Touching the Surface
Experience the afterlife in this lyrical, paranormal debut novel that will send your heart soaring.When Elliot finds herself dead for the third time, she knows she must have messed up, big-time. She doesn’t remember how she landed in the afterlife again, but she knows this is her last chance to get things right.Elliot just wants to move on, but first she will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.
As she pieces together the secrets and mistakes of her past, Elliot must find a way to earn the forgiveness of the person she’s hurt most, and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.
You know how it is, you have tons of books on your TBR pile but then more and more books are coming and then…. When Kimberly Sabatani asked me if I wanted to review her book I was excited and immediately said yes.
What can we learn from Life?
That is one of the most basic questions and Kimberly Sabatani beautifully addressed this in a paranormal after-life setting. Each Soul goes to an after life place to examine what they learned and maybe also buried in their previous life span. Elliot already had the chance to live 3 times and should have already managed to learn from her mistakes and examine carefully her soul. But, it’s not as easy as it seems and Elliot struggles hard. Especially considering that this is her very last try. Each Soul has 3 chances and this is her last!
Elliot – lost soul with deep buried secrets
Needless to say Elliott is confused and scared when she comes to the after life again. And I must say that she’s not the easiest character to love and connect to. But, this is part of the allure of the story. We need to go deeper into the emotions and depth of her soul to understand and finally love her. I found it a fascinating development to see Eliot grow during the process and it was easy to develop our opinion of her along with her own understandings. Eliot is not without fault, but that makes her even more genuine and real.
Colorful Cast of Characters and deep connections
What I loved most about the story, apart from it’s beautiful setting was the connection and growth between the characters. We have a great cast of supporting characters both male and female that all had their share of secrets that made them just more intriguing. Their is a lot of love between the characters and not only the romantic one, but also the love between friends that runs deeper than normal friendship. I especially loved and cherished these moments as they were filled with tender emotions. Also the romance is rather slowly building up, but the pace was perfect for the story. My only concern was that the ending came rather rushed and especially Julia (Eliot’s Best Friend) disappeared a little too fast. Also, it took me some time to grasps the basics of the after-life.
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini was a touching and wonderful deep debut, which goes deep into the basics of human relations and the growth of a soul during a life span. Especially the tender, loving portrayed relationships between friends, soul mates and lovers was beautifully implemented.
Additional Info
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Haven’t read it but it sounds like something I’d like.
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I have this on hold at the library. 🙂 It sounds great. Awesome review, I want even more now.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
Jenea @ Books Live Forever recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday #39 Snakeroot (Nightshade #4) by Andrea Cremer and The Waking Dark by Robin Wasserman
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Ooh, I like the idea of three chances! If you don’t get it right those three times, you’re out! And I do like a difficult character, as long as I get to like her in some way by the end.
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Waiting On…THE NATURALS by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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I’ve heard really great things about this book! I have a copy that I received unsolicited from the publisher but haven’t read it yet. I’ll have to bump it up my TBR pile now 🙂
KM recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: Out of Play, by Jolene Perry & Nyrae Dawn
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This sounds like something I’d really like! slow-building romances are my favourite kind, but I’m also glad to hear there are deeper and further relationships explored in this book. I’ll have to pick it up eventually. I didn’t realise it had already been released! It’s hard to keep track sometimes. 😉
Fantastic review, Danny!
Sam @ Realm of Fiction recently posted..Review: Unremembered by Jessica Brody
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I haven’t read this book yet but it sounds like an interesting read. I like the idea of it but curious as to how the author pulls off the lost soul plot seeing as it kind of narrows down the amount of interaction between more characters if the main character is dead.
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Wow, what a fascinating concept. The 3 chances makes me think of A Christmas Carol, although there are obviously a lot of differences. Responding to the rafflecopter question, I haven’t read it yet but I’d definitely like to!
Alison (AlisonCanRead) recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
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Elliott sounds like a character I would grow to love. Love the premise for this book.
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I hadn’t heard of this one before, but I’m adding it to my tbr list now. I especially love the idea of a slow build romance. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
Andrea @ The Busy Bibliophile recently posted..Top Ten Series I’d Like To Start But Haven’t Yet
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I havent read this book, yet.. it is on my tbr list, though.. thanks for the giveaway!!
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This sounds really interesting! And I love the cover. And yes, after that great review… going on my TBR! 😀
Nova Reylin recently posted..Zombie Mondays: Free Zombie Books!!
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I recall seeing this one when it came out but I didnt’t know that it touched on such deep topics. I love books that show a marked growth and I like that this is a thought provoking read. I should check this one out!
Heidi recently posted..A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz: Guest Post and Review
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I haven’t heard of this one before, but it sounds like it has an awesome concept! Three chances to learn from your mistakes? So interesting! It’s great that you enjoyed the main character so much; that always makes for a better read 🙂
Kelly recently posted..WoW: Tumble & Fall
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Sounds great plus the cover is amazing!!!!!!!!!! I love anything that involves soul mates I’m a believer!!
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I’ve been a bit burnt out on YA paranormal but this one sounds pretty interesting. The concept of it all sounds like something I might like. And since you enjoyed it so much I might have to pick this one up in the future!
Candace recently posted..Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
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I would love to read this series. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. Please enter me. Tore923@aol.com
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“What I loved most about the story, apart from it’s beautiful setting was the connection and growth between the characters.” <— Ahhh! Those are my magic words when it comes to adding a book to my TBR pile. I love books that really go into the way platonic relationships grow and develop over time (romance is good too, of course.) And the afterlife is also a really fascinating concept to explore, I think.
Renae @ Respiring Thoughts recently posted..Book Review: A Conspiracy of Alchemists (Chronicle of Light and Shadow #1) by Liesel Schwarz
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I havent read the books but I have the first one! 😀
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Wow, Ive never heard of this one, but your review makes it sound so good!! And that cover…hmmm it looks like that Jenny Pox one…;)
Tina recently posted..Book Review~The Dark Heroine by Abigail Gibbs
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I might be interested in reading it, but two things I tend to hate are angels and reincarnation, though it’s nice to know that the soul-recycling thing has a shelf life in this book.
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I haven’t read this book, but I really want to. It sounds amazing and I love the cover.
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I would love to read this book. I love the excerpt and the story sounds very interesting especially being dead a third time.
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Like the concept! Sounds like it’s right up my alley.
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I have not read this one yet but am sure looking forward to it…
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Awesome review hun. I’ve been wanting to read this for ages but I just haven’t gotten time to buy the book yet. Hopefully soon but I’m so glad you liked it. xoxox
Donna @ Book Passion for Life recently posted..A Joint Review for Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker
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I haven’t read this yet, but the idea is so intriguing! Definitely expecting something a little darker, with deep and insightful meaning. Love these kinds of books that make you take a second look at your own life!
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I so want this book can I have pleaseee
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I haven’t read Touching The Surface, but I would like to. Thanks for having the giveaway.
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So happy you finally read this one and liked it! I love love love Touching the Surface – I just love her prose! It’s stunning.
Erica recently posted..Save the Date for The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau + Giveaway
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This book looks AMAZING!
I hope I win the giveaway! Awesome artwork too! 🙂
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I haven’t read it yet, but I am looking forward to it. I have heard such great things about it, so that is what I am expecting!
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I’ve been reading nothing but raves for this book so I expect it’s just as good. It’s been on my TBR for so long! Hope I can read it soon! 🙂
Dianne recently posted..Cover Reveal: Made of Stars by Kelley York
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