| Title | : | Love: A Tangled Knot |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 341 |
| Publication | : | First published September 17, 2013 |
2019 American Fiction Awards Finalist - Coming of Age, Family Saga, Inspirational, New Age Fiction, Romance/General
Love: A Tangled Knot Reviews
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Once again, Ms. Chang-Lim manages to weave a well-crafted, beautiful tale of love, coupled with all the conflicts and trials of relationships. A VERY well written, page turner! Highly recommend!
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I read this book via an Amazon-US KINDLE download.
While this book fits this genre quite well, I feel it also might be suitable for the more mature YA reader as well.
Young lovers who seemed to be smitten by each other from time to time make errors, errors which can and will have a profound effect on their lives. The biggest of these is when the young woman and high school senior winds getting pregnant by the guy she’s apparently in love with. In this book by the author, Eichin Chang-Lim, Kayla O’Neill is the young woman and Russell Mancini is the guy.
Given his age, I loved the fact he accepted his responsibility for having given into temptation, violating his Catholic faith in causing Kayla to become pregnant because of the premarital sex they had engaged in.
Fate as a way of making things happen, which is how Russell wound being in the wrong place and at the wrong time, and winds up being incarcerated in federal prison for seven years. Seven years is not bad when you consider it might have been much longer. He had gotten the shorter sentence because of the saving factors which came out during the trial, which the judge had thoughtfully taken into when he pronounced Russell’s sentence:
“Mr. Mancini, although you have been found guilty on all charges, in light of the fact that you are a first-time offender, your gainful employment, and your apparently sincere remorse, the court has decided not to sentence you to maximum term proposed by the prosecution.”
Kayla had a hard time in staying committed to her marriage, but due to her love for Russell, and her desire to keep their family together, she succeeded.
As would be expected, Russell had an extremely difficult time in finding work so he could be the husband and father he’s determined to be.
Love might be a splendid thing, but being a child of the 1950’s, the song “Young Love, First Love” by Sonny James came to mind my mind as I read this book:
They say for every boy and girl
There's just one love in this whole world
And I know I've found mine
The heavenly touch of your embrace
Tells me no one could take your place
Ever in my heart
Young love (young love), first love (first love)
Filled with true devotion
Young love (young love), our love (our love)
We share with deep emotion……..
Fate had thrown Russell a curve ball which landed him in federal prison for the past seven years. Did fate have an ultimate reason for allowing this to happen? Will fate now come back and set things for Russell and his reunited family, so he can provide them with everything a good husband and father should? I’m not saying. But I am giving Ms. Chang-Lim the 5 STARS this book deserves. -
As readers, we search the pages of a book to find something. Most of the time, we search for a means of entertainment, relaxation or just to pick up a book to pass the time. What we fail to realize at times is that we are searching for more than "just a story". We search for true meanings that will allow us to take on life's challenges with strength and the purest of heart.
Have I lost you? Stay with me here. Ms Chang-Lim took me on that search when I opened the pages of this well-defined and meaningful journey of life's challenges wrapped up in the most powerful feeling we all could possibly possess, love.
I felt the passion Kayla & Russell had for each other as life's difficulties made them stronger through their early years when most would have given up.
We all make mistakes, some are greater than others and Russell ends up making a decision which imprisons him testing the true love between him & Kayla.
I am a firm believer in never giving up and I took that from these pages with faith, hope and love. That, is what I found in my search through these words that define life for so many people.
Although this book ends abruptly, I know why Ms Chang-Lim did what she did. She has me thirsting for more of her writing. Yes, I could go on how this story unfolds, but I would do an injustice for all those who enjoy a good search through pages to fine their own meaning.
I invite you to pick up a copy of Tough Scratches, Book One and you will realize that life isn't fair; however, the power and passion of love will carry those who embody its true potential. -
'Tough Scratches' is the debut novel of Taiwan-born Eichin Chang-Lim.
Being a frequent reviewer of independently-published books, I often find myself reading material that is outside of my preferred genres. Nevertheless, I must confess to approaching this YA coming-of-age romance with a greater-than-usual degree of trepidation.
I need not have worried.
Ms. Chang-Lim approaches the story without sentimentality and the cloying (and sometimes irritating) emotions accompanying many rite-of-passage/romance tales. Her protagonist, Kayla, is a level-headed young lady who deals with the tribulations that life throws at her with stoicism and courage. The writing is concise and unfussy, and I enjoyed the way the author gave us 'slices' of Kayla's life over several years, rather than bogging down the narrative in spurious detail.
'Tough Scratches' is a quick read - ideal for the beach, or for putting your feet up on a cold afternoon - but is no less rewarding for that. It is an optimistic novel, dealing with the finer aspects of human endurance in the face of adversity. Ultimately, it is about the redemptive power of love: a thought we should all cling onto. -
A Tangled Knot captured me right from the beginning to end you will love Russell and Kayla’s characters by making mistakes in life we all know we will pay the consequences in every bad decisions. This story is reality of life we all should learn no matter how good a person is things could spiral out of control even when you’re not at fault you could be at the wrong place Russell makes a wrong choice that will affect everyone’s life and pay the price for years. Fantastic story a page-turner has love, drama, captivating and much more it was written beautifully I recommend this book! It’s amazing and intriguing.
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A Touching Love Story
Kayla has ideas about what she wants to do with her life. Her friend Breeana’s head is full of boys. Then Russel turns up and turns Kayla’s world upside down.
Kayla falls in love and everything else goes out of her head. Russel is as infatuated, and the result is predictable.
From then on everything goes wrong for the two hapless lovers. Imprisonment, Infatuation leads to love, an unplanned pregnancy, and finally Russel’s wish to please his Kayla results in a long prison sentence.
The reader must suffer with the young pair through the tangled knot of their love story. Eichin Chang-Lim presents a coming-of-age story that touches as well as infuriates. With deep insight into human nature, and with compassion, Ms Chang-Lim convinces her readers that life is unpredictable but still worth the struggle. -
As the title indicates, love can be a tangled knot, but is it possible for it to be untangled? This novel explores both sides of that issue in a well-written story that this slow reader went through in record time. Starting in high school, the story follows the lives of Kayla and Russell, their ups and especially their downs. I loved the ending, which I won’t reveal, but what it took to get them there was a testament to love and forgiveness. This is a good, clean romance that I recommend to anyone seeking a love-infused, inspirational read.
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great story
Relationships can be so dang hard. This was a great love story. There were lots of ups and downs but I like the way it turned out. -
I loved this book! It was full of clean romance, and dealing with the tough stuff of life when facing the consequences of a bad decision. I loved how Kayla and Russell remained devoted and strong in their relationship with one another through teenage pregnancy, single parenthood, prison, forced separation.
I have the greatest respect for those people who face difficulties and are able to not only face their situations, but improve their situations as Kayla worked at throughout the novel. I found myself practically cheering for Russell as he not to desert Kayla but worked hard to support her as best he could, until one of his actions resulted in tragic consequences.
This was a very inspiring novel showing courage and strength on the part of both Kayla and Russell. Through a seven year prison sentence with only a couple of visits in all that time, their love has remained strong and they have been faithful to one another.
As Russell’s prison term nears an end, Kayla meets someone and she finds herself attracted to him. Then the book ends. I thought that the ending of this book was rather abrupt and there was no real conclusion to this story. It was rather like the cliff-hanger at the end of a season on a television show.
I thought the characters were realistic and believable. The book flowed nicely. I liked the message that love and hope are powerful in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Other than the abrupt ending to the book, I thought it was a delightful read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I gave it 4 stars.
Thank you to the author who provided a free review copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own. -
4 1/2
Here's a book that a lot of people can relate to, I know I could.
Kayla and Russell are high school sweethearts who have to grow up quickly. Life, many times, destroys love, however, there are times when love endures. This is that kind of story. Kayla stands by her man through thick and thin, and Russell learns how to be a man, taking care of his responsibilities.
This is a well-written story, which holds your interest. A short read at about 160 pages, it flows and the characters are believable. My complaint is the abrupt ending. It makes the book seem unfinished and isn't enough of a dramatic cliffhanger to draw you in to wait for the next installment. I would, however, recommend this book. I enjoyed it. -
This was a beautifully written emotional ride about teenage Kayla. It was fast-paced and kept you turning the pages to see what could possibly happen to her next. Follow Kayla through her teenage years as she attempts to overcome the many obstacles that lay before her. I'm looking forward to see where the story goes from here. Well done by a very talented author.
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A well-written story of love between two people who fall in love while in high school. Kayla gets pregnant and Russell wants to give her an appropriate wedding and ring. However, Russell makes a fatal decision that challenges their unconditional love. Is Kayla strong enough to raise her daughter on her own? Can Russell move on with his life?
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A heartfelt and timeless story of a young woman overcoming hardship against all odds...very sweet! ♡ :) Mark
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A heartwarming read
Ordered this book through Kindle Unlimited, enjoyed the story very much. Eichin Chang-Lim is a talented author. A lovely, heartwarming read. Five stars. -
A touching story!
This journey takes you through about ten years of the main character's, Kayla and Russell's, lives. It's story about love, loss, temptation, courage, and faithfulness.
Two young lovers find themselves in a predicament beyond their wildest dreams. Do they have the tenacity to overcome all of the adversity, or will the trials they face tear them apart?
I found myself riveted to this story from start to finish. The author did a wonderful job bringing the loveable characters to life and making you feel their emotions! You will be rooting for them all the way through!
Very well written! Kudos to the author! I look forward to another of her books! -
I thoroughly enjoyed being invited into the lives of Kayla & Russell. The quick pace of the storytelling felt like a reflection of how life feels sometimes, which made "Tough Scratches" even more relatable; life keeps happening, even when it does not feel pleasant. This really puts the reader behind Kayla, pushing for her to get back up again & persevere. She's the everyday hero, the face we may look past in the grocery store, but see staring back at us in the mirror.
It felt great to read "Tough Scratches". Chang-Lim skillfully crafted a light & fun story with a much deeper meaning & reminder: Regardless of what life throws at you, you must always get back up again. Always believe.
Kudos to Chang-Lim on her debut work! Well done!
