Destini Mia

Fern

If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?

Ambrose

"What scares you the most, son?" his father asked quietly. "Not a damn thing, Dad. I used to be afraid of going to hell. But now that I'm here, hell doesn't seem so bad."

What a heartbreaking, beautiful, inspiring story of love, death, and healing.

Fern has never been considered beautiful. Not even pretty. So she knows there is no chance of Ambrose, the outrageously handsome high school wrestling star, noticing her. But that hasn't stopped her from loving him. Even if she has to do it from afar. And then Ambrose and his friends join the Army... and only one comes back.

"... I'm just telling you right now. The lucky ones are the ones who don't come back."

Fern has got to be one of my favorite heroines ever. She was so brave, selfless and... pure. She was this ball of goodness and love and it's practically impossible not to love her.

Ambrose broke my heart. In every flashback, in every thought, you could feel the pain. His suffering over surviving. Making Faces is told both in past and present and what really tore at me was how fast Ambrose and his friends were growing up. Once they went to high school they joined the Army and you could see how that was taking their innocence away. I mean, we're talking about kids who are fighting for their country, seeing death & risking their lives. There was this one scene 'Get A Tattoo' that to me, was one of the most powerful scenes in the book.

Seeing Fern & Ambrose's relationship bloom was so... heartening. It wasn't about one healing the other but about them healing together. Being each other's rock. Supporting each other. Learning to love each other and themselves. The writing drew you in and immersed you into the story. My whole focus, for two days, was this book. Nothing held my attention like Making Faces did.

Now, saving the best for last... Bailey.

"... the robbed that smiles steals something from the thief."

Now that was the best, most amazing, inspiring character I've read about in a while. He stole the show. I loved Fern & Ambrose but Bailey was it. He was my man throughout the whole book. His outlook on life, his personality, his essence... it was... I can't even find a word to describe it. And I can never resist a man that makes me laugh *wink*

"I need a twelve pack and some chew," Bailey said seriously. Bob's mouth dropped open slightly, and he shifted his weight uncertainly.

"Um. Okay. Do you have your ID on ya?"

"Yep."

"Okay. Well... what would you like?"

"Starbursts come in packs of twelve don't they? And I prefer to chew Wrigley's. Mint, please."

***

"Do you stand naked in front of the mirror and flex every night? I mean, really, at least go into the adult film industry. At least it won't go completely to waste."

If you haven't added this one yet, I highly suggest you do!

"Doubt thou the stars are fire,

Doubt the sun doth move,

Doubt truth to be a liar,

But never doubt I love."