Review: Awake by Natasha Preston

Title: Awake
Author: Natasha Preston
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: August 4, 2015

Scarlett doesn’t remember anything before the age of five. Her parents say it’s from the trauma of seeing her house burn down, and she accepts the life they’ve created for her without question—until a car accident causes Scarlett to start remembering pieces of an unfamiliar past.

When a new guy moves into town, Scarlett feels an instant spark. But Noah knows the truth of Scarlett’s past, and he’s determined to shield her from it...because Scarlett grew up in a cult called Eternal Light, controlled by her biological parents.

And they want her back.

I was excited about this one.  I really liked The Cellar.  I guess my expectations were too high.  DNF at 13%.

I don't take this lightly.  The only other books I have ever DNF'd are The Great Gatsby and all Stephen King books I have attempted to read (nothing against him, honestly - his writing style just isn't for me).  Could I finish this book?  Probably.  It would likely take me a lot more time and effort than the book is worth, though.

I loved the concept.  It seemed a little weird to me that it should be odd for someone to not be able to remember before age four or five.  Hell, I can't remember much that early.  I have, like, a few pictures in my mind and that's all.  But I was really willing to go with it.

Unfortunately, the story just seemed like another teenage insta-love.  I can deal with it sometimes.  When it seems to serve a purpose.  This felt like it was just thrown in.  I couldn't figure out what Noah's motives were.  So he just seemed odd and out of place as a character to me.  And worse yet, the writing was not what I expected from Preston.  Having read her last book, I expected to read something that sounded professionally written.  This felt choppy.  Like many of the self-published novels I have read.  The writing style was not on par with The Cellar.

Maybe others will enjoy this.  But I could not finish this.

Note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.