Amy Inspired, by Bethany Pierce (Book review and giveaway!)

About the Book - Amy Gallagher is an aspiring writer who, after countless rejections, has settled for a career as an English professor in small-town Ohio just to pay the bills. All her dreams suddenly start to unravel as rejections pile up--both from publishers and her boyfriend. But just as Amy fears her life is stuck in a holding pattern, she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. She struggles to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as staying true to her faith becomes unexpectedly complicated. When secrets, tragedy, and poor decisions cause rifts in Amy's relationships, she must come to terms with who she's become, her unrealized aspirations for her life, and the state of her faith. Can she dare to hope that she will find love and fulfillment despite it all?

About the Author - After completing a Master's in Creative Writing and working as an English professor in Ohio, Bethany Pierce now lives with her husband in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she works at an art studio and continues to write. Her first book, Feeling for Bones, was one of Publisher's Weekly's Best Books of 2007.


My review - This book had me at the Prelude! I loved this book, I loved the characters, I loved the writing style and I loved the setting. I think one of the reasons I could relate to this book was it reminded me of Ithaca. It took place in a college town, there were coffee shops and downtown apartments and hippies. It kinda felt like home to me. The Author, Pierce, did an excellent job of developing the characters. I absolutely felt like I knew everyone in the book. I kept half expecting to see Eli laying on my couch and Amy typing away on my computer and Zoe walking around my house in her funky style. This book was not an "on the edge of your seat" type book. It was familiar and comfortable, it was real life! At least it felt like it was. I was giggling on half the pages and crying by the end of the book. What I loved the most was the ending. You are thinking the ending will be predictable but is actually full of some nice little surprises! I would absolutely read more by Bethany Pierce, this is the style of writing I love!
Thank you "Librarything early reviewers" for sending me this ARC to review!


Giveaway - I am giving away my copy of this book, which is an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy).

• Please only US and Canada
• Enter by commenting here or emailing me (forevereading at gmail dot com)
• Please include your email address so I can contact you if you win
• If you are new to my Blog please tell me where you found out about this giveaway and I invite you to become a follower. 
• Winner will be announced on Aug. 31st.

Other giveaways - 
Chick loves Lit - 2 copies of "My Little Phony"
Peeking between the pages - A copy of "Hearts on a String"
A circle of books - A copy of "She's Gone Country"
Nikola's book blog - A copy of "The Human Bobby"