After The Storm by Marie Landry.

For most people, starting senior year at a new high school would be a nightmare, but for Ella O’Dell it’s the new beginning she desperately needs. Two months after her mother’s death, she’s ready to leave behind the rebellious, unhappy person she became when she found out her mom was dying.
When Ella meets River Maracle and Sadie Fitzgerald, she begins to learn it’s okay to be herself, even if that means being different. River and Sadie aren’t ashamed of their misfit status—River grew up on a reservation, and his mother is the school counselor; Sadie stands out with her funky homemade clothes, and is a master at ignoring the whispered rumors that have plagued her since the beginning of high school.
Ella finds a kindred spirit in Sadie, and something more in River. After almost a year of pretending to be someone she’s not, she finally embraces life and allows herself to have fun without constant guilt. But despite her budding happiness, something is off with her new life. She doesn’t want to dwell on the past, but Angel Island is a small place, and she soon realizes her demons are harder to outrun than she thought…

Thoughts!

Ella was very hard to like in Waiting for the Storm and actually she was the one thing I disliked so I was apprehensive of her being the lead character in this book. I was pleasantly surprised! Ella's point of view gave such a clear insight into how and why she behaved the way she did. I admired how she recognised she needed to change who she had become, although she was a overly critical of herself at times. I liked seeing Charlotte and Ezra's relationship in Ella's point of view and how she reconnected with Charlotte. I also loved how Ezra treated her like a sister, overlooking her previous behaviour and  looking out for her.

I absolutely loved the misfit trio, Sadie, River and Ella were quite different but united by their personal tragedies. Sadie was lovely and so welcoming to Ella, I loved how she encouraged Ella. Sadie's background was very harsh and confusing but she had remained upbeat and unique which I admired. River seemed so mysterious to begin with but actually was very open with Ella and very good at listening to her. I loved how their relationship developed slowly. It was great to see the Angel Island community again and I liked seeing how Charlotte, Ella and their Dad were slowly moving on with their lives positively.  

Rating!

Ella really surprised me and I loved the Angel Island community and life outside of summer.

Thank you to Marie Landry for gifting me a copy of After The Storm.

Have you read the Angel Island books?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx