ARC Review: If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
Release Date: March 26 2013
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Format: ARC Paperback
Pages:258
Genre: YA/Contemporary
Source: Publisher

Goodreads Synopsis:
THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND ... 

A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen-year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey's younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and the girls are found by their father, a stranger, and taken to re-enter the "normal" life of school, clothes and boys. 
Now, Carey must come to terms with the truth of why their mother spirited them away ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won't let her go ... a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn't spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.


My Thoughts:
If You Find Me is unbelievably heart-breaking. An emotional read like no other. If you do not cry while reading this, then I believe you have no heart.

Carey and Nessa's story is unlike anything I have read. The struggles and tribulations that these two girls have had to face at such a young age is just unreal. Being left to fend for themselves in the middle of the woods while their mother goes off on her drug binges. She leaves them for weeks if not months at a time. 
Carey has been taking care of her little sister Nessa since she was born. Everything that she has ever done has been to protect her little sister. All of the unthinkable situations that they have been through, her only thought is to make sure that Nessa is safe and well cared for. 

Carey's mother has always made her believe that she took her away from her father because he was abusive. She made her believe that the life she currently lives is far better than what she would have lived if they had stayed. But one day when her mother doesn't come back and two strangers show up, Carey's life is turned upside down and everything she has ever been raised to believe is stripped bare and she is left to wonder if she will ever truly be able to trust anyone ever again.

The emotion pours off the pages. I cried so hard even during the first few chapters. You become sucked into Carey and Nessa's journey. I was able to connect with both of these girls. Emily is a wonderful storyteller. She makes you connect and your heart bleeds for these characters. 

To say that this is one of the greatest stories I have read is an understatement. This great Contemporary will leave you breathless. You will not be able to finish until you get to the very end. I read this story in just a couple of hours, it is that compelling.

Bravo Ms. Murdoch Bravo!!