As a homeschooling mother, I am always on the lookout for new books for my children to read. So when I had the opportunity to read this book, I knew I wanted to read this book. With interesting characters, a realistic storyline, and more, I feel this book is one that needs to be read.

When Skylar becomes deaf as a result of an accident, life changes for her entire family and especially with her brother. Nothing is the same for the family. So they go to her aunt’s home only to find out her father’s sister (the aunt) has left the country.

Arranging for a job for Skylar at the library, her aunt creates opportunities for Skylar to have a normal experience as well as make friends with Cam and Ana. They have quite a few experiences that are told in ways that are realistic and make the reader want to continue reading. The relationship between Skylar and her brother has incredible depth and caused me to react with relief when they are able to restore their relationship.

While Skylar does not feel like God cares about her, Cam and God Himself wind up grabbing her attention. I love how the author weaves the message of God’s grace and forgiveness throughout the story. Ultimately, Skylar finds she needs a relationship with God.

I would love to read the “rest of the story” or at least more of the story for these characters.

So if you have young people in your life you are looking for a book for, or you enjoy reading Young Adult Christian fiction, check out this book for yourself.

I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review. ( )

One moment has altered Skylar Brady’s plan for her life in so many ways. Now, dealing with her hearing loss, she must also navigate the changes within her family. A summer away from home gives her the perfect opportunity to grieve and accept and learn to move forward.

Olivia Smit’s Seeing Voices is a sweet, beautiful debut novel. It is easy to feel all the emotions alongside Skylar (though the experiences within her story are not always so easy) and cheer for her realistic growth through everything. I enjoyed this contemporary YA story from beginning to end—and I’m sure other readers of the genre will, too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

At first I had a hard time getting into the book. I had figured out that Skylar had been in an accident but I thought the book was moving too slow. Oh how wrong I was. I’m glad I didn’t give up on this story because it is truly a powerful story about guilt, forgiveness and finding God. Skylar is dealing with an accident that has cost her more than she realized. How do you cope with suddenly losing your hearing? I liked how the author takes us on a journey where Skylar will come face to face with experiencing the love of God. I can understand why she is so angry at God. It seems like her life will never be the same and she blames God.
Many of us are familiar with the scripture that says,”What the enemy uses for bad, God will use for good.”(paraphrased) I think this is a perfect story to represent this scripture. The enemy wanted to tear a family apart. What I really liked the most about this book is watching the dynamics between Skylar and Mike. I kinda guessed that Mike felt like it was his fault about the accident. The closeness between brother and sister are fractured and Skylar sees her brother slipping away into a path of self destruction.
It was interesting to read about Skylar working at a library. I worked at a library for fifteen years and loved every minute of it. God always has a plan and Skylar working at the library had her cross paths with Cam. Now I think Cam is pivotal to the story because he made Skylar feel at ease and began to let her guard down a little. Getting to know Skylar better , Cam is able to relate to her because his sister is deaf. He is a constant in her life and shares his faith openly.
The story is a great look at what happens when an accident has a ripple affect in a family. I wondered sometimes if the parents knew how guilty Mike felt about the accident. His behavior gets out of control and that is the defining moment in the story for me. Will Mike and Skylar finally open up to each and talk about the accident? Does Cam find the right words to help Skylar see how much God loves her? It is a good story that peels away the ugliness of guilt and anger while bringing healing to the hurt.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

Seeing Voices is the debut novel of Olivia Smit and it is an exceptional story of family ties, lost hopes, and unexpected blessings. I loved the insights into the world of deafness; Skylar's realization that "It's funny, losing your hearing---you always expect the biggest surprise to be when you can't hear what's going on in the world around you, but for me it's more shocking to miss the sound of my own voice". What would it be like not to hear your own words? Not to know how your thoughts and emotions were sounding to others? And even though her hearing loss is traumatic, it is the lost companionship of her brother that hurts as much. Skylar and Mike no longer have the bond that they once had and it isn't until much later in the story that the reasons are explained.

Seeing Voices deals with hurt and anger but in the end, it is a story of hope and resilience. I loved that during this special summer Skylar finds friendship with Cam and Ana and I especially enjoyed that she is able to work at a library! Skylar also experiences a spiritual growth and realizes that she is loved by her family and by God. "I'm not sure when I decided to believe in God, but I think I do. I just don't know if I like it, yet". Part of her growth can be attributed to Cam, who is young in years but very mature in his faith. As he talks to Skylar about why her accident occurred, he offers her this very profound advice about God. "He isn’t safe, not like a helmet or seat belt. His love for you isn’t easy or comfortable, but it is strong. His love for you is so strong.”

This is labeled as young adult fiction but it is a story that resonates with adults dealing with their own health issues. I enjoyed Seeing Voices and I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit Book Tours. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts. ( )

Every now and then a book comes along that just surprises you in such a delightful and unexpected way that you read it almost straight through in one sitting. I try not to look at the synopses of books that I intend to read so that I don*t enter into the story with any preconceived notions, good or bad, and so that I don*t end up piecing together the plot threads too quickly. Approaching this particular book, the first thing that came to mind was synesthesia because of the title. As it turns out, that is not what it references, but it is still apropos and very insightful; someone who loses or is lacking one sense instinctively adjusts as well as possible by strengthening their other senses. I find this intriguing, so I was engaged with the story from page one, and I can happily say that it only gets better!

#Seeing Voices# may be written primarily for a young adult audience, but I guarantee that anyone older than that will enjoy it immensely also. Olivia Smit writes a stunning debut novel that deals with challenging real-life issues without being too heavy, taking on strained relationships, the effects of trauma, and the ebb and flow of grief. This is all set against a quiet yet powerful backdrop of faith, as exemplified by one of the major secondary characters, Cam. Because the tough situations are not tidily swept up with easy answers and happily-ever-after moments, the story, and thereby Cam*s faith in God, is all the more realistic and relatable. I love that Cam is so sincere and compassionate, yet does not merely spout Bible verses or platitudes but instead truly lives out his faith. My favorite monologue in the book is Cam*s heartfelt response to Skylar*s pain: #I don*t know why the accident happened to you, Skylar. I don*t know why bad things happen to good people. All I can say is that I know God isn*t punishing you, and He isn*t safe, not like a helmet or seat belt. His love for you isn*t easy or comfortable, but it is strong. His love for you is so strong.#

Part of what makes this novel so eloquently compelling is its basis in relationships. Skylar Brady*s post-accident life is scarred by the changes in her relationship with her older brother, Mike, as well as with her closest friends. During the transformative summer in which the story takes place, she forms new bonds with new friends while also trying to mend those from her prior life. Even how she interacts with her parents has fundamentally changed, and I obtained a newfound respect for those living with hearing loss. I realized that it*s not as easy as using hearing aids, which amplify all sound, including wind and background noise, and which may still require the person to lip-read, as with Skylar. She comments that it*s #Like there*s a haunting magic in the noise of it all, and when you take that away, get rid of the Pied Piper, there*s not a whole lot of reason to run along with the others.# Her spiritual awakening unfolds slowly, and along the way more trials occur. Skylar*s story, told in her own voice in the first-person, becomes all the more captivating because it meets readers where they are, especially those who are unsure about God. Circumstances in our lives may change, but God never does.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. ( )