A Song for Julia by Charles Sheehan-Miles

Book Description:

Everyone should have something to rebel against.

Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.

Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy.

When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.

Christina's BookReview

Recap

Julia Thompson is unlike her sister Alex in many ways. Julia is closed off and keeps to herself. She doesn't let people get close because letting people in opens her up to pain. Pain that Julia is working so hard to repress. There has been too much in her past. When Crank Wilson walks into her life he makes her feel alive for the first time ever. But opening up and letting him in isn't something Julia is willing to do. Not even if Crank tries to show her otherwise. 

Rock star, Crank Wilson has grown up with his share of difficult times. But unlike Julia he lives his life. Not is the best way but its a step up from how he grew up. When Julia stumbles into his life Crank will finally realize what real love is. Determined to show Julia that he can change and is willing to fight for her Crank weathers the ups and downs of Julia's turmoil. 

But will Julia ever open up? Will Crank finally realize that Julia needs to be set free?



My Take

I received and ARC of A Song for Julia from its amazing author and I must say that I was blown away.


In Charles's first book, Just Remember to Breathe, you are introduced to Alex Thompson and are thrown into her world and the world of the man she loves, Dylan Paris. During Alex's journey you are also introduced to the other Thompson girls and although I didn't think of wanting Julia's and Crank's story I am now excited that we did get it!

Julia's story is completely different from Alex's. Although they are sisters there is a gap in age which makes it hard to compare their situations. Julia is so strong but also so closed off to everyone around her. But there is reason to it and that reason makes you quickly sympathize with her. Julia's character is so easy to relate to that in some ways you feel like you are on the journey with her. Her journey of learning to trust in herself and in those that love her. Her past is one filled with so much heartache that all you want to do is reach through the book and hug her. Her pain, her suffering and her difficulty with healing is so heart-wrenching that you can't help but wish for this girl to finally accept herself and accept that she is loved. Bravo to Charles for eliciting those emotions in the readers because as many readers know it takes alot for that to happen.

And this story isn't complete without the amazing Male protag, Crank Wilson. When I thought that no one could be more perfect then Dylan Paris, Charles brings us another contender! Crank is your bad boy with a golden heart. But golden heart just doesn't seem to fit. Its so much more. Crank will make you swoon from his first sentence and then melt your heart throughout the book. Although he has had a rough childhood he is one strong man. His dedication to his sick brother, his family, his band, and Julia is unbreakable. He goes from not giving two shits about anything to wanting to be a better man and his transformation is incredible. I loved him and I'm sure everyone that reads this book will think the same.

Sean, Crank's brother, suffers from Asperger syndrome and seeing what that  is truly like is truly saddening but so incredible. The way Julia quickly becomes the one person that understands him is so amazing and so sweet. Seeing the true nature of the affect it has on a family is an aspect that I truly loved about his book. 

We also get to meet the Thompson sisters again and are again privy to Carrie's world. I for one cannot wait to read her story. She is truly and amazing sister and although she is the epitome of strength I'm sure that her story will be one that will capture our hearts.

So I don't have to say it but I will....PICK this up!! READ It! Fall in LOVE with it!!