Publisher: Delacorte Press
Published: March 6, 2018
Genre: Young Adult/LGBT Contemporary
Source: Print ARC
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review:
Music brought Autumn, Shay, and Logan together. Death wants to tear them apart.
Autumn always knew exactly who she was—a talented artist and a loyal friend. Shay was defined by two things: her bond with her twin sister, Sasha, and her love of music. And Logan always turned to writing love songs when his love life was a little less than perfect.
But when tragedy strikes each of them, somehow music is no longer enough. Now Logan can’t stop watching vlogs of his dead ex-boyfriend. Shay is a music blogger struggling to keep it together. And Autumn sends messages that she knows can never be answered.
Each of them wonders: How different would my life be if this hadn’t happened? And now that it has . . . what’s next?
Autumn always knew exactly who she was—a talented artist and a loyal friend. Shay was defined by two things: her bond with her twin sister, Sasha, and her love of music. And Logan always turned to writing love songs when his love life was a little less than perfect.
But when tragedy strikes each of them, somehow music is no longer enough. Now Logan can’t stop watching vlogs of his dead ex-boyfriend. Shay is a music blogger struggling to keep it together. And Autumn sends messages that she knows can never be answered.
Each of them wonders: How different would my life be if this hadn’t happened? And now that it has . . . what’s next?
“Then we just sit there, silent and lonely for you together, because hellos are nice and neat and so much easier than goodbyes.”
The Beauty that Remains is the type of book that will be staying with me long after I’ve finished. Even now, I’m at loss for words. My review, my thoughts, my personal views; nothing will measure up to how beautiful and profound Ashley Woodfork made her debut into the book community. I knew as soon as I saw the blurb, that the story would be powerful—and I was right. We follow Autumn, Shay, and Logan as they struggle to get past the death of a loved one.
“Music is the only reason I can ever ignore the feelings that always have me on edge; that almost never leave me alone.”
The book is told on three separate POVs; with each telling us their stories of coping—or trying to—without the loved one. Autumn has lost her best friend, Logan lost his ex-boyfriend—the one and only boy he ever loved—and Shay lost her twin sister. All three are on a journey of self-discovery, music, and eventually learning to move on. Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting. Music plays a tremendously huge part in the book, by bringing these sad and lonely souls together. Music heals, inspires, and says the words you don’t know how to say.
I’ve been touched by the words the message the author has given us. The main theme if you haven’t already figured it out is grief. Everyone handles it differently and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s so melodramatic for me to say but after I finished reading my heart wept. I think this is going to be a huge success—something I think it absolutely deserves. This is for readers who have lost and learned to love again, and for ones looking for something deep and meaningful.
My heart’s beating.
My chest’s heaving.
I’m not breathing.
And you’re gone.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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About the Author:
Ashley Woodfolk graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in English and her life-long love of books led her straight to the publishing industry. She's a member of the CBC Diversity Committee and markets books for children and teens. In her abundance of "spare" time, she writes contemporary YA. Indie movies, beer, books, and burgers are a few of her favorite things. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and pit bull puppy, Winnie. THE BEAUTY THAT REMAINS is her debut novel.
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