This is a private review, having received the book from the library thing website early reviewer programme.
The author has sent me a kindle download format of the books which is much appreciated since I have a kindle fire only. But in this case it is three separate books which has been rather a nuisance to correlate with the one BOOK Review! As well as trying to keep them together on the kindle carousel.
I must concur with the library thing website member, " chazzarcturus "
http://www.librarything.com/profile/chazzarcturus
finding it difficult to relate to the content of books 1 and 2,
And finding the difference in writing style (viz journal layout) in book 3 a difficult adjustment. It is all too true that some frightfully high percentage of marriages, oft quoted in the region of 90 percent plus do not survive the death of a young or indeed even not so young child. A double tragedy for a young family as this third book exemplifies. ( )

I had a hard time reading this set of books and was frequently lost with the events. I'm likely not the best audience for this book as an elderly agnostic who has a hard time remembering the angst of teen love and first serious relationships. I missed the birth of Case and Elisa's first born, Ruby and went back and reread 100 pages just trying to discover when she came into the story and how she related to the lost baby Zeke. The extremes of the Christian purists were a turn-off for me and only served to confirm some of the negative feelings I have towards all organized religions. The adventure of running off and supporting themselves on their music was not something I found very believable especially with the complete alienation of friends and family. Once the darkness of children having to cope with a seriously challenged baby and the emotional turmoil accompanied by the marital stress of having to support an existing family and abandon a lifelong dream of living with music proved to be a major life influence for both sides of the relationship. The untimely death of Elisa's father to cancer was just another burden that had to be lived with. I was amazed that they were able to cope as a family and come through it all intact. The story line is much darker than those that normally appeal to me. I've lived my own dark periods in life and look to read plots that allow me to escape further emotional turmoil rather than subject myself to situations brought on by immaturity and inability to judge the true nature of both relationships and imposed environments. I would only recommend this book to those without life experience who desire to seek instruction about how not to do life! ( )

I really enjoyed the book format of the trilogy, that is to say the first section/book. The writing style of story helped introduce the reader to the main character/author and help us relate more than the later parts that were more "blog" style of entries. The adventure of the author and the struggles made the book an enjoyable read. Bible Thumper learned and matured and I'm glad I was able to peak in on and share in the experiences. ( )

I had a tough time getting into this book. I don't think I was the intended audience. The thoughts and dialogue were choppy to me. I felt the author jumped all over the place and over described some events while not really explaining others. Some of the things she described and wrote about, in my mind I thought "Really? Why worry or think that?"
So, overall, I could not relate to this series. ( )

A well-written autobiographical series representing the author's life as drawn from journal entries. This work required an adjustment for me to both the writer's changing and somewhat "Irish shanty" writing style as well as her lassiez faire attitude towards life's twists and tribulations. Overall
I give her a thumbs-up and admit to being drawn to the work as a moth to flame. I would recommend it for struggling adolescents as required reading for life skill development, if only as DON'T DO IT LIKE SHE DID!!! ( )