Underneath the Sycamore Tree

GENERAL INFOYear Pub/Re Pub: 1/3/23 Repub.Book's cover: Beautiful pinks and yellowsFormat: NetGalley shelfSource: "Thank you Net Galley and (publisher) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own."Page Count: 370Book's Price: 4.49Price I'd Value: sameSetting: BakersfieldGenre: YA/NATropes: chronic illness, loss of sibling, stepbrother romanceStandalone/Cliffhanger/Part of a Series: standaloneHEA/HFN ending: NoEpilogue Included: yes, 1-2 years laterCharacter(s)POV Spoken: h-EmeryBOOK DESCRIPTIONSynopsis/Plot Summary: 19-year-old grieving sister’s loss, suffering debilitating illness. Moves in with Dad, his new wife, and grumpy stepbrother with a bad attitude.M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/FRepresentation: Chronic illness of hContains Cheating: noContains Children: noFlashbacks: yes. h remembering sister, how parents deal with their child’s death. H remembers love for father.Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h: h gets a little jealous of H’s hook upAmount of Sex In The Book: h’s 1st timeOverall Smex Rating: 3CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONHeroine: Emery/Em MattersonHeroine Description: 19, high school senior. Twin sister Lo has been deceased for 10 years, but Em still grieving. Moved with estranged father and his new family. Avid reader, self-proclaimed nerd, very introverted. She spends her time reading when not dealing with lupus.Heroine Likability Rating: 4Heroine loves books/writing: yes, always reading mentions book My Sister’s Keeper a few times. Joins the school's book club.Hero: Kaiden MonroeHero Description: High school senior, plays lacrosse, the “big man on campus.” Hostile towards his mother Cam. Very withdrawn at home, but total extrovert, leader at school. Doesn’t spare Em’s feelings with mean words and sarcasm.Hero Likability Rating: 3Hero loves books/writing: noSecondary characters:Logan/Lo - deceased twin sister, had same illness Em does. Was total opposite -outgoing , never let illness get her down.Henry-Em’s father, left when kids were 9yrs. Wasn’t there for Lo’s last days, hasn’t seen Em in 10 yrs. Not sure what to say to Em now,Joanne-Em’s mother. Grieving and devastated by Lo’s death, unable to care for or even look at Em without seeing Lo. She painted stills and landscapes, works as a school nurse.Cam- Em’s stepmother. Very nice and welcoming to Em. Does small things to make her feel better. Doesn’t know how to connect with son Kaiden.Rachel- Kaiden’s hook up, jealous of EmMr. Nichols- English teacher who takes an interest in Em, wants her to join book club. Kaiden is suspicious of his motives with Em because all the girls at school crush on him.Riley-attended high school with Kaiden, was overweight, had eating disorder, kids bullied her and she committed suicide.Adam- Kaiden’s deceased father, suffered from depression, had brain tumor. Abused Kaiden mentally and physically, pushed him away so he wouldn’t see him suffer.H /h RELATIONSHIP INFOEndearments: Mouse- Kaiden calls EmOW/OM/Exes: yes, Rachel. Kaiden has sex with her but treats her badly.Cheating Before/During/Outside H/h Relationship: noCONTENT WARNINGS/TRIGGERS: severe grief, depression, suicide (not H/h)AUTHOR OVERVIEW: B. CelesteNew or read before & any favorites: Read 2 books in The Truth About series. Everett and River are very similar to Em and Kaiden.PERSONAL OVERVIEWTechnical/Editing Quality: 4Writing/Content Quality: 4Overall Rating: 4Do You Recommend This Book: yesWill You Re-read This Book: no too sad, very triggeringWould You Read More Books by this Author: yesCOMMENTS/NOTES: One of those reads that hit home and will stay with me. Having a chronic illness myself, I understood the pain and fatigue Em experiences, I’m also very introverted and a bibliophile. Em and Kaiden’s relationship starts off rocky. I might even say Kaiden bullies Em. He softens after seeing her in pain, becomes a fierce protector. Their relationship teeters between best friend/brotherly love to boyfriend material. I saw a hint of Em’s teacher Mr. Nichols being inappropriate with her. Kaiden sees it too and lets Em know he’s watching. So glad Kaiden starts communicating with Mom after being dismissive and disrespectful. Kaiden listens to Em’s problems with her mother, knows how much she likes his mother Cam. He gives his mother a chance because of Em.Favorite line: “Inside the sad shell of my agonizing existence is a battlefield, and I’m on both sides holding trigger-ready guns waiting for the bullets to leave the barrels.” Em thinking about how disease makes her feel.

Oh wow.If ever I was going to cuss out an author, this would be the book to do it.Besides pulling intently on my heartstrings, Ms Celeste managed to rip it out, then stomp on it for good measureWhile I have no experience with a disease of this nature, I can only imagine how hard it is to know that one day—soon—you are going to lose the battle with your own body.Reading a book like Under The Sycamore Tree is such a treat. It not only reminds you to embrace your life but also puts into perspective some of the daily struggles people with "invisible illnesses" deal with. As one of those people (with an invisible illness) this story really resonated with me. While I may look fine from the outside, some days it is a struggle to find the motivation to get things done. Anyway, I digress.If you are looking for a book with hearts and flowers and all the good feelings, this is definitely NOT the book for you.This book will suck you in, tear you up and leave you with a gaping hole where your heart was. But I couldn't love it anymore if I tried.One of the best books I have EVER read.

This book…it’s hard to put into words. How it touched me on very deep level. It brought out emotions no other book ever has. And that’s saying something.I’ve read many books over the years. And I’ve never saw so much put into one book. I could feel everything that the main female felt. What the main felt.I’ve watched family members go through so much. And this story, of Em. About Kaid. It shows both sides.This book will remain with me for a very long time. It is a hard read, but don’t let that stop you. This books shows so much of people. Fears, hurts, love and forgiveness. Even the acceptance of things.I can’t thank the author enough for this book. To bringing this to the world. And showing us so much. My hats off to you.

This book is very sad, I did not expect to be crying as much as I was by the end. It’s beautifully written however I did find the graphic sex scenes cheapened it and made parts slightly tacky. I personally think this book would have been more beautiful and delicate reflection to life if Barbara kept it more romantic and gentle, as apposed to graphic descriptions during the sex scenes. However it’s still worth a read, this book will stay with you for a long time as a reflection on life and reality and the time we have to make the most of it.

This book is proof that time really isn't a luxury everyone can afford. Emery is so strong right until the very end, she's been shown the harsh realities when jealousy is against you. My heart broke for her. And even I found I needed more time with her. Beautifully emotional read. Such pain for someone so young.

A really good book but very sad. Suitable for teenagers - my daughter couldn’t put it down!

First book I've ever read that doesn't have a Happy ending. Exactly what goes on all around. Sad 😭😭 but I loved it.

Best book I have read in a long time it’s raw emotional and true to life. Everyone is facing their own battles and most of the time know one really knows what that is like. Life does happen in stages and this book is a great read .