Review: This Sky by Autumn Doughton

ThisSkyThis Sky
By: Autumn Doughton
Publisher: Self-Published
Published: Aug. 12, 2014
Genre: New Adult Romance
Rating:

When he touches me, the sky and the earth switch places

Gemma Sayers has spent the last six days rotting in a hotel room, wallowing in a noxious combination of gin, junk food and self-pity. She’s no stranger to disappointment but nothing could have prepared her for the chaos that unfolded when her celebrity boyfriend publicly humiliated her. Now the fairytale is officially over and Gemma is determined to put the past behind her and strike out to find a new dream. Just a few teeny-tiny details to work out: she’s currently broke, homeless and unemployed.

Landon Young has his own worries. Surfer by day and bartender by night, he doesn’t have the interest or the time to be anyone’s happily-ever-after. Weighed down by the memory of what happened two years ago, Landon can barely keep his head above water.

 

 

1thoughtsGemma just came out of a nasty break-up. Probably the nastiest of them all. Trust me, you have no idea. You see, her boyfriend is the star of a hit TV show. That’s not what made the break-up bad. It wasn’t even the fact that he cheated on her. Or the fact that the general public found out and plastered it on every gossip magazine. No. What made Gemma’s break-up the worst was the fact that he was caught on camera screwing the waitress at the restaurant that he and Gemma were eating at, when Gemma walked in on them and fainted. Yup, all of that was caught on tape by a fan hiding out in a bathroom stall and was uploaded online for all to see. So what’s a girl to do when her boyfriend gets caught pants down in a restaurant bathroom with the whole world watching? She packs up her car, hides out in a scummy hotel for a bit, puts her big girl panties on, and drives a couple hours out of the city to stay with her best friend.

Let me just say that I am shocked that I snagged a copy of this book for free. Sure, there were some errors that could have used a good editorial scrub-down but nothing like what I’ve experienced when I’ve read freebies before. This had a solid story. One that wasn’t just black and white. It had lovable characters. It also didn’t have any crazy eye-roll-worthy drama, or cheesy romance scenes. It was just down to earth and real.

Gemma was a solid character. She didn’t roll over and die when life knocked her down. Granted, the story starts off with her in a rather low place of junk food, infomercials, a crappy hotel, and lack of personal hygiene. However, she soon snaps out of it and gets her act together. Different obstacles are thrown her way throughout the story but she overcomes them and moves on. Plus, she has her trusty sidekick, Weebit, her chinchilla.

Landon was one of those characters that you couldn’t help but love. He’s quiet in the beginning and seems to keep his distance from everyone. However, he sees the struggle and pain in Gemma and opens up to her. He invites her out to the beach with him to learn to surf. He talks to her and confides in her. He was just a really likable guy. He definitely wasn’t one of those arrogant bad-boys that you see all too much in new adult novels. He was just a genuine guy who was struggling through the outcome of some bad choices he made as a kid.

I cannot say enough good things about This Sky. I’m still flabbergasted that I got it for free. (Thanks, Jen, for the heads up!) The author has a really great writing voice. She doesn’t try to bullshit you with fancy words or heavy descriptions. Like I said, the story is just there, it’s real. I felt like I was there with them. Like I was reliving a memory or something. Not to mention that the author is HILARIOUS! I was snickering more times than I could count. I’m totally fan-girling over here and I can’t get a coherent review out. So, I’ll end it like this. If you are in the market for a new adult romance that doesn’t revolve around explicit sex, has a crap ton of humor, and lovable characters… THEN GET THIS BOOK!

 

1favequote“I rang? Are you kidding me with this, Gemma? What the hell is going on and what did your text mean? ‘She is risen?’ Are we talking like a vampire rising or a second coming? Because if you’ve started having religious delusions about God speaking to you through a Jesus-shaped tortilla chip or something, I am going to drive there and beat you over the head with an umbrella.”

“Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Catch a rebound by the toe. If he smells bad, let him go. My best friend said to pick the very best one and you are it!”

 

 

6 Thoughts on “Review: This Sky by Autumn Doughton

  1. I love when freebies work out so nicely!!

  2. I love “down to Earth and real” reads :). And you had me after you mentioned how hilarious the book was–I was getting that sense, but you confirmed it with that lol quote from the book! Will definitely have to check out “This Sky.” Sounds like a great read with loveable characters who I might really be able to get attached to.
    Nice review,
    Ninja Girl

  3. Score!

    Not my genre and the plot isn’t really my cuppa. Don’t like “star” romances. BUT this does sound like it has a lot of heart in it.

  4. Ahaha, this book looks adorable. It definitely sounds down-to-earth, which I look for if the book isn’t steeped in fantasy (it’s my trying to “branch out” of reading habits). This is a great review, aaannndd I just bought the ebook. I can’t wait to read it, thanks for sharing!! 😀

  5. OMG, what a horrible situation. I love books that start off with a bang like that.

  6. Okay – I got the book! 😉 Yes, even before I left a comment. *haha* I really like the sound of this. I love that Gemma ‘put her big girl panties’ on and faced the world. I love how genuine Landon sounds. I really love that it “didn’t have any crazy eye-roll-worthy drama, or cheesy romance scenes.” <– That's not something you find in NA typically. So you sold me, Kristin. Now I just have to find time to read it. 🙂

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