Friday, November 1, 2013

{Review} Freedom Road by Tia Souders

Synopsis
Since the tender age of eight, music served as Samantha Becker’s source of solace against her father’s tyranny and her mother’s alcoholism. Now at eighteen, her only dream is to study classical guitar at Juilliard. But when her father’s careless actions lead to an “accident,” which threatens her ability to play the guitar, Sam becomes despondent. Losing all confidence in her future, Sam hides behind the emotional barriers that have protected her for years.

Just when Sam has given up, two unexpected people enter her life, giving her the confidence she needs, and forcing her to evaluate all she’s ever known. Battling her father’s plans for her future, band mates using her for personal gain, and a permanent injury, the odds are stacked against her. With auditions approaching and time running out, Sam must relearn to play the guitar, or be destined to give up her dreams forever.

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*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review

My Review

Music is Samantha Becker's life. It is her solace from the not so pretty life she lives. But all that changes with the slip of her father's hand. Now permanently injured, she see's no hope in her future and starts to give up on her dream of ever getting accepted into Juilliard. With her only escape being stolen away from her Sam looks to lean on her best friends and group mates only to finally see them for what they really are, users. Now she has nothing and no one to turn to, or so she thinks, but out of the darkness comes support from two very unlikely people. Now she has hope of a future, a future that hopefully involves music and Juilliard.

Freedom Road takes us on a journey through the struggles of a wonderful and talented teenager. Samantha has incredible talent, everyone sees it, everyone hears it; and now Sam is ready to take that talent to Juilliard and she could do it too. Because Sam is the real McCoy. A rare talent that plays the strings of the guitar like playing the strings of the heart.

Freedom Road is an absolutely beautiful story about struggle, loss, reflection, and never giving up. It is the ultimate story of perseverance. We follow Sam as she loses everything that has ever meant anything to her, we watch her try to pick up the pieces, and see her struggle to accept the new path her life is taking.

Along her journey we meet some pretty fabulous people, Laird, June, Tad; just to name a few. Of course this tale also gives us those characters we love to hate. First and foremost is Sam's very own mom and dad, followed closely by her "best friends." Tia Souders gave me the ultimate characters to both love and hate. Characters who were so destroyed by pain that they took their pain out on others. Then she gave me friends as fake as plastic.

Freedom Road is a deep story that will take you through real heart ache, real struggle and real pain. This story will make you feel for your characters in so many ways. You will celebrate her triumphs, mourn her loses, be pissed at her for her loss of hope, and feel empathy for the life she has led. Tia Souders gives us the ultimate story of struggle, pain, loss, and hope. This is definitely a journey you need to take.



"If I don't have music, I have nothing. It's not just a hobby, or even just something I love. It's a way of life for me. It is me." (kindle, loc. 2028).


This statement is the perfect summary of why this story is so heart wrenching.



2 comments:

  1. I've seen a few other bloggers review this one and they really enjoyed it as well. I might have to add this to my wish list. Great review!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! It really is a touching story and the ultimate in never giving up. I would highly recommend you check it out! :D

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