[Moodboard Review] This is Sarah by Ally Malinenko

ABOUT

Title: This is Sarah

Author: Ally Malinenko

Series: N/A 

Publisher: Bookfish Books

Release Date: July 4th 2014

Get it Here: Amazon

Source: e-ARC provided by the author

Synopsis:
When Colin Leventhal leaned out his bedroom window on the night of May 12th and said goodbye to his girlfriend, he never expected it would be forever. But when Sarah Evans goes missing that night, Colin's world unravels as he transforms from the boyfriend next door to the main police suspect. Then one year later, at her memorial service, Colin makes a phone call that changes everything. Is it possible that Sarah is still alive? And if so how can he bring her back?

As Colin struggles with this possibility, across the street, Sarah’s little sister, Claire learns how to navigate the strange new landscape of life without her sister. While her parents fall apart, Claire remains determined to keep going even if it kills her.

THIS IS SARAH serves as a meditation on loss, love and what it means to say goodbye.

I received an e-ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. This fact in no shape or form affects my review. Except for the existence of the review itself. I received no compensation for this review in any way.This is my honest opinion of the work.

Oh man. This book was really sad and full of the feels. Obviously it would be, since it is about the people left behind after someone they love goes missing.

This book is told in a dual perspective, switching between Claire, Sarah's younger sister, and Colin, Sarah's boyfriend. It spans over a year after Sarah goes missing and the plot is incredibly character based.

I have had the fortune of never having to experience what Colin and Claire experience in THIS IS SARAH. The grief and anger portrayed in this book is incredibly vivid and real. I could sympathize with the characters' grief and really step into their shoes. I teared up a bit in some portions because it was really just, SO SAD.

Colin and Claire's struggle to let go of Sarah gave me heartache and the way they dealt with their grief was unhealthy but so incredibly human. Colin has a habit of calling Sarah's phone and simply listening to it ring and ring and ring. Claire dwells in Sarah's room and tries to live as Sarah and herself for her parents.

This book is short, with the ebook totaling a whopping 150 pages. It's a perfect size, especially with the heavy tone of this book and I think drawing out the characters' grief for any longer would have just been torturous to poor Colin and Claire.

"Because I am in love with the Sarah that only lives in my head, the Sarah that is a ghost."

"I closed my eyes again. Pictured my sister in this car. The steady click, click, click of the blinker. The crunch of the gravel under the wheel." 

(I would have more quotes, but highlighting on my kobo mini is such a mission. also, feels.)

THIS IS SARAH is incredibly, beautifully written with powerful imagery and vivid emotions dealing with love, loss and acceptance. It's a perfect read for those who are dealing with grief themselves or perhaps want to be able to empathize with those experiencing such grief. (How many times have I said grief in this review already. Jeez. ) Bravo!

Also, I'm trying to start this new thing, where I do mood boards in my reviews just to add a little something extra. All pictures (except for the shoes, which are clearly on the cover of the book), were taking from the Creative Commons section of Flickr.

Happy Reading!