One of the most heartfelt books I’ve ever read. You’ll cry from start to finish. For, such is growing up. In its unrelenting progression, as the clock ticks, as a 17-year-old young woman transitions from teenager into adulthood, and life etches its deepest scars. Consequences and tribulations, the weight of the world and Elsie’s first real taste of it. It’s the experiences, the scars and how we all deal with our hurdles, that make us who we are. But don’t let me drag the focus of this review toward the dark side. Most of your tears, by far, will spill out because of an overwhelming sense joy. Heartfelt, heart melted, total fulfillment. That’s what you’ll get from this novel. Life Happens on the Stairs, by Amy J. Markstahler, will reach into the deepest depths of your soul and switch on a bright light. Warmth, overcoming obstacles, true love. Imagine your heart on fire, while simultaneously experiencing newfound love, first times with youthful vigor. I read this in only two days. Yep, couldn’t put it down.
A year in the life of a teenage girl, Elsie, who thinks she isn’t good enough, smart enough, talented enough… She meets a very special, very handsome young man. And he’s special all right, and you’ll never guess every reason why. And all this and more happens while Elsie’s father is dying of cancer, while her mother needs, now more than ever, her help. Growing up fast. And the pressure is on. Will she, can she take the weight of the world? She’s run from it before and something terrible happened. To a special place where no one can find her. But will she keep running when times get tough this next time around, when it feels like all is lost, when it feels like the end of the world?
This story touched me on many levels and by the time I had finished reading it, I felt an uplifting sense of elation, absolution. Someone grew up and I realized in yet another dimension, from a superbly constructed perspective, just how special and wonderful, and heartbreaking life can be.
And no shocks for the sake of just shocking the reader, but things happen, real things, good ones, bad. This story is the real deal. It’s an account of real-life ups and downs, painful loss and secret loves, and personal growth. Grow up with Elsie as she gets a taste of the hardships parents face on a daily basis, year after year. Picking five acres of pimientos to help pay the bills, working her mother’s cleaning job, fending off ogling drunkards and dodging supercilious snobs…
I give Life Happens on the Stairs FIVE STARS, solid. The author excels at character development and her clean, easy-to-read prose flows like a Tennessee stream (pun intended, read it). The story is well-written and edited to excellence, and will breeze almost magically, into your heart and soul. Take this splendid journey, meet an exceptional someone and experience the exhilaration for yourself. A beautiful young woman’s life; Elsie grasps hardship, and then herself. She learns what true love is, and maybe, just maybe, she won’t run away from her problems when things get tough, as she has done in the past. And maybe, a change isn’t the end of the world. A little objectivity can do wonders. Perfectly sculpted experiences, joys and pains, bar-brawl to fist-fight, to jail, and a car crash that changed a young man forever. All of this and more, in this heartwarming, real-world experience. And then finally experience the BIG picture. The end will have you jumping! Don’t pass on this title.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
About the author
Solid YA
This is a solid YA contemporary. The story is structured well and stirs up a lot of feelings. I loved it for the most part, and it was close to being 5 stars. The writing, character development, and world building were great. It was easy to sympathize with the characters. The pacing at the end didn't flow well with the rest of the story and I was a little disappointed with it. I came across this book on netgalley by accident and I'm glad I did. I had never heard of it before. I think more people should know about it so I plan to promote it whenever possible. Thank you to netgalley for offering a copy for review.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2019
- Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2021
- Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2018
Top reviews from other countries
- JM BaldwinReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2018
A book with real heart!
