Download Ô PDF, DOC, TXT or eBook º Calia Read
Six months ago, I was happy. I was simply Naomi Carradine.
One month ago, I was admitted into a psych ward.
Yesterday, Lachlan visited me. Kissed me. And told me that I’m starting to lose my mind.
Hours later, Max haunted my thoughts, reminding me I’m not crazy and that he needs my help.
A few minutes ago, I drifted further from reality, trying to unravel the past.
And now...everyone thinks I’m insane. But, I know he's real, and I know he needs me.
Do you believe me? Unravel (Fairfax, #1)
“God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose. Take which you please– you can never have both.”
Brilliant. This book... I'm still not sure what it's done to me. I was mesmerized by Unravel. I was consumed by the need to know what was going on and it was unputdownable!
“Most people believe the truth is a delicate little bird. They think it's harmless. But I know something they don't.”
____________________________________________
♦︎ The Story ♦︎
____________________________________________
Six months ago, I was happy. I was simply Naomi Carradine.
One month ago, I was admitted into a psych ward.
Yesterday, Lachlan visited me. Kissed me. And told me that I’m starting to lose my mind.
Hours later, Max haunted my thoughts, reminding me I’m not crazy and that he needs my help.
A few minutes ago, I drifted further from reality, trying to unravel the past.
And now...everyone thinks I’m insane. But, I know he's real, and I know he needs me.
Do you believe me?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had to use the Goodreads blurb. If I made my own recap I probably would have said too much.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was one hell of a ride. From start to finish, I couldn't tear my eyes away. I had to suffer the whole day feeling like sh*t warmed over because I used the 'just one more chapter' line. One chapter was most definitely not enough.
I was constantly thinking up new theories, trying to get a grasp of what was going on... the unpredictability of Unravel kept me on my toes.
I wish I could say that I savored every page, every word and took my absolute time reading but I just couldn't. I'm
“I’ve decided that love is a sickness. But not a first.”
____________________________________________
♦︎ Characters ♦︎
____________________________________________
“I think we’re all trying to be a winner in a losing game.”
I'll have to be really vague about the characters, as to not give anything away...
Each character was shrouded in mystery. Especially Naomi. I had so many thoughts running through my head– could I trust her and/or anything she's telling me, is what she's saying even true, is she crazy, or the even bigger question, is she sane...?
____________________________________________
♦︎ Overall ♦︎
____________________________________________
What really solidified the five stars for me was that, while Unravel dealt with some weighty subjects, it didn't suffocate me. I didn't feel like I was drowning in everything. I never felt like it was too much.
And despite all the uncertainty and pain, this was also a story about love and healing.
If you're looking for a atypical story with mystery and a good dose of some steamy scenes then look no further!
“Tell me what you’re fighting and I’ll fight with you,” he whispers into my hair.
9781495300974
Oh, little crazy book, you were one HUGE unexpected surprise. I mean, surely the chances of enjoying two New Adult books in the space of just a couple of days is about 10 million to one? Two New Adult books that are insanely different, themes and worlds apart from one another, and yet both good? Impossible, one might think! But I was utterly mesmerised by this book that was part love story and part - and this is the bit that fascinated me - psychological thriller. Just before I get onto the good stuff, I feel like I should warn everyone straight away that there is a particularly graphic and disturbing rape scene that some of you may want to avoid. But if you can stomach the horrors, read onward.
At the beginning of this book, we immediately meet our protagonist, Naomi Carradine, who is in a mental institution. Naomi is adamant that she knows the truth: she is in love with Max - the man who haunts her every thought and whom she misses dearly. But no one else will believe her story. The doctors seem to think that Max isn't real, that he only exists inside Naomi's mind. Telling a story that alternates between her present life in the mental hospital and the past as she retells it to her psychiatrist, Naomi weaves a picture of her life. Who is Max? Is he real, as Naomi claims him to be? Will the doctors ever believe her story? And, even more importantly, will you?
I won't claim to be the most astute reader, but I don't think I'm bad at working things out, and this book kept me guessing right up until the end. I had several theories as to what was going on and I didn't come near to the truth until the ending was just around the corner. I love psychological stories that explore the dark aspects of the human mind and keep the reader wondering where the line between fiction and reality is drawn.
There's some sexy bits in this novel, as seems to be a requirement in New Adult, which was all well and good. I have to admit that any romancing and sexy times got side-swept for me by the far more interesting psychological side to the story. While the book is quite heavy on the romance/sex, at its heart it's really about something else entirely. Which is perhaps what makes it stand out. But both Max and Lachlan were sexy, sweet and completely free of douchebagitis so I liked the hot lovin' parts of the book well enough.
I can dream. I can imagine and hope, but it will never change a thing. And the most terrifying thing is that I know, I know there’s more to the story. There’s another train coming straight at me, at full speed. Yet I can’t see it. I can only hear the ground slightly tremble. The tracks rattling beneath my feet. I can hear the sound of a whistle blaring. But I can’t move. All I can do is hope that when it does hit, I die in seconds.
My first feeling as I put this book (well, my kindle) down was that I wanted to start again from the beginning and see how everything looked from the perspective of someone who knows the truth. I love books that can do that. That surprise you. I only hope the rest of you find this as engrossing as I did.
“I’m not crazy,” I repeat. “I’m not crazy. I’m not crazy…” - do you believe her?
Blog | Leafmarks | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr 9781495300974 Stringing words together to form coherent sentences after reading this is almost impossible. I keep saying this, but I have to say it again. I lost my heart somewhere in this book and it hasn't been returned to me.
It stole it.
It owned it.
It broke it.
It unraveled it.
It moved it.
The last year I've been struggling with reading. Books have been boring me. I've stopped a ridiculous amount of them at 30% and just moved on. I've sucked at reviewing. It's gotten to the point it's pathetic. I've become a blogger that rarely reviews. It's hard to find a book that makes me want to scream it from the rooftops and I refuse to pour my heart into a review that didn't make me want to sing, dance and feel alive. I was becoming despondent, desperate for something to steal the breath from my lungs. To wrap its warm arms around me and bury itself into my deepest recesses. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one.
I'm a romance reader.
This is not your typical romance. It's a physiological thriller with romance in it.
I didn't think it would be something I would go crazy for. I honest to God didn't.
I was wrong!
WRONG.
WRONG.
WRONG.
I'm trying desperately, searching for words to explain myself. To explain to you why you need to read this book.
God, please, please read this book.
It took me, swept me into its current and kept tossing me around. It burned its way into my brain, scarring it in a way that makes it deliciously unforgettable.
The plot, well I figured it out early. About a quarter way into the book. The clues were there, blazing and bright. I don't know if the author did this on purpose. If she did, I think it was brilliant.
PURE F*CKING BRILLIANCE.
Let me explain why...
You see, knowing what was going on made the pain in this story all the more real. It permeated my heart, surrounded me and choked the feelings from my soul. It shook me, made me bleed.
I couldn't stop reading.
I haven't had that feeling in so long I forgot what it actually felt like. It's euphoric, blissful, a drug which flows so thickly through your system you're in a cloudy haze that is only Lach, Lana, Naomi and Max.
The pain ... jeeeezzzzzzz.
I had to rub my chest, put my head between my legs to gather my breath. I had to read through eyes flowing with tears. Cheeks stained red from rubbing my face.
I felt this book.
I FELT IT, FELT EVERY OUNCE OF MENTAL ANGUISH. Every part of her trauma. The pull and push of her mind.
I saw the unraveling of her secrets. I wanted to reach into the book and hold her to me. Comfort her and love her. I wanted to scream, fight, kick, and bleed with her. I wanted to be the balm to her ache. I wanted to save her, help her.
This is deep.
DEEP.
The characters are brilliantly shown, not told. The story unfolds like a puzzle, pulling you into its grips. It's tantalizing. It's heart wrenching. It's interesting. It's intriguing.
IT'S EVERYTHING.
A perfectly and intricately crafted web of anguish.
Lana, the broken girl, scared, hurt, troubled, wanting to be loved. But not knowing anything, but pain.
Naomi, the strong, confident glue that holds Lana together. The beat of Lana's heart. She keeps her sane in a way. AHHHHHH! My lord.
Max, the sexy, unf*ckingbelievably hot Alpha that sweeps you off your feet, that takes your heart between his palms and SLAYS IT from the first look, to the last.
Lach ... Sweet Jesus, Lach. The strong, confident childhood friend that grows into the love of your life. The backbone, the healer, the man that takes you and saves you! The everything. EVERYTHING. #teamlach
Mother of all that is good and holy...
WHAT CAN I SAY? There's nothing. No words that can do it justice. No words that can describe what it did to my heart, soul and mind.
This author did what the title implies.
SHE UNRAVELED ME.
SHE STOLE MY REALITY.
SHE CLIMBED INTO MY HEART.
SHE EMBEDDED HERSELF IN MY PORES.
I'm blown away.
You don't need to know anything more than this. It'll be a spoiler. Just read it. Feel it. LOOK CLOSELY. See the story behind the story. Feel the anguish. Let it take you. Let the words grip your soul. Find the healing behind the pain.
This is more than a book.
THIS IS WHY WE READ!
Unravel is the best book of 2014 by a mile wide. To be truthful it's one of the best books I've EVER read!
Wow, just WOW! No star rating could EVER be enough.
AMAZON LINK: http://amzn.to/1dzUdcC
PS: Please be advised that this book contains rape. It is for adults only (IMO) and touches on several elements that should not be taken lightly.
♥♥♥ FAVORITE QUOTES ♥♥♥
❥F*ck the truth. It was the heart that was my worst enemy. It was the one that was going to cut me. Bleed me. It would be the one that would kill me. <<--- My soul felt this.
❥Remember that even the purest of souls have darkness in them. It might be hard to spot. Perhaps they've perfect the art of covering it from the world. Or maybe it's hidden in a dark corner of their mind. But it's there. No one in this world is scar free. <<----WHAT A QUOTE!
❥Tell me what you're fighting and I'll fight with you, he whispers into my hair. <<<------- MELT ME, F*CK ME, TAKE ME. I can't even. *lets out a labored breath*
❥When I touch you I want you to always remember it comes from me and no one else. His fingers drift over my hips, across my inner thigh. I want you to never forget me. <<--- OWN ME, IMPRINT YOURSELF INTO ME, LOVE ME! Whewwwwwwww **licks lips*
❥I've decided that love is a sickness. But not at first. At first it's delicious. Just like a dessert. Nothing compares to that first bite. And you don't savor, but you become ravenous. You know this could be the best thing you've ever had, so you keep tasting, you keep taking. Your greed clouds reason and by the time you realize you've gone too far, it's too late. The love is gone and you're left with nothing, but pain. <<<----- THIS MADE ME SOB. Truth, truth, truth!
❥Sex. Love. Fucking. Call it what you want but they are all the same. Each one requires you to give a piece of yourself that you can never get back. But with the right person, everything will align perfectly. The world stops turning on it's axis, time slows and you realize that while you're losing a piece of yourself, you're also gaining something in return. <<<------ SHIVERS. FULL BODY SHIVERS!
9781495300974
*** SPOILER FREE REVIEW *** 4.5 stars
…everyone thinks I’m insane. But, I know he’s real, and I know he needs me. Do you believe me?
Wow -- my mind is spinning!!
Unravel hooked me right from the start, kept me guessing the whole way through, and both shocked and impressed me with the way all the intricately woven layers came together at the end.
I honestly feel like this is one of those books where the less you know about it, the more you'll enjoy it. Also, literally anything I say about the storyline will either give something away or be misleading so I'm actually not going to talk about the plot at all in this review. The only thing I'll share is the book's blurb (which was all I knew going into the story too)....
Six months ago, I was happy. I was simply Naomi Carradine.
One month ago, I was admitted into a psych ward.
Yesterday, Lachlan visited me. Kissed me. And told me that I’m starting to lose my mind.
Hours later, Max haunted my thoughts, reminding me I’m not crazy and that he needs my help.
A few minutes ago, I drifted further from reality, trying to unravel the past.
And now...everyone thinks I’m insane. But, I know he's real, and I know he needs me.
Do you believe me?
Like I said, I was hooked from the first chapter and was instantly drawn into the story. By the end of the second chapter, I just got these chills and there was just no turning back.
Here we have the story of a girl whose world was collapsing around her -- she'd been involuntarily committed to a mental health institute, the guy she counted on left her, her memories of another guy haunted her, and no one believed her. This was her story. It was told in pieces -- bits in the past, bits in the present.... some parts in her mind, some parts in reality... and it was up to you to try and figure out what was real.
Each time I see him, I become convinced that it will be different, that he won't disappear on me.
From the beginning, the biggest questions I had were -- Was this girl crazy or sane? How much of what I was reading was real? Were these memories real? Was the present day real? Was it all in her head or was it really happening? I loved that feeling of just not knowing what to think... where literally anything was a possibility.
Every day is unknown for me. Every day I wake up feeling like I'm surrounded by a heavy fog and I know I'm missing a piece of myself, and I don't know where it is.
I'm getting a lot of readers asking me if there is a romance and the answer is -- yes!! The romance is an integral part of the story. It's not the only part, but it's definitely a strong, central element.
My heart is stuck in my throat, as I look him over. I love him so much. I love him too much to be considered healthy. I know that.
Someday, you're gonna get out of here. He utters the last of his words slowly. And everything's going to be okay.
Tell me what you're fighting and I'll fight with you.
My head was just spinning for the first half of the book. I didn't know what to think. And, I'll admit though that while I did enjoy the book the whole way through, there was a point where I was just like -- where is this going?? Is there even a way it can come together?? But then it did. It totally did.
I think what makes or breaks this kind of story is whether or not the explanation at the end makes sense and genuinely answers all the questions and fills in all the blanks. And this one did make sense.
The build-up was quiet but powerful. I read this book in one sitting and the closer I got to the end, the faster I flipped the pages. I was desperate for answers. I had chills and was just holding my breath!!
In all honesty, when I finished the book, my first thought was just WOAH. Then my second thought was along the lines of -- No way. No way that actually worked. But then... I went back over the story scene by scene, moment by moment and if you look at it, it all works. It really all makes sense.
I will say though that even though the ending was fully resolved, I maybe would have wanted more details given to me. In this case, I was basically told the answer but left to go back and figure out how all the pieces fit together for myself. On the flip side, it was kind of fun to go back and look at each scene from a different light after knowing the twist. When I was finished the book, I literally just sat there re-reading scenes as I figured out what was really happening in each one. It was very complex and while a part of me did kind of wish the book had kind of walked me through it a little more, the bottom line is that the book does have a fully resolved ending. It's crazy the way it all works out but it does.
By the way, this is not a 'dark' romance, nor is it disturbing. It's the story of a girl and the mystery of unraveling the layers of her memories. Again, the love story is a strong element in the story and a huge part of her life. The whole plot is just very complex and makes you question everything you read.
I really love it when a book is able to genuinely take me by surprise and keep me guessing like this one did. The more I think about all the layers, the more impressed I am with the way it all came together. I loved that the book leaves you thinking. I'm still running sections of it over and over in my mind processing it from all the different angles. It's really very well done!
If you're looking for a really different read that'll mess with your mind and take you on a crazy ride, try this one out! It was SO good!
He holds me and I know I'm safe.
Rating: 4.5 stars. This is a standalone.
****************************
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
9781495300974 DNF
I'm sorry.
I have been trying for three days to get through this book.
I went into it blind.
There's a lot of love for this book on GR and my interest was piqued.
I can read a dark book from time to time but this is not my preferred genre.
This had something in it that I seriously have an aversion to .
I'm not a fan of that and so I must DNF, which I RARELY do.
But I can't take another night of this!
That has been me, every single night.
I wouldn't say this is a bad book, it's just not my cuppa.
Please don't let my thoughts stop you from reading this book because there are plenty out there who really LOVED this one. :)
9781495300974
4.5 Stars
[image error] 9781495300974 5 CRAZY STARS
This book was even better the second time!! I devoured it!!
Wow what a crazy ride!!It will blow your mind!From the first chapter, I was hooked!!It had me confused and guessing all the way through the end!There where moments I thought I had figured out what happened and then I was like no it can't be this!This book is really unique!!It will captivate you!!
At the beginning I didn't know exactly what to expect with this one.I had read the synopsis and the only thing I was thinking it was Wow I need to read this book immediately!!
The story of Naomi is confusing in the beginning..
Naomi is in a psychiatric hospital and she tells her story with flashback.The story revolved around her best friend Lana and Lachlan and Max the two men who was inportant in Naomi life's.From the first moment until close to the end I couldn't stop wondering
what really happened??
Lana and Naomi where opposites but perfect for each other.Lana was shy and Naomi was loud.Naomi was protective and care about Lana.She was a good friend and she was there whenever Lana need her!
I feel awfull for Lana's condition :// poor girl!I was intrigued by both men..While Max was hot and charming,Lachlan with one word he was perfect!!!I fell in love with him from the beginning!!He really cares about Naomi and he was there for her!!
This book takes you through so many emotions. ..Slowly the secrets and truths of what really happen..will unravel and the end will leave you speechless!!
It's my first book from Calia and I would like to say she did an amazing job!!!
I can't wait to read more from her!!
If you are looking for a mind trip which will blow your mind this is what you need!!I highly recommend it!! 9781495300974 3.5 stars!
Unravel has one of the most gorgeous covers and an intriguing blurb. I've wanted to read this book for so long, but for some reason or another, I put it off. When I started reading, I was hooked. For some reason though, as the story went on, I got distracted. I'm not sure if it was the narration of the audiobook, or my mind set, but I never got fully invested in it. There were two big twists, and although one I guessed early one, one surprised me- although due to what I may have missed zoning out, I didn't quite understand it. Either way, this is one of those books I wished I would have READ instead of listened to. 9781495300974
Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest
I was watching a YouTube video recently about a psychiatrist talking about the portrayal of mental illness in films, and while talking about schizophrenia, he went on this side tangent about how he knew a couple patients who suffered from visual hallucinations and part of how they dealt with that was with their pets. If their cat or dog didn't react to the hallucination, then no matter how real it seemed, they knew it wasn't real.
I remembered that video while reading Calia Read's UNRAVEL. I thought to myself, Oh, man, what Naomi needs is a dog.
UNRAVEL is an interesting new adult book. Read's style, in how she combines mind-fucks and psychology, reminds me a lot of Tarryn Fisher's. Our heroine, Naomi, is in a mental hospital. We don't know why she's there, and neither does she. All she knows is that something horrible must have happened and that she needs to get out to save her two friends, Max and Lana.
This is one of those books where saying too much about it will ruin the entire story, but it has some pretty dark themes - mental illness, obviously; abuse; rape; self-harm; suicide; and so much more. The themes fit the story, though, and don't feel like they're thrown in there for shock value. The reveal, when it comes, is chilling. I saw it coming, but I have a degree in psychology and have read about some cases that were similar to this. That's all I'm going to say.
If you're tired of the typical instalove new adult formula, UNRAVEL is a great way to break the mold. It's dark AF, and a little slow in the beginning, but I feel like it's worth the ride - especially if you enjoy Tarryn Fisher's MUD VEIN.
3 to 3.5 stars 9781495300974
Wow! This was such an incredible read! Never have I been more entranced by a book when I really didn’t have a clear picture of what was actually going on. This is one of those books that’s really hard to review – there’s so much I want to say but, more than anything, I absolutely don’t want to spoil this one for anyone. The mysterious blurb really isn’t giving much away and I went into this blind, not knowing what to expect and I sincerely believe that is how to get the very most out of this book and that’s how I want you all to go in. I want you to all get the WOW factor when you read it. I promise that this is a spoiler-free review.
As the blurb says we know Naomi has been admitted to a pscyh ward and we know there are two important men in her life – Lachlan and Max. Naomi is tortured by visions, memories and the past and her story is slowly revealed throughout the book, mostly as her recollections to her new shrink. It’s all smoke and mirrors and the truth is shrouded in mist that only very slowly clears. I thought I had it figured out a couple of times but I was wrong and even when I did guess the secret at the heart of the story, and that was at about 90%, I still didn’t work out the whole of it.Most people believe the truth is a delicate little bird. They think it’s harmless.
But I know something they don’t.
If they dare to move their hands away from their body, they’ll discover that the little bird is gone. It’s torn their skin apart, traveled to the core of their souls, right where it hurts the most.
And that’s why I’m here and they aren’t.
This was so beautifully written, such a well-crafted and meticulously thought out plot that I found myself turning the pages long into the wee small hours. I just had to know where it was all leading. Naomi has significant people in her life but you’re never sure as you read the book what is actually real and what is actually a fabrication of Naomi’s disturbed mind. The people that have surrounded Naomi are, for the most part, characters that I really learnt to love and I so wanted them all to be real but their stories just don’t ‘fit’ and I struggled for the longest time to make sense of what was really happening but I was utterly compelled and so incredibly intrigued.
I actually found some scenes really quite frightening. Despite being surrounded by people who want to help her, I got very strongly a deep sense of loneliness and isolation from Naomi. People want to reach out and help her but she’s got to really ‘see’ things first for that mist to clear for her to become well and to accept their help. There is, of course, a villain and when Naomi’s tortured mind conjures him up when she’s alone in her room at the psych hospital, I felt and overwhelming sense of malevolence and keenly felt her terror.I hear his voice. It’s gritty. It’s harsh. It makes my blood freeze in my veins.
“Are you afraid of me?” he asks
Sweat beads on my upper lip as I stare down at my legs.
Don’t you speak to him. Don’t you dare, I tell myself.
I look up.
He crouches down. I hear his joints pop from the movement. It sounds like thunder. It ricochets in my skull until I grip the sides of my head in pain to make it stop.
He’s the one that speaks to me. He’s the one that terrifies me. He’s the very core of my nightmares.
This was so powerfully delivered that it built up to such an incredible crescendo and I was truly taken aback when, eventually, everything became clear. As a blogger, I read a lot of books and very few have the power to truly surprise me but this one definitely did. It’s a genuinely different read, one that’s very difficult to put down. It’s a very much a romance but I was so conflicted as I read it – both men in her life are just wonderful, the genuine love, affection and chemistry that they share really does leap off the page but you’re never sure what’s real and what isn’t.
When you finish the book, you will realise that all the clues are there and it’s the kind of ending that will make want to turn straight back to page one and read again, with full disclosure, knowing everything and really look at the story one more time.
I think this has just about everything – romance, intrigue, suspense, sex and a fair sized serving of despair. It’s a book that’s going to stay with me for a very long time, it’s really quite unforgettable. It’s at once disturbing and hopeful and I can highly recommend it. There’s very little I can say about the plot without giving too much away and I so don’t want to do that so all I can say is – this isn’t a book that you just read, this is a book that you experience. You just have to go with the confusing flow and let the story slowly unravel in front of you right through to the stunning reveal at the end.
5 stunning stars
5 stars 9781495300974