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Olivia, Finding Her Way by Tessa Palmeri: A Character Journey To Remember

Hey, guys! Alexa, here! Today’s novel is actually the second in the Olivia series, the first of which I reviewed back in February, and when I read the first book, I was especially interested in seeing how the characters would develop in continuing stories. I am very pleased to say that they did not disappoint. 🙂

olivia, finding waty

Description:

Olivia Miller is off to college at NHU with her boyfriend, Cameron McClain. She’s looking forward to having freedom from her parents, but as she tries to adjust to the unfamiliar environment, she retreats into her pre-college insecurities and begins to lose her perspective. Will Olivia ever be able to find her own way?

Plot:

Like the first book in the series, Olivia, Finding Her Way is very much a slice-of-life story, but I noticed that it’s slightly less so than Olivia, On The Brink. Honestly, this isn’t really a change that I thought was either positive or negative; I just noticed that—especially in the beginning—the plot centered around problems such as freshman angst, insecurities, and misplacement and so seemed to have a clearer plotline than the first one.

Simultaneously though, the core of it is still just experiencing life with Olivia, getting a very honest glimpse at what things may have been like for a girl attending her first year of college in the early 1990’s. It’s one of the things I like most about the series, the real feel, like you’re just riding along on her shoulder, seeing life as she sees it. Admittedly, that style can take some getting used to, but in the end, I found it really drew me in.

Plot: 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

Characters:

I mentioned in the last review that what I wanted to see most was more character development in Olivia… and I did. I kinda wish I could say more about this, but I don’t know how to without giving spoilers and each step she took was so important, so tied together with all the rest that I can’t really say anything for fear of saying too much and giving spoilers or saying too little and just being confusing. :p So. Suffice it to say, she has a pretty bumpy ride for a while, but I love the way she comes out by the end, and I am so, so proud of her <3

I also love the changes I’m seeing with several of the other characters. This book truly does feel like a continuation, picking up right where the first one left off and growing the relationships in such a way that it actually does read like real life. Each turn with this cast just makes me all the more interested to see how it all turns out at the end. 🙂

Characters: 4 stars out of 5.

Writing Style/Setting:

The one thing I noticed about this writing is that it’s incredibly voice-y. I mean, a lot of stories kind of have this feel like the MC is narrating the plot to you, but this one truly reads like Olivia is just talking a friend or penning her life story sometime in the future. There’s almost no author fingerprint; it really feels like it’s all Olivia. Which of course means that the writing isn’t always the most perfectly flowing, literary style, but it is honest, and that gives it a charm all its own.

Writing Style/Setting: 3 stars out of 5.

And so we come in right around 3 1/2 stars out of 5. Truth be told, Olivia has a lot of rough moments in this book, but I love the way things come out and the ending is absolutely fab. 😀 I would like to include a quick trigger warning though, before I recommend it: like the last book, the descriptions of their make-out scenes and sexual desire get really descriptive (though most of the time, all clothes remained on) and there’s a scene with an attempted rape. That one actually isn’t described much at all, but the intention and emotional repercussions are very clear, so I thought it would be important to note. Still, I did really enjoy this book and I’ll definitely continue the series. If you’d like to pick up a copy for yourself, you can find it on Amazon for $9.99

So have you read any slice-of-life books lately? Characters who fall far but you get to watch rise up again? Can’t wait to hear from you all, and I hope you enjoyed the review! 😀

Note: I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Comments


  1. // Reply

    Great review. SOunds like a book where a girl is trying to adjust to all the usual problems. I love your usage of the new word ‘Voice-y’ . Sometimes we do have to invent words to give out the right meaninig, right?


    1. // Reply

      Yeah, it really was! And haha, thank you. *bows* I figure I’m a writer. If I can’t make up new words, who can? 😉


  2. // Reply

    I love these kinds of stories, so I’d be interested in finding out more about Olivia as she struggles to find her way.


    1. // Reply

      Awesome! I hope you do check it out and enjoy it. 🙂 And yeah, this idea has really drawn me in too. 😀

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