Song of the Fireflies

Amazing

J.A. Redmerski did a wonderful thing with this book! Amazingly written! I love the reality of the book and how it intertwines the definition of True Love and real life issues! I love all her books and Song of The Fireflies doesn't disappoint!!! A must Read!!

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I didn't get Brayelle and if I'm being honest, what I did unders

I didn't get Brayelle and if I'm being honest, what I did understand about her, I didn't like. It was apparent that something was wrong with her from the start, and that was touched on later in the book, but not before the damage had been done. Elias was so very devoted to her, but I just couldn't understand what he saw in Brayelle and why he continually put her ahead of himself. She just wasn't a very nice person. He was obviously seeing something different in her than what I saw. Elias was still flawed, but not to the extent that Brayelle was. I actually liked his character, despite wanting sometimes to yell at him for some of the things going on.

This was was a heavy book and it was an emotional read. It was an interesting mix of the NA books I'm used to and some of the darker books I've come to really enjoy over the last few months. I liked that the author confronted issues head on, but I just had a really difficult time with this one. The writing was excellent, as I've come to expect from J.A. Redmerski and the book took me through a myriad of emotions, but overall just left me confused. It kept me interested, despite not really connecting to the main character. I kept waiting for Brayelle and Eli to do the right thing. I kept hoping Brayelle would find a way to redeem herself in my eyes. Unfortunately that redemption never really came, in my eyes. There was eventually hope in all the darkness, but it came almost too late for me.

I still love J.A. Redmerski and will continue to read her books. I've loved every one of them up until this standalone. It wasn't a bad book, and I didn't dislike it, but it's far from my favorite of her works. A secret about me and books? If I can't connect with the main character, I have a very difficult time enjoying the book. That was definitely the case here.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

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I loved Song of the Fireflies; we see such a strong love and str

I loved Song of the Fireflies; we see such a strong love and strong connection between these characters. The home lives they both live are so different from one another yet they are one when they are together.
Only if they could get it right in the relationship department but that wouldn't be much fun and we wouldn't get the amazing story I just read! I couldn't put this book down. My heart hurt when theirs did, I laughed right along with them. Sometimes I was like you have to be joking me could this girls luck get any worse.
 But most of all we see the struggle that she not only faces every day but did her whole life and no one not even her parents supported her and that makes me so sad because believe it or not it happens more often than not! Mental illness gets over looked and or parents just don't want to have a child with a mental illness. 
This Story hit Close to home for me, I have not only dealt with some of these things in my own life but have family members that I have watched my whole life go up and down and someone or many people turn a blind eye. Why I don't really know but It is upsetting to me and I feel as though this is something that need to be talked about and not look down on so much and I love that J.A. Redmerski did just that in Songs Of The Fireflies, I hope that someone that reads this book gets that little bit of hope that they need from reading it! It's beautifully written right down to the ugly and dirty truths. 
 Seeing all the problems and struggles these two went through I’m so glad that she had her best friend there for her from the moment they meet.




Songs of the Fireflies is most certainty 5 plus stars and I would buy it for my family and friends in a heartbeat. It's a must read!

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Loved it

I'm not sure how people can say this was boring. There was action throughout the entire book. Yes it was dark and raw, but life is sometimes. The author was telling their story of growth. They mess up, make mistakes, and let love blind them. But its beautiful because they become better people throughout this terrible, crazy life of theirs. I will warn you that it can be hard to read if you relate to them like I could, but it was an incredible story for me! Their's just happened to be more tragic than others.

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Must read to believe...

This story is dark... & depressing at times. But I found that I didnt want to put it down... & wanted to know what happened next. You must read to believe that even in the darkest hour.. there is light shining at the end of the tunnel. This book does end with a happy ending. & you wont be dissapointed.

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highly recommend

J.A. REDMERSKI IS ONE OF THE BEST AUTHORS. I LOVE EVERY BOOK SHE HAS WRITTEN!

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Ok read

So I purchased this book on accident but I loved the authors other books so it was an ok error. I did not connect to this book ar all. I'm glad this has a different story line than most of the other new adult books but I was kind of bored. I feel like she spent too much time on the runaway stuff and then fast fwds through the later years. I would have liked it if the author eent into exp,aining the disorder more and not waiting to state the exact disorder until the very end.

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JA Redmerski does it again!

A very dark read but stay with this book! Tragic and beautiful love story that looks at the depths mental illness can take you to. Even in your darkess hours love really saves

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Depressing

Dark and boring

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Hush

< > with a 'p' in the middle. I do it twice. < p > and < p >, without the spaces. I also add a paragraph indent with < br >

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Loved their story

Redmerski does it again! I have loved every single book by this author and this one certainly did not disapoint. I preordered this right after reading about camryn and andrew and couldn't wait for it!

Their story is definitely a lot darker and has some really heart-wrenching moments that will have you gripping your nook because you have to know that everything will be okay, but you're too afraid to keep turning the page. And of course, there are also some pretty steamy scenes that come along with any great romance novel! I stayed up all night trying to finish this because I just couldn't put it down.

Grab this book, its seriously amazing and you won't be disappointed.

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3.5/5 stars I was in no way emotionally prepared for Song of th

3.5/5 stars

I was in no way emotionally prepared for Song of the Fireflies. It is a journey that is filled with beauty and heartbreak. When we briefly met in Elias and Bray in The Edge of Always, I had no idea just how much these two had gone through to be together what they will have to undergo to stay that way. This book is so much darker and heavier than Camryn and Andrew's.

My heart broke for Bray. She suffers from something beyond her control and affects who she is and how she handles situations. She has loved Elias since childhood but has so many fears when it comes to him. He is the one constant in her life who doesn't disappoint her or feel she isn't enough and she is terrified of losing him.

Elias has been in love with Bray since they were kids also. His most cherished memory is one where they caught fireflies together. It is symbolic of a time where things were simpler. Both burned so brightly and were unchanged by the world and its expectations. The night with the fireflies symbolizes freedom which is why both of them hold it so close to their hearts.

Bray was such a challenging character. Elias is everything to her and she has no idea just how much she means to him. She knows he loves her, but he will literally go to the ends of the earth for her, which is why it was so hard to see her hurt him. She tries to push him away in the beginning, but realizes she doesn't want that. She needs him in her life and believing otherwise is a sad excuse for the truth.

I couldn't believe the direction this novel took. It was unexpected and completely bound Elias and Bray together in a way neither planned. Their love for one another is what keeps them going and is tested in every way imaginable. Both are terrified of the consequences of their actions and are afraid of what it will mean for them. Elias is the voice of reason, but when it comes to Bray- all reason flies out the door.

As serious of an undertone this book has, Bray and Elias's vagabond lifestyle reminded me of Kerouac and the Beat Generation. The people they meet along the way play a significant role in their lives and they find both unexpected friendship and betrayal as they continue on their journey.

Bray loves Elias but knows its wrong to keep him from living his own life. He is always there for her and she starts to feel as if she doesn't know how to stand on her own. This is a really big revelation on Bray's part, and as much as she tries to distance herself, he won't allow it.

The whole book I was afraid Elias would start to resent Bray for her choices and how they affected him. He does a bit, but his devotion to her far outweighs that resentment.

Overall, this was an emotionally taxing book filled with its ups and downs. I felt Redmerski did a great job with her pacing and creating such deeply broken characters.

The struggles both Elias and Bray must overcome will break your heart but their absolute love for each other will leave it full and hopeful that these two can come out on the other side still intact and together.

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...

Ehhh I really didn't enjoy this. The main characters were kind of gross and the writing style was pretty dull. I enjoyed other works from this author, but unfortunately this one fell far from the mark.

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 Song of the Fireflies is a lot different that some of the other

 Song of the Fireflies is a lot different that some of the other things I've read so far from J.A. Redmerski.  It is very dark and raw with characters that are flawed and far from perfect.  Elias and Bray's story is hard to read sometimes because it is so emotional and heartbreaking.  It is told from both Elias and Bray's point of view.  I really liked Elias, and Bray did grow on me.  One thing I did like was that the two stuck together in spite of everything they went through.   J.A. Redmerski addresses suicide, drug use, and the inner demons that plaque and effect the characters.  I don't think this story is going to be something that everyone will enjoy, but I do think there will be people who embrace Bray and Elias and will really like it.  I was somewhat in the middle.  It isn't one of my favorite works by this author, but it was good for the most part, and I was really pleased with the ending, despite the emotionally rough road that I had to take on the journey. 

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Bree

Thanks.

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Brayelle Bates and Elias Kline have known known each other since

Brayelle Bates and Elias Kline have known known each other since they were children. Elias knew from the moment he saw Bray that he loved her, even if it was just a child's love. As they grew their relationship evolved with them. First and foremost they were best friends, doing everything together, but they came together to practice kissing or have certain firsts with each other.

Four months after finally giving in to each other, to start a romantic relationship, Bray gives up and moves to South Carolina. She always knew being with Elias would be too much, that it would forever define their relationship, and if it ever ended, it would break them both. But she came back to Georgia and not only wanted to be with Elias again, but she needed to be with him. They both knew they would never be happy if they weren't together.

Living in new relationship bliss they felt like nothing could come between them. But when a horrible accident occurs and they both flee, their relationship is forever changed. Elias learns far more about Brayelle than he ever knew, the darkness that has always been there right under the surface. They learned just how far they would go for each other...

Song of The Fireflies is one book I could not put down. I was instantly drawn in by Elias and how much he loved Bray. It was tremendously cute how they became friends and then when their relationship continued to evolve I just fell more in love.

J. A. Redmerski has a way of making me love her books and I don't really get it. It could be because the stories and good or that it's so easy for me to relate to her characters. Fireflies was definitely the latter. I was able to relate to Bray more than I would have liked, to have that deep depression, to not have anyone around that really supports you or even seems to love you. My heart broke for Bray over and over again.

I really loved how most of the book was from Elias' POV. I love when books are from the POV of the hero and while this is still dual POV, the majority of it was Elias. I feel like it gave it something more because overall I feel like this is more Elias' story than Brayelle's.

I did feel like the relationship between the two leads was a bit obsessive. I understand loving someone, and having loved them for years, but there can be something unhealthy about it. The way the two obsessed over their love, and each other did rub me a little the wrong way. But in a way, I got it. It fit well with Bray's illness.
&quot;It's too much when a person's life revolves around another person.&quot;

Lastly, what is is about J.A. Redmerski that makes her write about sensitive topics? Fireflies is no different, obviously. Bray's illness can be crippling and it was written beautifully. There was nothing about it that put her, or the illness down. There was nothing that made light of it either. That's something that I really hate about books that include a mental illness, most of the time it's so far from the truth that I just cannot get into it. But this one? Absolutely perfect with it's realism.
&quot;Because I loved her for the way she was. I never pushed her away. I accepted her and everything about her, and the only way I saw her differently from anyone else was that I loved her, unlike anyone else.&quot; 

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I read an excerpt of this book in The Edge of Always. Immediatel

I read an excerpt of this book in The Edge of Always. Immediately, I went to Barnes &amp; Noble and pre-ordered the book. Then, I saw a tweet from the author about it being available on Netgalley. After not hearing anything after a few days, I was pretty sure that I wouldn’t receive the book early. Then, on Christmas Eve, APPROVED! Woohoo! Anyway…

The story is told from both the perspectives of Elias and Bray. I felt more connected with Elias than I did Bray. I found this somewhat odd as I believe I have more in common with Bray than I do Elias. Either way, this didn’t really influence how I felt about the book, but I was a bit surprised. Overall, the two perspectives didn’t do much for me here. While it didn’t hurt the book, I think it might have been stronger if it had only been told from Elias’ point of view.

Wow, oh wow. This story was so much more than what I thought it was going to be. Yeah, it’s a love story, but it’s so much more than that. It was darker and more intense than what you’d expect from a romance. On top of it being such a good book, it definitely gets extra points for being a stand-alone novel.

While I’ve only read two other books by J. A. Redmerski, this one is definitely my favorite so far.

* This book was received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. *

Be sure to check out all of my reviews on my blog, KDH Reviews.

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My rating: 4.5 of 5 ¿¿ Friends since their first encount

My rating: 4.5 of 5 ¿¿








Friends since their first encounter at nine years old, Elias and Bray have stayed close. Other than using each other for practise, they never developed into something more, always to scared to risk their friendship. It wasn't until much later, when after a long separation they finally gave in to what had been obvious for so long. 




Enjoying their new status as a couple brings some jealousy to the surface within a group of friends. As a result of a horrible accident on a group camping trip, Bray and Elias decide to take off and leave everything and everyone behind. With only their car and a limited amount of money they hit the road. 




But when they end up without money and car, at the mercy of two brothers and their group of girlfriends, second thoughts begin to set in. Rather than straightening out their troubles, hanging around with the new group only seems to bring them more problems.  




When the choice is taken away from them and Bray is taken away in handcuffs, Elias isn't sure whether he will ever see her again......




*****




It will tear your heart up......it will put a smile on your face.....it will shock and disgust you......it will lift your spirits..... This book will have you run the gamut of emotions and impressions, thoughts and feelings. It will test your limits of understanding and empathy and your knowledge of mental illness and it's devastating effects, and if you will allow for an open mind and spare your judgements, just go with the flow, you will hopefully find yourself as invested in this book as I was. 




It didn't start out that way, I had a bit of trouble early on, getting into the characters and the flow of the story. I didn't get the depth of the emotional issues early on.... and therefore couldn't grasp some of the behavior or reactions. Once I realized we were dealing with a mental illness, and one I am actually quite familiar with, all the pieces of the puzzle started coming together, and what seemed unexplained irrational behavior before, was now explained.




Yes this is a love story, but it is also a story about living with a crippling disease that is invisible to the eye. One that has a tremendous amount of stigma attached to it  and therefore the person who suffers it becomes tainted with that stigma as well. Enter Bray......who was more known and judged and treated for the symptoms of her illness, than she was for the illness itself. Left to cope by herself from an early age on, it is no wonder that judgement may not always have been sound or wise. Where were her examples? 




Her only true constant had always been Elias, who saw her as she was and never asked, wanted or loved anything else, just her. Elias has always known Bray had something special, it was precisely the reason he loved her. His is something of an obsession and although for a while he tries to give Bray her space when she demands, he is willing to completely throw out his own sense of right, his own moral compass, to appease her ........or rather her anxiety. It takes him quite a while to grow a bit of a spine and set out some rules, but with someone as unstable as Bray, he has to tread a fine line.




The supporting cast was equally intriguing and at the same time disturbing. A group of young people who seemed to be trying everything and anything to escape. Whether it be the boring daily realities of their lives or some tragedy, or as in the case of Bray and Elias, a terrible lapse in judgement. They even encounter Andrew and Cameron, familiar faces for us from THE EDGE OF NEVER and THE EDGE OF ALWAYS. The scenes they feature in will be easily recognized by those who have read the books. 




The writing is once again fabulous, J. A. Redmerski does not disappoint. The story is much darker and more disturbing than what the previous two books have shown. But the subject matter requires it. And it remains a beautiful story, as long as you are willing to travel the painful road with Elias and Bray. That's about as real as life can get.




¿A dark, dangerous and hauntingly beautiful love story.¿




**ARC provided by NetGalley and Forever in return for an honest review.**

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I have to admit I was worried when I started this one. Many peop

I have to admit I was worried when I started this one. Many people who read the same books as me were not as pleased with this work of Redmerski. Like them, I love Redmerski's writing and The Edge of Never was probably one of the best books I've read. I agree this book was definitely different, but I enjoyed it, kind of how I liked Thelma and Louise way back when.




Bray was definitely one messed up character but I love the devotion that Elias has to her. These two were definitely made for each other. They were faced with a crazy situation and unfortunately, bad choices were made. Everything comes to a head but eventually everything works out. 




Some scenes had my heart breaking for Elias. He went through so much for Bray and I think that makes him an awesome book boyfriend. I love how they showed the connection to Andrew and Camryn and we relived that crazy beach scene. Make no mistake, this is a very dark story with elements of drugs, mental illness and suicide. But I also found it to be a book of healing and hope and find it worth recommending as Redmerski's writing is always great!!! 




Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

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