A Song for Julia by Charles Sheehan-Miles

 Everyone should have something to rebel against.

Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.

Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy.

When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart. {Synopsis taken from Goodreads}

FIVE STARS!
Purchase: A Song for Julia (Thompson Sisters)



{Stephenie}
I'm so nervous for this review Darcie, I hope my words don't fail me, I just loved this book so much! For me Charles has a style of writing that just captures my attention and holds it until I put the book down. He creates these wonderful characters that have these real conversations that are honest and real. I feel the emotion right along with the characters and I think that's something beautiful that Charles is able to do.

He creates Crank and I instantly loved him! From the very first page that we're introduced to him to the very last one I loved reading about him. What was your favorite thing about Crank?

{Darcie}
I am with you that one! A Song for Julia was such a powerful and thought provoking read, I am in love with Charles Sheehan-Miles writing! Once I started reading, I could not put it down so I am hoping that we are able to bring justice to the book with this review.

I thought Crank was HOT!!! Totally my kind of guy! I know I sound like a schoolgirl but he is definitely swoon-worthy! I not a fan of his short temper though, especially when it is directed at his father. I wanted to smack him in the head several times throughout the book. I understand they have a strained relationship but Jack is his father and he needs to remember that. On the other side of that thought, I love his relationship with his dad when they aren't fighting,  how they become such a strong unit when it comes to Crank's brother Sean. I love the banter between him and Julia too. He doesn't take any crap from her and she is the same for him. He is as laid-back as she is high-strung.
What did you think of Julia, (do you think Charles Sheehan-Miles pulls off writing in the POV of a chick)?

{Stephenie} 
Charles absolutely nailed being a woman! I loved Julia and all of her imperfections and her vulnerable side.  She was snarky and kind of a bitch to him but that didn't stop me from wanting to know more of Julia's story. As I read more about Julia, my heart broke for her and what she had been through. I'm curious how you felt Charles Sheehan-Miles handled writing a woman's POV?

{Darcie}
I am gonna have to agree on that one too, I feel like he created a character that was believable and that women could relate to. She was often grumpy with Crank sometimes but I feel like she had to be to protect herself. Her relationship with Crank was so intense that I could understand why she was so defensive towards him. Of all the character's in the book, which one of them was your favorite?

{Stephenie}
Wow! Ugh I have to pick one? I think it's going to have to be Crank. He was such a great character to read about, he was complex and I loved that about him. I especially loved the side of that he showed with his family. He was very loving and patient with his little brother Sean and that made me love him even more. Speaking of Sean, I loved him so much too! He added such a great layer to this book that had me in tears at times. How about you, who was your favorite character?

{Darcie}
Julia would have to be my favorite character, even though she acted closed off from the world I felt like that was exactly what it was, acting. I absolultely loved her relationship with Sean and felt like she brought peace to a family in chaos by befriending Sean and treating him as though he was just a person instead of a disability.  Their interactions throughout the book had me feeling emotional and often times their conversations had me in tears. Without giving anything away, what was your favorite part of the book?

{Stephenie}
My favorite part of the book was the dialogue that Charles Sheehan-Miles created between all of the the characters. Like you, I often times found myself in tears over realizaions and honesty.  Charles, has a beautiful way with words and I soaked up each and every one of them! What about you?

{Darcie} 
You're right, Charles really does have a way with words. I would have to say that my favorite part of the book was Sean's birthday party. It was such an important and emotionally charged scene. I feel like it gave us insight into sides of the characters we hadn't seen and their relationships with each other.  

{Stephenie}
That's so true, that scene was such an emotional one. I just loved it. I think everyone needs to go and read this one, they won't be sorry. 

{Darcie}
Get yourself a box of tissues and read this book! You will not be disappointed!

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