ARC Review: Evercrossed

Evercrossed by Elizabeth Chandler
Published: March 08, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 288, Hardcover
YOUNG ADULT
Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab
Overall: Fabulous!

It’s been a year since Ivy’s boyfriend, Tristan, died. They’ve both moved on—Tristan to the other side of the afterlife, and Ivy to sweet, dependable Will. Now Ivy’s heading to Cape Cod, hoping to leave the horror of last summer behind. She wants nothing more than to lie on the beach, sip lemonade, and hang out with her friends. 
But then a car crash ends Ivy’s life. 
As she floats to the beyond, looking down on the life she’s left behind, Tristan breathes life back into her with a passionate kiss. She wakes up in the hospital, surrounded by Will and her family, but all she can think about is the love that she lost. 
But memories aren’t all that’s come back from the past. And this time, Ivy’s not sure love will be enough to save her.

Please note:  There may be minor spoilers for those who have no read Books #1-3 in the Kissed by an Angel Series. 


My Thoughts:


I can not tell you how excited I was to hear there was going to be another book in the Kissed by an Angel series.  I absolutely adored Elizabeth Chandler's first three books in the series, which were re-released in one 690 page book in December 2008.

Evercrossed picks up a year or so after Soulmates, the third book of the Kissed by an Angel series, drops off.  I had a hard time remembering some of the details, though most of my questions were answered, it just took a while for my memory to be refreshed as pieces of Ivy and Tristian's story were put back together.  If I had re-read the first three installments and then read Evercrossed I think the impact would have been greater.  I would have still been tightly drawn into the story of Ivy and Tristian.

Ivy was still the same broken character she was at the ending of book number three.  Ivy was eventually able to move on with her supportive and usually-understand friend, Will, but reading it I knew there was that something, or rather someone, missing.  Will, as charming and understanding as he was, he  was a safe bet for Ivy.  Will knew how she felt about Tristian and how the looming anniversary of Tristian's death would take a toll on her.  With Will Ivy didn't seem to think she had to let go one hundred percent of Tristian.  Unfortunately, Ivy didn't see the toll her emotions and actions took on the ever-faithful and loyal Will. 


The scale finally tipped while Ivy, Will, and a couple of their friends who were in Cape Cod for the summer to work at a bed and breakfast and Ivy is involved in a deadly car accident.  When Ivy has an outer body experience she sees Tristian with her, promising to always be with her and momentarily feeling the void she tried so hard to ignore.

No matter what Ivy does, as hard as she may try, she can't brush the nagging feeling that Tristian was still there, with her, somewhere.  In the hospital she meets a guy she names Guy, with amnesia, and instantly starts making connections to him that may or may not actually be there.  From there it is like a domino effect as she does her best to not further hurt Will, help Guy, the guy from the hospital, and try to figure out how everything is connected or if she is crazy.  Guy, despite his good looks and seemingly decent intentions, seemed to hold several keys to making Ivy tick, only adding further confusion to the Ivy-Tristian-Will situation.

Our reintroduction to the characters of Kissed by an Angel was highly welcomed.  Though the plot seemed to slightly waver from time to time, trying to figure out where it was headed, it kept on par with Kissed by an Angel.  Needless to say, Elizabeth Chandler opened up another cans of worms with Evercrossed.  I never expected for the major twist in the plot that ripped out Ivy's heart and mine.  So, bravo to Elizabeth Chandler for resurrecting a story that was once laid to sleep.  Here is to hoping that she returns with a fifth book with that major cliffhanger ending, of a love-story so sweet, she left us with.  

If you haven't read Kissed by an Angel yet, I suggest picking up the omnibus edition before reading Evercrossed.

Overall, this was FABULOUS!