Review: Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle

A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can't get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.

It's not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma's name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go even when you know you have to say goodbye.

Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Expected publication: March 31st 2015 by Atria Books 

Genre: New Adult

Kristine's Thoughts:

I received an advanced readers copy from Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I'll start out with the positive points of this book. I really liked the cover and the title but unfortunately that is where it ends for me.

In the interest of being honest, as I am with all my thoughts, I can say that I disliked this book to the point of hating it. I always feel guilty when I dislike a book this much because I recognise the author's effort but to lie would serve no purpose.

Why didn't I like it??

Josh and Gemma had a one night stand on the eve of her returning home to New Zealand. I think there was an attempt to give the characters an emotional connection on top of the physical but it fell flat and just wasn't there. Basically it felt like a cheap and drunken hook up between two drunk people at a party. Next thing you know, Josh is backpacking to New Zealand because he can't get Gemma out of his head. At this point I couldn't help but think that it was the worlds most expensive booty call. It just felt ridiculous.

The characters didn't really have an impact on me. Their development was weak which left me not caring a whole lot about them. They all seemed shallow and immature and felt more like high school kids than in their early twenties. Add in a fairly weak plot and it just didn't cut it for me.

I will say that if you are looking to learn a little about the New Zealand countryside you will find some interesting parts to the story. It reads a little like a map and is the only aspect of the story that held any appeal to me.

This book just wasn't for me but with the pretty cover and title I feel like people will pick it up regardless of the reviews.

About the Author

Karina Halle is a former travel writer and rock music journalist and the USA TODAY bestselling author of Love, in English, The Artists Trilogy, Experiment in Terror and other wild and romantic reads. She lives in a 1920's farmhouse on a bucolic island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails, and devours a lot of books.

Connect with Karina

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