Mara White

4.5 Stars
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

It is difficult to review a book that impacts you in an almost uncomfortable way, Touched was impossible to put down and is now impossible to not think about. Mara White tells an unpredictable story of three individuals during the peak moments of their lives. We see snippets of elementary school, of their rough living situations, coming of age moments that aren't quite the norm, of adulthood and the learning that comes with growing older. Gem and June are Irish twin sisters and opposite in nearly every way. Gem craves consistency, knowledge, the comfort of another, while June shies away from touch, seeks adventure, and struggles with her connection between food and comfort. Children of an absentee mother, they learn to survive on their own, keeping their situation a secret from everyone except Alaric. Though he is the same age as June, Alaric is more experienced in the world, accustomed to being on the run and the ever changing walls of various foster homes. Together they form a bond, the three of them growing together, maturing together, experiencing together. Their bond is unique, filled with love and compassion and trust, but to outsiders it is inappropriate. Through the years they fall in and out of touch, but their bond remains the same, always connected to one another. As adults Gem seeks stability and what she deems a normal life and June seeks storms, the wild instability of nature that connects to her soul like nothing else.

"Three blind mice. See how they run."

It's no romance and it's not an easy read, but it is a story that reads much like real life with the beautiful prose of Mara White bringing it to life. The girls and Alaric take life's difficulties and turn them into positives, their outlook on the world is cynical and beautiful at the same time, their desire for independence and adventure is so refreshing. The chaos of their lives makes for an enchanting, other-worldly read, especially with June's calling to nature. The storms mirror their youth, the instability and unruliness make for the perfect adventure for a girl who could never accept the ugly world of poverty, laziness, and handouts. Nature is her lover, the snow and rain her comfort, with Gem tethering her to earth and Alaric offering her the only other compassion she knows how to accept.

"It hurt to hurt her. He swallowed her cries with his mouth and tried so hard to make it something beautiful."

Touched is told over several years, in two parts, and from the perspective of two main characters as well as three fully developed secondary characters. It was difficult to keep up with the pacing, the changing from past to present, and the alternating perspectives. Mara makes sure readers are aware of who is speaking and what year and location each chapter takes place and ultimately the confusion works out for the story. It was like being inside the head of each character, especially that of June's as she dealt with the difficult hand that life gave her while also being so compassionate and the most understanding of individuals.

"Tears rolled down June's cheeks and she refused to open her eyes and let Maude see all of the ugly pain she held onto inside."

I found myself discussing Touched with my significant other, reading him lines and summarizing chapters as I read. Though it doesn't perfectly fit into any single genre, Touched is a psychological fiction that makes you truly look at life and creature comforts. It's a book you start without expectations and finish with a heavy heart, changed forever by Mara White's incredible storytelling ability.… (altro)

4.7 stars

This author writes with a fluidity and precision that often times hurts. You feel the emotions as if her words were a scalpel. And like a scalpel you don't that it has left its mark until you bleed. This isn't your typical story or romance. Hell, I don't even think you could call it a romance. It's a coming of life story of three beautiful but damaged souls. Anything by this author is amazing. Yet, this might be her best work yet. She teaches us that we aren't defined by our phobias or what makes us different. Instead it's what we do, the connections we make, and ultimately who we touch (literally and figuratively) that helps define us. If you're looking to have a book move you and leave you touched then this is it.… (altro)