasped.

This is a book that’s easy to fall right into, I read it all in 3 hours in one sitting and was rooted to my seat the whole time. I think we can all see ourselves in Amelia and those around her, all the wackiness, are the book loving and all the love for cute dogs.

I’m trying so hard to give nothing away because it’s something you have to experience for yourself to just love as much as I do (not that my love for this book has been obvious... I’ve been super casual....)

Overall one of my favourite reads of the year, I absolutely cannot wait for it’s release so I can talk everyone into reading it so they can join the Nolan Endsley simp club.

Not much has gone right in Amelia Griffin’s young life. Amelia’s dad left when she was 14 and her mom fell apart soon after. It is only an unexpected friendship with Jenna that has saved her. Jenna took Amelia under her wing and they became inseparable after bonding over the book series, the Orman Chronicles. For the last four years, the vivacious and future driven Jenna has helped give Amelia’s life direction, support, and love. As a graduation present, Jenna’s parents send the girls to a book conference where they hope to meet the mysterious author of the Orman Chronicles, N.E. Endsley. But the girls steadfast friendship is thrown for a loop when Jenna gets to meet the author and Amelia doesn’t. Before their fight is really resolved Jenna leaves for a trip to Ireland where she is killed in a car accident. Amelia is left untethered in the wake of her friend's death. Jenna was the one with a plan and Amelia begins to feel consumed with the pressure of fulfilling the plans, even though they may not be exactly what she wants. When a rare edition of the Orman Chronicles arrives without a sender, Amelia is certain it is a sign from Jenna and she seizes the opportunity to get out of town and investigate the small bookstore it came from. But the small bookstore in a reclusive Michigan town holds more surprises than Amelia anticipated and the answers she seeks aren’t all straightforward, especially when N.E. Endsley turns up. Will Amelia have the courage to abandon Jenna’s plan and determine her own future?

VERDICT is that this is an engaging read for young adults that deals with many facets of grief. I liked Amelia and thought the way Schumacher described her inner thoughts and creativity was really beautiful at times. I struggled a little getting through this book, at times, I was more invested in the imaginary worlds the characters created (Endsley’s Orman and Amelia’s blue whales) than the characters themselves. There is definitely something here though and I think teen readers who are struggling with the weight of high expectations or dealing with grief may benefit from this read.