Penitence

After reading Heavenly, the first book of this series, I was very excited to read Penitence. I just began reading it and things I wasn't excepting were happening. Zoe is taken from Matthias's arms to start over again, with lots of suffering. But pain isn't the worse part, Matthias is gone. Personally, this part of the story was very important to me. I started reading it after being in an accident (not exactly as Zoe's) and I thought the author did a great job writing about it. The feelings, the pain, the people around you. It was awful to read Zoe missing Matthias. In these moments she needed him the most, and he wasn't there. And then she understands Matthias isn't going to be her guardian angel anymore. But I was glad that even when being so sad, she understood that she still had to live, and they will see again when it is time. But Zoe's problems doesn't end here. Albert is visiting her. He seems good, but he's causing pain to her family and Matthias comes back to protect her. was loving the book. Zoe was a much better person than in Heavenly, although she was always sad. But then Weston came. If you read the first book, you know Weston is the bad guy. He wants Zoe to forgive him, but I don't understand how she starts spending more and more time with him until suddenly, there is a love triangle! I'm not a fan of love triangles, and I really don't like them when there is someone as Weston, that I really hate. He tried to hurt her in the first book, and now being with him is making worse her relationship with her "best friend". I was really mad about this, because Zoe has grown up and matured, and I don't understand why she is attracted to him. I understand she missed Matthias, but she kept saying she was so in love with him but then desired another one? Anyway, I'm curious about what is going to happen in the next book, Absolution. I want to know more about her brother and parents, and I really hope Matthias and Zoe can find a way yo be together.show more

READ THIS BOOK, please, you will never regret about that! This book totally fill out all my expectative: the love, the pain, the new guy ;) , a new lovely family, all kind of experience that made me read this book as quickly as the first book! The first pages were... a little bit depressive; you know, an angel and a girl: bad combination. Tragic love. Impossible love. I had never read about such an innocent character as Matthias. But don't get me wrong: I was in complete shock when I read the couple of pages when Matthias shows us more human feelings than heavenly =). It was so hilarious, I just can't stop laughing and smiling at all (think these were my favorite pages!). Like I was saying, I couldn't get used to ashamed myself for having a dirty mind and thoughts; it could be Matthias I was reading, but I just wanted to throw at him. I love him, that's all. The new addition on this book: Weston. I hate him for what he might does (who wouldn't), but my interesting in him grew more and more through the pages, and I found me kind of loving him! I don't know when that happens: There was the time when you could understand that you are reading a book from an EXCELLENT, WONDERFUL author. 2 books of 2: the last pages put you on the edge of your bed/chair/whatever. I am impressed how Jennifer Laurens writes a book with so many topics, and each of them as interesting as the other ones. I just don't know how to explain the feeling about this series, because I took me out of place that I read a book that I can hardly find something wrong on it. Now I'll have to wait like a million years for "Absolution", the third book. (Estoy fascinada con este libro. Trata sobre amor prohibido, una familia disfuncional en proceso de sanaci�?�³n, un hermano que le cuesta encontrar el camino del bien, un mundo lleno de mentiras, de amistades falsas, de grandes provocaciones... definitivamente no querr�?�¡s perderte un libro tan completo y de excelente calidad. Jennifer Laurens es mi revelaci�?�³n del a�?�±o).show more

Penitence starts at the exact point that Heavenly ends, there is a nice recap of the events within the first couple of chapters. Although I do think that you need to read Heavenly to fully appreciate the relationship dynamics and interactions, the recap is not overdone, refreshing the memory and emotions tied to it. I have to say that the storyline didn't go the way I was thinking it would, *no spoilers* it is nevertheless a powerful, emotional and thought provoking book. The emotions were like a tidal wave from the very beginning. Following on from Zoe's near death experience and time spent in paradise with Matthias. I could completely relate to how Zoe was feeling, the adage 'Death is easy it is living that is hard', popped into my head. Not only does Zoe have to cope with nearly dying, having some horrific injuries but also being dragged away from Matthias and paradise. How awful must that feel, thrown back into a world of pain and confusion. As a parent myself, I could also relate to how Zoe's parents must have felt seeing their daughter lying on a hospital bed on the verge of death. Talk about my worst nightmare. The idea that the spirits of loved ones are there waiting for us to cross-over when we die brought tears to my eyes. The writing is emotionally charged, I cry, laugh and despair right along with Zoe. Zoe's return to health gives her a new appreciation for life. Her inner strength is something I envy. I found myself wondering whether Zoe herself gained some 'heavenly' (no pun intended) powers upon her return. Again the religious references are non-denominational and open to your own beliefs/faith. I think the most important ideal in this series is that having faith in something beyond ourselves can help us cope with whatever life throws at us. A karma sort of thing, everything happens for a reason. Zoe's ability to forgive can only be described as 'divine' and again made me wonder if she had gained some sort of special powers. Forgiveness can be one of the hardest things to give, even if it is supposed to unshackle our souls, so to speak. All of the characters develop further. I found my dislike for Britt increasing and seriously wondered how Zoe could be friends to someone so shallow, vapid and self-centred. Brady actually gave me chills. Abria, although autistic, brings such entertainment with her antics. The image of a naked 5 year old eating oreos is hysterical. I can just picture my nearly 5 year old getting up to the same things Abria does given half the chance, drawing on walls with a marker (she has done that) and making angel shapes in snack crumbs is just adorable. The only one I couldn't understand was Luke, Zoe's brother, I honestly thought that after Heavenly, he was really going to give up doing drugs and couldn't quite understand why he has gone back to them or am I missing something about the nature of addiction here. The realism within the writing makes the book so easy to relate to. Even, Matthias, a guardian angel has emotions such as jealousy that have to be dealt with and make him more accessible. The introduction of Albert, Matthias's father, added another element to the story. Developing Matthias's background story and being truly terrifying in the process. I could really go on and on about this book but if I give anymore away, it might spoil your enjoyment of it and I wouldn't want to do that. There are a few shocks and surprises in store :) The last thing I will say is that the evil spirits just get more terrifying and every time I have an argument now I picture evil, black spirits crawling over me. It certainly puts an end to an argument quickly :) I would recommend everyone to read this book as I have already said it is powerful, emotional and thought provoking. It really stays with you long after you have turned the last page. I can't wait for Absolution even though I am sure to cry buckets of tears again :)show more