Happy to Be Alive Because Book Review

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 About the Book

Avery is a seventeen-year-old girl whose reality has just been shattered by the death of her mother. Feeling a desperate need to flee from what has become her life, she follows a travel plan meant for her mom that leads her to the little beach town where her mom grew up. It's there that she meets a group of three adventurous friends who adopt her into their circle, allowing her to experience a summer she never thought would be possible after suffering such a great loss. Unfortunately, her summer full of experiences threatens to end abruptly when she realizes that one of the three has a secret that causes her to question everything about the new life she has been building. Avery must learn to balance her grief and her desire for a future in order to achieve her mother's final wish for her: That she would be happy to be alive. (Goodreads)

My Review

Pretty much this book was fantastic. I had no idea what to expect but as soon as I started reading I was completely engrossed in the storyline. I LOVE Avery, her story, her personality, I feel like I came away knowing her. This book is very well written and touched all my emotions. Romance, sadness, humor, and awkward moments. There were several times that I laughed and the people sitting around me kept giving me weird looks. If a book can make me laugh out loud-it's a winner. Granted this is Young Adult fiction, it's still one of the best books I've read this year by far. Great summer read or anytime read really. The setting is Florida and I felt like I was on the beach the entire time. 

This book has a lot going on yet it's so simple and honest with life.
Happy to Be Alive Because seemed like an odd title but seriously it's the best idea! In the book a woman keeps a journal and writes down her "I'm happy to be alive because....it's a beautiful day". It reminded her that life is beautiful in the simplest ways. Such a great reminder to me that really there are so many wonderful things that are in life that I don't notice or remember. 

I loved this book. I can't wait for Chelsea Jacobs to write another book!

"I received this book from Litfuse for free in exchange for an honest review."