The NerdHerd Reads: {Blog Tour} Review: A Life, Redefined by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

Hey guys! Today, for the A Life, Forward tour, I'll be reviewing the first book in the series, A Life, Redefined. I really enjoyed this book, and will be reading the second as soon as I get a chance. So, on to my review!

Title: A Life, Redefined

Author: Tracy Hewitt Meyer
Series: Rowan Slone

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon

Seven years ago, an innocent act by Rowan Slone turned her life into a nightmare. Since the age of ten she's lived with the burden of her baby brother's death. Now she is seventeen and all she wants to do is graduate high school, go to college, and escape the loveless family she has endured all these years—the same family that holds her responsible for his death. But no one holds her responsible more than herself.When long-time crush Mike Anderson invites her to the Prom, suddenly her future looks brighter. Rowan's younger sister, Trina, however, is determined to ruin her new-found happiness, no matter the cost. And when Rowan discovers her mother’s long-held secret, she finds herself teetering on the edge of an abyss. Can Rowan find the strength to move toward the future or is she doomed to dwell in the past?

I don't know what I was expecting when I went into this novel, but I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It's definitely more deep and emotional, not light and fluffy. It was one of those books I didn't want to put down, I just wanted to keep going. I read almost all of it in one sitting, a rarity for me nowadays.

Seven years ago, Rowan was led to believe that she was responsible for killing her baby brother. Her family is broken, with a father who holds her in contempt, a morbidly obese mother who sleeps all day, and younger sister that is out of control. Rowan just wants to get good grades and get out of this place.

Honestly, when Mike was first introduced, I thought it was going to be one of those "Girl has huge crush on super hot, really popular guy who shockingly does pay attention to her but turns out to be a joke/he's a huge jerk/something". So I am pleased to announce that Mike actually was just a nice guy.

I liked Rowan. She's been dealt a hard lot in life, yet she still stays focused on her goal, of going to college and getting out of her terrible house. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to go through the things that she did. But Rowan was a very complex, well-rounded character, and was very well written. I ached for her when sad things happened, I felt happy for her when (rare) happy things occurred. I felt the myriad of emotions right alongside Rowan.

I also like how Meyer spotlighted on deeper issues, like cutting. Rowan is a very strong character, and it was nice to be able to see inside her head for issues like this.

The pacing was well-done also. Even in parts where not as many things seemed to be happening, there was never a lull or a time when I was bored with the story. And maybe I was just too caught up in the story to think about it, but the twist in the end did catch me by surprise.

This was a very good book that I would definitely recommend. Meyer has a great writing style that will suck you in and hold you. Even if this isn't your normal type of book, I think you would enjoy it. But be warned, this isn't something light and fluffy. It is definitely deeper and more emotional.

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Tracy Hewitt Meyer:

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Tracy Hewitt Meyer is a multi-genre, multi-published author of new adult fiction as well as adult paranormal and contemporary romance. She has a B.A. in English and a Master of Social Work, both of which feed her true passion-a love of writing. Born and raised in the beautiful state of West Virginia, Tracy now lives in the mid-east with her family, a goldendoodle, and a bearded dragon.