{Review+Giveaway} How to Say I Love You Out Loud by Karole Cozzo @KACozzo @SwoonReads

How to Say I Love You Out Loud by Karole Cozzo
Pages: 240
Published by Swoon Reads on August 4th 2015
Genres: Young Adult, contemporary, Social Issues
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher

Words are strong. Love is stronger.

When Jordyn Michaelson’s autistic brother joins her at her elite school, she’s determined not to let anyone know they're related. Even if that means closing herself off to all her closest friends, including charming football stud Alex Colby. But despite her best intentions, she just can't shake the memory of kissing Alex last summer, and the desire to do it again.

Can Jordyn find the courage to tell Alex how she really feels—and the truth about her family—before he slips away forever?

How to Say I love You out Loud is one of those books that somehow manages to be a really cute romance and read, a tearjerker, as well as something really important and special. I just have so much love for this book. I think everyone needs to read it. It is about Jordyn and her brother Phillip. Phillip is autistic and for unforseen circumstances, he has to start going to Jordyn’s school. Make no mistake, this book is aout Jordyn and her personal journey but Phillip defines Jordyn. (at least she feels that way.) How to Say I love you Out Loud at first glance is a book about Jordyn and her crush Alex, but once you start reading, you realize it is so, so much more than that. It is a really beautiful story.

Just recently, I have come to have a special relationship and better understanding of families with special needs kids. (my firm does a lot of special need trusts, and planning, so I have learned a lot in that arena.) And let me tell you, the amount that I have learned about everything these families go through, is staggering. From all areas of life, the financial commitment, the time commitment, the set backs, the patience, the stress, and the happy milestones. I was reading How to Say I love You Out Loud through these new lenses, and so I thought Karole Cozzo did an amazing job describing Phillip and what it is like to live a day in his life. (Of course, he is just one person on the spectrum, so any number of other individuals will be affected in different ways.) I loved so many things about Phillip. Sure readers may want Phillip to be something different at the end of the story, but I loved that Phillip was still just Phillip in that sense. (and thing else would have felt unrealistic.) But this book is not only accessible to people that have some degree of exposure to people like Phillip. Karole Cozzo ‘s writing invites the reader in, and explains everything in a powerful but easily understood way.

I dare anyone to read this book and not be able to put themselves in Jordyn’s shoes. Whether you think she was being selfish, immature, or acted perfectly, you will be able to relate to her and what she is going through. And yes, I thought all of those things about her while I was reading this story. Sometimes, I thought she could have handled things differently, and sometimes I thought she should give people more of the benefit of the doubt, but I could always see where she was coming from. And that is what makes a good character. Everyone in this book felt read.

And not only does How to Say I love You Out Loud, have an excellent message and deals with complicated issues in easy and accessible ways, but it has a cute romance to boot. I loved the playground Alex was creating, and I plain just loved Alex overall. Who wouldn’t? I just want to hug it so much. I am recommending How to Say I love You out Loud to everyone in my life. It is one of the best books I have read this year. And I have never read another book like it. In my life. This is the book to read in 2015.

 

 

Check out more about this powerful book and extra content HERE. (it is super cool! You don’ want to miss it!) You can read an excerpt and fall in love like I did. This is the book to read in 2015.

How to Say I Love You Out Loud by @KACozzo is the book to read in 2015! @SwoonReads http://bit.ly/1In8oAS @BookBriefs Click To Tweet

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I found out some exciting news for me and my blog this week.

I was nominated for who wears the tweak me theme best award! I’m not sure who nominated me but I am super excited, and I would love love love it if you could vote for my blog, Book Briefs!

You can vote here.  (for any of the blogs. I won’t be upset if you vote for someone else. There are SO MANY beautiful options!) Thank you so much everyone!

https://www.nosegraze.com/vote-tweak-me-design/

To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below to win a finished copy of How to Say I love You Out Loud!

Note: Book Briefs Contest Policy applies.  All of the prizes, terms and conditions of the giveaway should be contained in the rafflecopter below. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• ARC August 2015
• Booking Through Summer
• COYER Scavenger Hunt

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