Review of By Way of Accident by Laura MillerReview done for Hooked on Books4 out of 5 starsRiver was 13 when he met his first love. He didn’t know what it was about Brooke, but that summer she taught him about life.Unfortunately, Brooke’s family was constantly moving, so she was gone by the end of summer.River and Brooke lost touch with each other after awhile but River could not forget about her. He went through all the typical teenager stuff but Brooke was all her could think about.Nine years after the last time they saw each other, fate gives them a second chance.This was a sweet Young Adult story. It was refreshing to see the story through the eyes of the young man. River and Brooke were both wonderful characters.I definitely recommend this book to fans of Young Adult stories. By way of accident drew me in straight away by the innocent gorgeous looking cover and the extremly intriguing and unique blurb. This looked like a great story from the blurb alone and I thought instantly that this story was going to a really true, heart warming/breaking love story that will stay with you long after you finish it. I knew it would be one of those stories that would stay in your heart forever....and I was right. This book was really about second chances, fate and love. The story was extremely beautiful and romantic and I can't think of a book that I have read that is in any way similar to this one.From the moment I started reading the book I knew I was going to be in for a rollercoaster of emotions all the way throughout, so I made sure I had the tissues handy. Lol The story was told from the POV Rivers. The male lead in the story. As we start the story off Rivers is only 13. He's a typical 13 year old that if you've could kids that age you could relate to easily. He's innocent, sweet, naive, and a nice boy, who works on his Granfathers farm during the summers. We follow Rivers throughout the story as he grows up in to adulthood and the journey he goes in along the way. The year he was 13 and working in his Grandfathers farm, he met a girl called Brooke. She was the same age and was with her family who travelled around for families job. As Brooke's family never stayed in anyone place for long, you knew Brooke and Rivers were never going to have long together. In the short time they spent together they both formed a connection that was so strong, that even at 13 years old they made a connection that would have a Huge impact in Both their lives forever. Rivers feel in love aged 13 and no one was ever going to be what he wanted or needed after Brooke stole his young heart. Once it's time for Brooke's family to move on again, River also learnt heartbreak and how hard it is to deal with. It doesn't matter if your 13 or 83, heartbreak is deverstating when you lose the love of your life and it was very sad watching Rivers deal with this loss at such a young age.I loved how Laura Miller made you feel that River and Brooke were in true love, even though they were so young. A lot of people think you could never find the love of your life at that age, but Laura wrote the story so convincingly that it didn't matter what age they were. Some people send there whole live looking for love like theirs, when you no you no and Laura made you understand that. She made you believe and understand when you knew you'd found the one and really pulled you in to their live and the utter heartbreak aswell. Laura wrote the connection between the 2 characters perfectly. She made you believe they were so much stronger together than apart. I wanted to just Jump in to the book and be part of the story with them, so I could their love and experience it with them. Brooke eventually had to leave and as much as they tried to stay in touch it was very hard but Brooke was always moving around, so letters got lost and so did their communication. Rivers never forgot Brooke though and he always held a spot for her in his Heart. River grows up throughout the story and he's still the sweetest person ever, but he's a man Now. His character is heart warming, captivating, charming and special in everyday. He was a amazing character throughout the whole book that you could connect with easily as a boy and as a adult. I loved he still thought about Brooke and knew that he had to find Brooke again and his determination to do so. Most of the book, probably 2 thirds were about River and his life and the ups and downs he goes through after losing Brooke. It's only in the last third by fate that Brooke is back in the story. This was my first book I have read by Laura Miller and I loved it. Her writing style was so pure and she has a great ability to tell a story so beautifully. She didn't need to put in sex scenes or make the story like a lot of the books these days. It reminds me of the books I used to read, just a nice love story that was very unique. Laura has a way of pulling you in to the story and going along the journey with the characters and making you feel everything they felt with them. Her writing was flawless, the book was romantic, the characters were endearing and the cover was stunning. I found it very refreshing to read this book and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it as it was beautiful and will leave you believing true love does exist. I'm defintly going to read more of Laura books in the future. Kim - Author Groupies 4.5 stars
