Review: Chasing Invisible – Karen Pokras Toz
Julia Alexander has immersed herself in books of every kind ever since she was a child, much to her parents chagrin. She can’t help herself in doing so. Books are a passion of hers she can’t let go. She’s tried to make her parents and friends understand her passion, yet they can’t seem to grasp the concept of it. Never-the-less, she’s determined to hold fast to who she is as well as to her own beliefs.
Determined to make the most of her college experience, Julia sees it as a chance to gain her independence. She’s tired of her parents hounding her at every turn, most especially her mother. Her father has tried to be as supportive of her as possible, but he still holds fast to her mother’s desires. In her mind, she’ll be able to live her life the way she sees fit now that’s she’s off to college.
Yet she soon comes to the realization that some things never change. Most especially when her mother does her best to incorporate herself into every aspect of her life. A chance encounter with the beautiful and enigmatic Chase soon changes everything. Chase is determined to show her just how much she’s come to mean to him. Julia refuses to give him the time of day. She’s afraid he’ll hurt her the way a crush from long ago hurt her in more ways than one. When her defenses start to crumble, and Chase finds his way into her heart, she comes to the realization that sometimes it’s better to go with the flow rather than to ignore it.
Caught up in a whirlwind romance, Julia starts to wonder how things will eventually turn out. She and Chase are as different as night and day. He’s also a budding musician, one who seems to be climbing the charts faster than anyone could have imagined. Never-the-less, she’s willing to give their relationship a shot. For awhile things are going hunky-dory, but even all good things come to an end.
As Chase’s fame continues to grow, she’s thrown into the limelight against her better judgment. Every aspect of her life is dissected and scrutinized by people she doesn’t know. Deep inside, Julia knows that such things come with the territory. She’s the girlfriend of a successful rockstar, after all. Unforfunately, it’s not long before her boyfriend’s fast and wild life starts taking its toll on her. If they’re to succeed at making things work, they’ll need to trust one another in order to get through the storm that’s heading their way. The question is, how can they do that when everyone they know are intent on pulling each of them in different directions from the get-go?
This was honestly a very heart-warming story. I think Karen captured Julia’s insecurities and choices of the heart quite beautifully. She shows us a girl who is determined to be who she wants to be, yet she’s overshadowed by her parents wishes to be what and how they think she should be. Julia is determined to set herself apart from the life she’s lived. In her mind, college is her way of doing so. Sadly, some things never change.
We get to learn about Julia’s past and present life as well as the tumultuous relationship that takes her by storm with every turn of the page. Sometimes, things might seem out of reach, and we flounder about in trying to decipher what’s best for us. Other times, what we want and need is right in front of our eyes. We just don’t see what we should be seeing, then and there. Chasing Invisible is a story that will tug at your heart, and take you for a memorable ride, one you’ll never forget by the time you get to the very end. It’s a book I enjoyed immensely, and will definitely read again soon.
Synopsis:
Could you handle life in the spotlight?
Julia Alexander is a quiet girl from a small town. Content to spend her days with her small group of friends and a pile of books, Julia thinks her future is set. When she unexpectedly meets Chase, a fellow college student and budding musician, she is unaware of just how drastically things are about to change.
Suddenly thrown into the limelight, her life is no longer her own. Relentlessly followed by the paparazzi, Julia is forced to make tough decisions about fame, love, family, and relationships. But just how much will Julia have to sacrifice to become invisible…
About The Author:
Karen Pokras Toz, recently discovered her love for writing. Karen writes middle grade and adult contemporary fiction. Her middle grade children’s novels have won several awards including the Grand Prize in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards and First Place for a Global E-Book Award for Pre-Teen Literature. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her family. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com.
Connect With Her Online:
Website: www.karentoz.com
Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz
Amazon: http://amzn.to/11wuyqn
Barnes & Noble:
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325554
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz
Giveaway Prize: $25 amazon gift card, tote bag, key chain, bookmarks, notebook, postcard
Disclaimer: A GWR Publicity event paid for by the author. Giveaway is sponosored by the author and is responsible for prize fulfillment. YOUR BLOG NAME received no compensation for this post.
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