This feeling. This feeling never gets old and I look forward to it. “What is the feeling”, you ask? The tummy filled with butterflies, stars in my eyes, and pure dreaminess of finishing a Laura Miller novel. We all talk about wishing you could go back and reread your favorites for the first time. That’s how I feel every time I read a new book by Miller, and I have yet to ever be disappointed by her work. When Cicadas Cry? Yep. I’m a little swoony mess over here.
In true Miller fashion, she writes honest, loyal guys and the girls that fall in love with them. She brings to life the feeling of that first true love and how devastatingly beautiful it can be. The characters in When Cicadas Cry, Ashley and Rem, are so wholesomely sweet with such an undeniable connection. You’ll fall head first into their relationship from the get go. While this isn’t an overly long novel, the characters are extremely easy to connect with. Experiencing the relationship with them, through the highs and lows, and learning whether all of it was truly worth it was a beautiful thing. The twists and surprises in the book, while somewhat predictable, were still a fabulous addition and kept me intrigued (as if I needed help there, let’s be honest). When it all came back around, it was about a girl and boy who just wanted to love each other. And that made ME love them and the book.
In true Miller fashion, she writes honest, loyal guys and the girls that fall in love with them. She brings to life the feeling of that first true love and how devastatingly beautiful it can be. The characters in When Cicadas Cry, Ashley and Rem, are so wholesomely sweet with such an undeniable connection. You’ll fall head first into their relationship from the get go. While this isn’t an overly long novel, the characters are extremely easy to connect with. Experiencing the relationship with them, through the highs and lows, and learning whether all of it was truly worth it was a beautiful thing. The twists and surprises in the book, while somewhat predictable, were still a fabulous addition and kept me intrigued (as if I needed help there, let’s be honest). When it all came back around, it was about a girl and boy who just wanted to love each other. And that made ME love them and the book.
Miller makes it look so easy. That’s honestly the best way to explain her and her writing style. She has this… this way with words that are so eloquent. If you know Laura Miller’s previous work, you won’t be surprised to hear that this is set in a small town with country life. It’s what she does, and I hope she never changes because she’s just so damn good at it. The stories change. The twists change. The characters are always different and each story stands on its own. But at the end of the day, if you say fairytale-like, small town romance novels, I’ll say Laura Miller. As far as I’m concerned, it’s her genre and she owns it Every. Single. Time.
It’s written as a back and forth of present day and flashbacks. As moments and experiences pass within each timeframe, you’ll find yourself feeling the love (and angst) grow with each page. I’m not a huge fan of flashbacks and I know I sound like a broken record for saying that, but Miller made me love it. I’m not sure if I was looking forward to the next here and now encounters, or watching their relationship change with each page of the past more. I know I’ve also said this before in past reviews, but she shows that you don’t have to turn your romance novel into erotica just to tell an interesting story. There’s not one sex scene. Not one. But you remember how you felt kissing the boy that showed you what love really meant? Or that heart meltingly, goosebump-inducing feeling of a smile? She nails those, and I feel like she evokes the exact same reactions that others strive to achieve. She writes classy romance with realistic storylines, or at least realistic for this Okie. J
Overall, no one does sweet, heartwarming romance like Miller, and When Cicadas Cry is right up there with the others. It’s a memorable, romantic tale with lovely characters and a charming (yet heartbreaking at times) story that you won’t want to put down. Do you notice how many “happy” words are in this review? Lovely? Beautiful? Because that’s what Laura Miller does. She makes my heart happy, and she has done it yet again. I sound like a serious fangirl huh? There’s a reason I’m a fangirl. Just sayin’.
When’s the next one, Laura? My heart’s ready. Oh and did I spy two friend's of the main character that were named...Erin and Katie? Coincidence?? Eeek! lol
<3 Erin
It’s written as a back and forth of present day and flashbacks. As moments and experiences pass within each timeframe, you’ll find yourself feeling the love (and angst) grow with each page. I’m not a huge fan of flashbacks and I know I sound like a broken record for saying that, but Miller made me love it. I’m not sure if I was looking forward to the next here and now encounters, or watching their relationship change with each page of the past more. I know I’ve also said this before in past reviews, but she shows that you don’t have to turn your romance novel into erotica just to tell an interesting story. There’s not one sex scene. Not one. But you remember how you felt kissing the boy that showed you what love really meant? Or that heart meltingly, goosebump-inducing feeling of a smile? She nails those, and I feel like she evokes the exact same reactions that others strive to achieve. She writes classy romance with realistic storylines, or at least realistic for this Okie. J
Overall, no one does sweet, heartwarming romance like Miller, and When Cicadas Cry is right up there with the others. It’s a memorable, romantic tale with lovely characters and a charming (yet heartbreaking at times) story that you won’t want to put down. Do you notice how many “happy” words are in this review? Lovely? Beautiful? Because that’s what Laura Miller does. She makes my heart happy, and she has done it yet again. I sound like a serious fangirl huh? There’s a reason I’m a fangirl. Just sayin’.
When’s the next one, Laura? My heart’s ready. Oh and did I spy two friend's of the main character that were named...Erin and Katie? Coincidence?? Eeek! lol
<3 Erin
