ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes there are books that connect with you in every single way and Unveiling The Sky was that book for me. I smiled with the characters, cried with the characters, and even got a little angry right alongside the characters. A lot of times I use the word to describe broken to describe a character, but that word just doesn't seem right anymore. Alara and Gabe believe themselves to be broken, but they weren't at all. They were a little lost, wandering through life, but definitely not broken. Jeannine Allison created two protagonists that were the most realistic characters I have ever read. With dual POV's the reader gets to know the charming Alara and the stubborn Gabe as they both deal with major life events that change the shapes of their lives forever. I adored both of them, I felt like I knew both of them, and I was so emotional this entire story as I felt every little thing they went through. I love that they found each other at what they believed to be the most unlikely time, but really they helped each other find out who they really could be.

"Sometims I feel fragmented, like all I have are a bunch of random pieces that don't fit together anymore. I want to give you all of me. But will you want all of me when you realize I'm in pieces?"

Unveiling The Sky could easily be described as a heavy book, possibly an ugly cry novel, or maybe even over the top if you're the kind of person that likes happiness, but what it really was for me was incredibly realistic. The book touches on everything from life, death, friendship, family, cancer, depression, acceptance, forgiveness, and more. Jeannine Allison did an incredible job of tackling the subject of depression, bringing it to life, describing it, but also showing so much hope. I didn't expect to relate to it so much, but from page one I understood both Gabe and Alara, their story had parts of my own story. I think every reader will find something in this book that touches them, that connects and resonates. There is a ton of dialogue in this book, but I think the dialogue is what progresses the story, shows the development, and really explains how complex each character is. On top of dealing with a lot of emotionally heavy subjects, we meet 5 friends and get to know them in different ways as well, we see everything from their eyes, and I can definitely say I am glad this is a series, because I want to get to know all of them.

"...We all need certain people in our life. Some make sense, some don't, and I don't know where she falls, but I can tell you need her." She stopped suddenly like something just occurred to her. "So maybe you don't need to understand her; maybe you just need to want to."

I highly suggest Unveiling The Sky for all readers, fan of any genre type. While it falls in the New Adult category, I think Jeannine Allison successfully wrote a novel that people will find understanding and compassion in, as well as understanding. I might have cried my way through this book (starting at 23%), but I also highlighted countless passages and when I got done I was smiling. This beautiful (not just the cover) novel is absolutely a new favorite and I cannot wait for book two, Naomi's story.

I could still believe that happy days were in my future; they were just waiting for me to find them.


*Definitely check out the playlist for this book* ( )

4.3 stars

A beautiful poignant story about how destructive and debilitating depression is. The author did a fantastic job showing how it affects everyone. ( )

Actual Rating: 5

Oh my god. I'm speechless right now.
This book was beautiful.

I have to start by saying that this book hits very close to home, and therefore, few books I've read address topics like depression and anxiety and make it work. This is one of those books.

Unveiling the Sky follows two characters - Alara, a girl struggling with depression that seemingly came out of nowhere, and Gabe, a boy struggling with grief and trying to write his own future instead of following the one already mapped out for him.

But what they're both looking for is happiness - and it's not an easy journey. Everything gets in the way, and they'll have to decide whether the battle is worth the possible happy ever after.

Now, normally I'm not a fan of dual perspective, but I couldn't imagine this book any other way. It really worked for me in the sense that I could feel different pieces of pain and could understand what each character did and why. Not to mention how realistic the characters were - they were perfect, and yet they were broken and flawed.

The writing style was gorgeous - it was so easy for me to connect to the characters' feelings, and I found that there were so many beautiful quotes that perfectly described emotions I had never been able to put into words.

Looking at the plot as a whole, I felt like there was such a great balance between internal conflicts and external factors.

But what I must commend this book for is the message. What a beautiful, beautiful, message. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that it was such an amazing story about accepting yourself and loving people who they are (yourself included!) and I don't think I've ever read a book that made me feel the way this book did.

I would love, love, love, to continue this series. ( )