Swear on This Life: A Novel

Renée Carlino

Aug 2016 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Booklist, Top 10 Women’s Fiction of 2016

Goodreads Best Romance of August

Redbook.com’s “20 Books by Women You Must ReadThis Fall”

Popsugar’s “21 Fiction Reads to Add to Your Fall Reading List”

Bustle’s “11 New Romance Books Perfect for Summer Beach Reading”

Brit+Co’s “16 Must-Read Adult Books Out in August”

Sunset magazine’s “Bookmark this: Your ultimate summer reading list”

From USA TODAY bestselling author Renée Carlino (Before We Were Strangers), a warm and witty novel about a struggling writer who must come to grips with her past, present, and future after she discovers that she’s the inspiration for a pseudonymously published bestselling novel.

When a bestselling debut novel from mysterious author J. Colby becomes the literary event of the year, Emiline reads it reluctantly. As an adjunct writing instructor at UC San Diego with her own stalled literary career and a bumpy long-term relationship, Emiline isn’t thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of a young and gifted writer.

Yet from the very first page, Emiline is entranced by the story of Emerson and Jackson, two childhood best friends who fall in love and dream of a better life beyond the long dirt road that winds through their impoverished town in rural Ohio.

That’s because the novel is patterned on Emiline’s own dark and desperate childhood, which means that “J. Colby” must be Jase: the best friend and first love she hasn’t seen in over a decade. Far from being flattered that he wrote the novel from her perspective, Emiline is furious that he co-opted her painful past and took some dramatic creative liberties with the ending.

The only way she can put her mind at ease is to find and confront “J. Colby,” but is she prepared to learn the truth behind the fiction?

Ratings and reviews

Swear on This Life is sure to be an EPIC read of 2016; at least a top 5 contender. I could not put it down. From the first line to the very last this book consumed me. I devoured every single word. Readers will be captivated by this beautifully creative and unforgettable journey. You will hang on to every word eagerly awaiting the outcome…tearful and hopeful. Honestly every time I read a Renée Carlino book she manages to capture my attention and completely own it. This book was no different, but this may have been her absolute best work to date. Emiline, now an adult living in San Diego has struggled to come to grips with her past, but when she picks up a new bestseller she realizes how eerily similar the story of Emerson and Jackson seem to mirror her own upbringing with Jase, her best friend and first love. Written in her perspective Emiline is pissed that Jase would have the audacity to write her own story, but she can’t put it down. Em has been struggling to face what she’s been through and has never really opened up to anyone about her past, but as she reads Jase’s novel it forces her to start chasing some of those demons, but not before she finds and confronts Jase for what he’s done. Cleverly crafted, raw, and intense. This book is all-consuming. It will grab hold of you and nothing else in the world will exist. Five stars for this emotionally addictive ride.

This was such a heartwarming book to read. I guess it had its moments at times, but I couldn't put it down. It had me hooked and itching to keep on reading. I loved Em and Jase. Em reminded me of myself in so many ways and seeing her get the love she deserved was amazing. It felt like everything came back full circle. And Jase was like sweat tea on a winter night. He was so wonderfully warm and familiar. And so so patient. I can accept that this book wasn't perfect. For one, Em and Jase's characters could have been better developed as adults and I wanted to see more of them together after they reunited. The ending also felt a bit rushed and things seemed to fall into place too easily. It was "on the nose", and probably deliberate. But I can't seem to find myself caring too much. As a whole, it was a great book. I'd love to give it a sparkling 5 stars, but am holding myself back for reasons mentioned above.

***3.5 Stars*** Renee Carlino has been on my list of authors I’ve been wanting to read for a some time now and I even have an honest to goodness paperback copy of Before We Were Strangers on my bookshelf as a visual reminder that I do want to read her, but life and such always gets in the way. So when the opportunity to read an ARC by Renee Carlino came up I jumped since I tend to put them first and have a deadline on when I need to read them by. And while I got sucked into both storylines and couldn’t wait to see how everything turned out, I found myself having issues with both Emi and Jase and am still debating over whether or not I liked them. -------->> Full review can be found here: Books -n- Wine http://bit.ly/2bbdt41

About the author

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and the bestselling author of Sweet Thing, Nowhere But Here, After the Rain, Before We Were Strangers, Swear on This Life, and Wish You Were Here. She grew up in Southern California and lives in the San Diego area with her husband and two sons. To learn more, visit ReneeCarlino.com.