SYNOPSIS:
New York Times and USA TodayBestselling Novel.
in life it feels like everything that can go wrong does, but everything happens for a reason. A relationship crumbles so someone else can mend the pieces of your broken heart. A change of plans can lead you to something you didn’t even know you were missing. You help others and discover that it was you who needed to be helped all along.
Jenn's life is nothing as she had imagined it would be. She is twenty-something with a failing career and her love life has officially ended with an ultimate act of betrayal. She is ready to throw away her dreams when a chance run-in with a soldier, dealing with his own misfortunes, alters her course and changes her perspective on life.
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MY REVIEW:
5 Heart Clutching Leave Me Breathless Stars
OMG!!
WOW!!
AMAZING!!
BEAUTIFUL!!
ASTOUNDING!!
Teresa Mummert has done it AGAIN!! I am COMPLETELY blown away by this book!! Suicide Note is hands down one of the BEST books that I have EVER read!! I absolutely DEVOURED it!!
Things spoken can be forgotten and forgiven but the written word has the power to change the course of history, to alter our lives.
This was so much more than simply sitting down and reading a book to me. It was like I was a silent observer watching everything unfold before my eyes. The details were so intense. I felt every emotion that was thrown my way. I smiled every smile, laughed every laugh and cried every tear. I jumped up and down with excitement. I fell to my knees in heartache.
First we met Jenn.
This was so much more than simply sitting down and reading a book to me. It was like I was a silent observer watching everything unfold before my eyes. The details were so intense. I felt every emotion that was thrown my way. I smiled every smile, laughed every laugh and cried every tear. I jumped up and down with excitement. I fell to my knees in heartache.
First we met Jenn.
She definitely wasn’t dealt a good hand in life. Everyone she should have been able to count on always seemed to let her down. Her family was far from affectionate towards her; instead they seemed to thrive off of making her life a living hell. She had a fiancé who cheated on her. A sister who’s betrayal is out of this world. Parents who thought Jenn was the problem and not the choices that were made. She deserved so much more than what she was getting. She is beautiful, smart and loving; but she was made to feel like she was nothing. My heart ached to the core for her.
And then we have Shane.
Talk about another life that has been thrown to the wolves. Shane is a Sergeant in the Army and currently in Iraq. Sadly, this wasn’t the only war he was fighting. He has a dark past that haunts him daily. Shane feels that as though the things that happened when he was a child could have been prevented if he had done more, when he did absolutely nothing wrong. What else could be thrown his way? Well, his fiancé decided to cheat on him as well. Seriously, you cheat on a man who is dealing with this:
I kept my fingers over the oozing wound. I glanced around the room at all the young weathered men who stared back at me. I had no words, no idea what to say to make the situation any different from what it was. This was our reality. At any given moment, everything could be taken from us.
Shane ends up back in the US on leave for two weeks and decides at the last minute to visit his cousin (who is more like a brother to him) Jake and his family instead of returning to deal with his failed relationship. Ironically, this is when two deeply damaged souls will cross each others paths. While Shane is at Jake’s workplace he meets Jenn for the first time. Jake is Jenn’s boss. What perfect timing for Shane to show up because Jenn’s birthday is the next day and the start of her two week vacation. Sadly, this was also the time she was supposed to be on her honeymoon. Instead she will be spending it alone. I told you, my heart hurts for her.
Oh, but Shane has other plans. He is the TRUE definition of the ultimate sweet man! I wanted to reach through my screen and KISS him!
Jenn and Shane start spending as much time together as possible. As with every love story, falling for each other is NEVER in the plan and this one is no different. The more time they spend together, the closer they become. Jenn finally admits to Shane,“I’m not strong enough to keep all of these feelings bottled up inside of me any longer. I feel like I’m going to explode.”
Shane really made Jenn step out of her comfort zone. He went above and beyond what anyone had ever done for her. He made her laugh and smile again. He gave her new experiences.
He protected her from the ugly reality of her life.
He gave her happiness again.
I have always considered myself to be strong, even when the odds were stacked against me, but I felt like I was only hanging on by a thread. I’d forgotten how to breathe without inhaling the minty smell of his soap. I forgot how to feel without looking into his blue eyes. He awakened something inside of me that I didn’t even know I had locked away.
During all of the time they spend together Jenn knows that eventually Shane has to leave. One important piece of information she doesn’t know is that he has to go back to Iraq. Without giving you details, I will simply say that I was in awe of the amount of commitment they could give one another when they should have no faith left in the opposite sex. But the truth of the matter was they needed each other.
My heart sank into my stomach. I had to spend every day of my leave with her. I still told myself it was to make sure she was okay, but in truth, I needed her as much as she needed me.
Let me share a piece of advice with you. Grab the whole box of tissues when you start to cry because one won't be enough. I knew my heart would be crushed when Shane had to go back to war and so will yours.
“I can’t lose you now, Jenn. I didn’t even know I wanted anyone else until I met you. I was perfectly happy being on my own. Now I can’t stand to think about what it will be like to walk away from you.”
“It’s not forever, Shane. I have been waiting my entire life for someone to look at me the way you do. I can wait a few more months.”
“I have to go.” He pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket, placed it in my palm, curling my fingers around it. “I was awake all night thinking about this moment. I couldn’t come up with the right words to take your pain away. I want you to read this whenever you’re sad. Whenever you read it, know that I am thinking about you. No matter where I go or what I am doing, I will be thinking about you.”
“Never give up. Things will get hard. No relationship is easy. You have to work through your problems as if tomorrow isn’t guaranteed because it’s not. Never go to bed angry and always make sure you say I love you every chance you get.”
I was on the edge of my seat, clutching onto it as tightly as I could. Just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, she began to put the pieces back together one by one.
“You were the light when my entire world was dark. You gave me a reason to keep going when all I wanted to do was give up.”
The ending was PERFECT!! There couldn’t have been a better sentence to wrap this beautifully written story up. It will bring you tears, but it will also bring you a smile.
I love reading a book that tells a believable story and that is EXACTLY what I got! The issues faced in Suicide Note are reality for so many people. I absolutely refused to read any reviews until AFTER I was done reading and was able to post my own. I wanted to experience everything first hand and I am glad that I did. I was deeply touched by this book!
India FREAKIN Lima Yankee, Teresa!!!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I know I have already told you, but I cannot thank you enough for letting me read this amazing book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I was a Russian spy at the ripe age of thirteen, given my uncanny ability to tell if someone was lying ( I also read fortunes on the weekends). By sixteen I had become too much of a handful for the Lethal Intelligence Ensemble (L.I.E.). I was quickly exiled to the south of France where I worked with wayward elephants in the Circus of Roaming Animals and People (C.R.A.P.). I was able to make ends meet by selling my organs on the black market for pocket change and beer money. At the age of twenty three I decided to expand my horizons and become a blackjack dealer in Ireland. I loved the family atmosphere at Barney's Underground Liquor Lounge (B.U.L.L.). People couldn't resist the allure of Liquor up front and poker in the rear. Eventually I became tired of the rear and headed off to the United States to try my hand at tall tales. That is what brings us here today. If you have a moment I'd like to tell you a story.
(This bio is not to be taken seriously under any circumstance.)
Teresa Mummert is an army wife and mother whose passion in life is writing. She is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels White Trash Beautiful and Suicide Note. Born in Pennsylvania, she lived a small town life before following her husband's military career to Louisiana and Georgia.
EXCERPT:
DELETED SCENE:
Shane – March 18, 2010 11:13 am Jake and May’s home
“You’re late.” May gave me a stern look but I could see her struggling to keep her lips from pulling into a smile. She brushed her deep red hair over her shoulder in a dramatic gesture and put her hands on her hips.
“May, I would like you to meet Jenn.”
May couldn’t contain her smile any longer. She pulled Jenn into an awkward hug. Jenn grunted and I could hardly suppress my laugh as I shook my head.
“Pleasure to meet you,” Jenn’s voice cracked as her nerves began to get the best of her. It was adorable how her cheeks tinged pink when she was nervous. I realized I was staring a second after May as she shot me a wink over Jenn’s shoulder. She released her embrace as Jake entered the living room.
“You’re late,” Jake called out as he took his place beside his wife.
“I’m so sorry. It is all my fault,” Jenn rambled.
“This isn’t work. He’s not going to fire you,” I whispered to her as she worried her lip with her teeth. My gaze dropped to her mouth as her lips parted slightly and she let out a small sigh. “If you want me to kick his ass just say the word.”
Jake rolled his eyes as Jenn let out a small laugh.
“Well, it is getting a little warm in here. I’m going to open the window.” May laughed as she made her way back into the kitchen and pushed up the window above the sink. Jake had a look of disapproval on his face as he folded his arms over his chest.
“Enjoying your vacation? I hope my cousin isn’t bothering you too much.” Jake’s eyes flicked to mine but quickly returned to Jenn’s. I clenched my jaw and kept myself from saying anything in response.
“He’s no bother. We’ve been having a lot of fun.” The pink returned to her cheeks.
“Well, are you just gonna stand by the door all day or are you gonna eat? The food is getting cold.” May called out as she sat dished on the table.
“Where are the boys?” I asked as I gestured for Jenn to follow me into the kitchen.
“They ate an hour ago.” Her eyes locked onto mine before she went back to her task of setting out silverware. “I’ve released them into the wild. They are off at the neighbor’s.”
I pulled out one of the oak chairs and waited for Jenn to sit before sliding into the one next to her. May and Jake took their seats across the table from us.
“Help yourselves.” May grabbed a biscuit from the plate in front of her.
“Thank you so much, May. This all looks amazing.” Jenn said, her voice finally sounding more like her own.
“It is no trouble at all. I had to devise a plan to meet the girl who is occupying all of Shane’s time.” I cleared my throat and glanced to Jake, pleading with him silently to stop May. He just smiled and shook his head. I should have known he would be no help. He disapproved of Jenn and me talking from the moment he found out.
“That’s a nice shirt, Shane. The color really brings out your eyes.” May shoved a bite of scrambled eggs into her mouth.
“Thank you. Jenn picked it out.” I glanced to Jenn who was smiling proudly. The flashback of being at the mall with her, being inside that photo booth with her lips pressed against mine came to the forefront of my thoughts.
“She has great taste,” May now had a permanent smirk on her face. It did not go over my head that she was now talking about more than the shirt. I wanted to kick her under the table. Like she was reading my mind, she slid her chair back a few inches and took a big gulp of her orange juice.
“She does taste great.” As the words left my mouth I knew there was no hope that no one had heard my mix-up. May choked and sputtered on her drink and Jenn looked frozen, holding a piece of bacon midair. “That’s not-,” I struggled to correct myself as Jake grabbed his drink and raised it in the air with a victorious smirk.
“You have a lovely home, May.” Jenn bit off a bite from her bacon, avoiding eye contact with anyone else at the table.
“Thanks. I bet it must be a bit of a shock to you.”
“Why would it be a shock?” Jenn furrowed her brow.
“I’d just assumed anyone who works with Jake would think he lives under a bridge somewhere with the rest of the trolls.” She laughed as Jake glared at her. Jenn nearly choked on her bite as we all laughed and relaxed a bit.
“Come on.” Jake set his fork down on his plate and narrowed his eyes at his wife. “I’m not that bad am I, Jenn?”
“That’s not right. You can’t ask her that.” May shot back waving her hand in front of Jake. That was one thing I loved about May she had a way of making anyone feel relaxed. I hoped that she would form a friendship with Jenn. I wanted someone to be here for her when I had to leave. I swallowed back the lump that had formed in my throat.
“I’m fair.” Jake gestured to Jenn in hopes she would back him up.
“You are fair…ly mean.” She crinkled her nose, waiting for his response.
“I like you.” May’s eyes lit up at Jenn and I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about her being alone.
SUICIDE NOTE PLAYLIST:
