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Given to Fly
From the author of Fat Girl comes this sweet bodypositive romance with a single dad hero and a heroine faced with a life-changing choice. Annelise Lowe was taught that if she was a good enough person and Christian, all life’s puzzle pieces would simply fall into place. God would bless her with a happy marriage and children of her own. But those promises were shattered when she came face to face with her husband’s infidelity and her own infertility. The one unbiased friend she can lean on is the widowed father of a little girl in her preschool class. His own wounds still healing, Trek Blue needs Annelise as much as she needs him. Annelise discovers that Trek is another path to happiness…but can she turn her back on everything she’s been taught?
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2017
70 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
K.L. Montgomery
39Ìýbooks223ÌýfollowersK.L. Montgomery writes #bodypositive sweet romance and romcom. A librarian in a former life, she now works as an editor and runs the 5000-member Indie Author Support group on Facebook in addition to publishing under two names.
Though she remains a Hoosier at heart, K.L. shares her coastal Delaware home with some furry creatures and her husband, who is on the furry side as well. She has an undying love for her three sons, Broadway musicals, the beach, Seinfeld, the color teal, IU basketball, paisleys, and dark chocolate.
Visit K.L.'s website at and sign up for her newsletter. You can follow her on Facebook at , Twitter (@KLMontgomery8) or Instagram (k.l.montgomery)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 5, 2017
I had the pleasure of beta reading this book, and it was so wonderful and heartbreaking and enraging and heart-lifting and heartbreaking and... you got it. A roller-coaster! : )
Annelise is a beautiful human being! If you like reading about good people, she is it! One can't help but empathize with her.
Her husband is the worst d***bag...Ugh, I wanted to kick him in his useless nuts. : /
Annelise is a strong female too, fighting body shaming, a family who cares more about appearances than they do their own daughters, and the fear of leaving her husband and having to start a whole new life.
Mmm let's talk about Trek. Oh. My. God!
The guy wears glasses...
What? That's not hot enough for you?
Come ooooon!!!!
Okay, okay... he's also handsome and he's a nerdy professor and he's a lonely dad taking care of his two kids...on his own!
Hello, Mr. Perfect!
I already claimed Trek, you all, so you can just move along nicely, 'Kay?
Mine! Thanks! =p
As always, the writing is beautiful and flawless.
*hearty eyes*
If you want your heart broken, but also to laugh out loud and feel like breaking the d***bag's mouth, this book is for you. ; )
Annelise is a beautiful human being! If you like reading about good people, she is it! One can't help but empathize with her.
Her husband is the worst d***bag...Ugh, I wanted to kick him in his useless nuts. : /
Annelise is a strong female too, fighting body shaming, a family who cares more about appearances than they do their own daughters, and the fear of leaving her husband and having to start a whole new life.
Mmm let's talk about Trek. Oh. My. God!
The guy wears glasses...
What? That's not hot enough for you?
Come ooooon!!!!
Okay, okay... he's also handsome and he's a nerdy professor and he's a lonely dad taking care of his two kids...on his own!
Hello, Mr. Perfect!
I already claimed Trek, you all, so you can just move along nicely, 'Kay?
Mine! Thanks! =p
As always, the writing is beautiful and flawless.
*hearty eyes*
If you want your heart broken, but also to laugh out loud and feel like breaking the d***bag's mouth, this book is for you. ; )
March 17, 2017
Annelise is a woman who is a kindergarten teacher and just married her college sweetheart. She is slowly learning that life isn't always so peachy after you say I do. She thought that her purpose in life was to get married, have children and go to church. What will happen when she slowly realizes that her thoughts may not be reality? What will she do when her marriage starts going down a rocky road? How will her not being able to get pregnant effect her and her marriage? She is insecure with her weight and who she is. Will she learn to just be herself and not what everyone wants her to be? What will happen when she meets him? How will he change her life? Will he make her feel different about herself? What will he teach her? Is there an instant connection?
Trek is a father of two children, one of which is in her kindergarten class. He has lost his wife and just moved to the area trying to start over again. What will happen when he arranges for her to tutor his daughter? He feels a connection but does she? Will she help him heal? Will she teach him its okay to trust? He just needs a friend, will she be what he needs?
Annelise and Trek's relationship is one that grows throughout the story. You will love to see how they interact with each other. She is bond by vows and he is bond to a past. What will they do? When she is faced with decisions, will she make the right one? Will it matter what everyone else thinks? Will she honor her vows, family and faith and do what is right? Will she just learn to fly? The author has created a story with these characters that have quite a few twists and turns and many you won't see coming. She will have you sitting on the edge of your seat on minute and then asking how can someone be that nasty in the next. Find out what happens with these two as they work through struggles and find out if what they want is at the end!
This is my favorite story by K.L. Montgomery and I can't wait to read more of her books. Her story's are always fast reading and this one is no different. K.L. lives in rural Delaware with her husband, three children and their pets. She has an undying love of Broadway musicals, beaches, the color teal, dark chocolate and I U basketball. After a career of being a librarian she now writes and takes care of her family. You will totally lose track of time with this story and I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. This story will leave you wanting more and I for one am hoping to see more of these characters in the future. I highly suggest this story as I know you will love this story as much as I did.
Trek is a father of two children, one of which is in her kindergarten class. He has lost his wife and just moved to the area trying to start over again. What will happen when he arranges for her to tutor his daughter? He feels a connection but does she? Will she help him heal? Will she teach him its okay to trust? He just needs a friend, will she be what he needs?
Annelise and Trek's relationship is one that grows throughout the story. You will love to see how they interact with each other. She is bond by vows and he is bond to a past. What will they do? When she is faced with decisions, will she make the right one? Will it matter what everyone else thinks? Will she honor her vows, family and faith and do what is right? Will she just learn to fly? The author has created a story with these characters that have quite a few twists and turns and many you won't see coming. She will have you sitting on the edge of your seat on minute and then asking how can someone be that nasty in the next. Find out what happens with these two as they work through struggles and find out if what they want is at the end!
This is my favorite story by K.L. Montgomery and I can't wait to read more of her books. Her story's are always fast reading and this one is no different. K.L. lives in rural Delaware with her husband, three children and their pets. She has an undying love of Broadway musicals, beaches, the color teal, dark chocolate and I U basketball. After a career of being a librarian she now writes and takes care of her family. You will totally lose track of time with this story and I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. This story will leave you wanting more and I for one am hoping to see more of these characters in the future. I highly suggest this story as I know you will love this story as much as I did.
March 12, 2017
I struggled with this one.
We are first introduced to Annelise and her husband Aaron a year after their wedding. Annelise had overheard a conversation that her then fiancé was having with his friends. It was a very disheartening comment that was made that any woman would have confronted their future husband about.
And this is where I felt that Annelise was weak, she let the comment go and still went forward with the wedding.
A year later, Annelise is wondering if she made a mistake. Indiscretions are made by Aaron which opens the door for more things to take place.
I found the Annelise was more like a pawn then a wife. I wanted to just yell at her to wake up. The synopsis sounded really interesting, but alas, I was left underwhelmed by the story as a whole.
We are first introduced to Annelise and her husband Aaron a year after their wedding. Annelise had overheard a conversation that her then fiancé was having with his friends. It was a very disheartening comment that was made that any woman would have confronted their future husband about.
And this is where I felt that Annelise was weak, she let the comment go and still went forward with the wedding.
A year later, Annelise is wondering if she made a mistake. Indiscretions are made by Aaron which opens the door for more things to take place.
I found the Annelise was more like a pawn then a wife. I wanted to just yell at her to wake up. The synopsis sounded really interesting, but alas, I was left underwhelmed by the story as a whole.
February 19, 2017
Another excellent book Ms Montgomery. She has really hit her stride with this work. It is rare to find as real and flawed characters as she has written here. Annalise starts as a meek and downtrodden woman, trying to make things work in her flawed marriage. Her metamorphosis is realistic, methodical and powerful. Even her husband Aaron, while detestable, is a real and genuine character that exists in the real world and not just in fiction. The over-arching story is one of realistic, heartbreak, betrayal, and growth told in a nuanced and poignant manner. I look forward to more like this from Ms Montgomery.
February 7, 2017
I have read the entire backlist from this author, and have to say that with Given to Fly, she has really found her stride. This book was excellent. Annalise was a very relatable protagonist with a husband who not only didn't pay her attention in the ways she needed as a spouse and a woman, but flat out belittled her for her external looks. It made me so angry that I wanted to reach through the pages and smack some sense into him! Annalise is a teacher and through her job meets a widowed dad, Trek. They bond over her tutoring his daughter, and she soon finds that the things she should be able to share with her idiot of a husband, she is sharing with Trek - the question is will that also mean sharing things in a physical sense?
I caution you that you'll want to have time carved out for this novel, because you will want to read it in a single sitting. Yes, it is that engrossing. Be prepared to cry, laugh, and have the urge to yell. It's not often that a book can bring about all of those emotions in such a strong way, but Given to Fly definitely succeeds.
I caution you that you'll want to have time carved out for this novel, because you will want to read it in a single sitting. Yes, it is that engrossing. Be prepared to cry, laugh, and have the urge to yell. It's not often that a book can bring about all of those emotions in such a strong way, but Given to Fly definitely succeeds.
April 8, 2018
I've known about this book for a long time, but was somewhat wary of reading it based on the first line of the blurb, which says, "Can you break your vow if it's the only way to save yourself?" As someone who cherishes my religious beliefs and who also views marriage as a beautiful thing that's always worth fighting for, I feared this book would be an attack on all the things I hold dear. Not that I don't respect an author's right to tell a story from her own point of view, even if it differs from mine. I just knew that if I read it, I would then feel obligated to review it, and I try very hard to only read indie books if I can give them a good rating.
I've never been of the camp that views religion as a man-made institution designed for the control of the masses. That's not been my personal experience with the whole church thing. For me, church is a place where I can connect with fellow believers who support me on my walk of faith. And religion itself? Look, I won't claim I know with absolute certainty that the teachings of my church are one hundred percent true, but even if the theology passed down by this religion or that religion turns out to be false, still I don't see the whole thing as one big pack of lies, but rather as a natural outcropping of man's search for the truth and the answers to life's big questions. And the reason there are so many different religions with so many different beliefs? Well, those big questions are hard to answer and we're only human. We can only understand so much.
Because my faith is so precious to me, it hurts a bit when people want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. I'm referring to the attitude that because some religious people are hypocritical or judgmental, even bigoted, then religion, by extension, must be all those things as well. As though God is to blame for the fact that some of his followers are scoundrels. As though there's something wrong with me because I choose to seek God within the walls of a church.
I was afraid that's what this book was going to be. I was afraid it was going to tell me I've been brainwashed by an evil institution that specializes in selling lies for the purpose of mind control.
That is not what this book is.
Rather than an attack on faith itself, Given to Fly is a critique of the hypocrisy often found in Christian social circles. The fact that hypocrisy is one of the biggest problems within the religious community is well-known, even by the members of that community. We all know the temptation to be more self-righteous than we are righteous. We all know the temptation to gossip about our fellow man. We all know at least one group of judgmental little church ladies who look down their noses at everyone else. This book calls out communities of faith for those behaviors, and I think that's a good thing. People need to be aware of the damage they often do in the name of God.
The book also seems to be something of a critique of the megachurch culture so prevalent in modern Christianity. Listen, I'm not going to criticize anyone's chosen form of worship. If people find God in a megachurch, good for them. However, that particular brand of faith has never been my preference, so the glimpses this book gives into that culture did not bother me. Whether they are accurate or not is not for me to say because, as I said, I don't attend a church like that.
So I'm giving this book a proud five stars for tackling some serious issues in what I felt was a very sensitive way. I can't say I agree with all the conclusions drawn at the end of the story, but following Annelise on her journey of self-discovery got me thinking about some of those big questions I mentioned earlier, and I appreciate a book that goes that deep into the philosophical and the theological.
I want to mention that I appreciate Annelise's reluctance to leave her husband when she finds out he's cheating. I know that's an area where some reviewers have taken issue, but I fully understand her point of view. You see, this is her marriage she's fighting for, and she entered into that marriage thinking it was her happily ever after. Thinking it would last forever. That's not an ideal she's going to let go of easily. You don't change your whole worldview and give up on your lifelong dreams overnight, even if letting go of those dreams are what you really need in order to be happy. And confronting her husband about it? Sure, that would have been the right thing to do, but it would also be the scary thing to do. I'm one of the most non-confrontational people in the world. I can't imagine having to go to my husband and tell him I caught him cheating. Heck, I break out into a cold sweat every time I have to call my parents and ask them if they can babysit our dogs when we go on vacation because I'm worried they won't want to do it. A cheating husband? Yeah...my first instinct would be to pretend nothing was happening, just like Annelise does. Though I did want to scream at her to stop trying to get pregnant with her husband's baby. I realize she thinks that's what it will take to save her marriage, and I guess I can understand the fact that, until you actually have kids, you don't realize that, rather than saving a marriage, they are more likely to put strain on that marriage. I've known so many people who seemed perfectly happy together until that bouncing baby came along, then a couple of years later suddenly they're separated. Raising kids is hard, and bringing one into an already damaged home is never a good idea. But how could Annelise know that? She wouldn't.
I would have liked to see a little clearer glimpse of Annelise's faith. By the end of this book, she makes a decision that goes against everything she's been taught her entire life. I don't think she would make the transition quite as easily as she seems to in this book. I've gone through more than one period of doubt in my own faith journey. Doubt in my fellow Christians. Doubt in the church. Even doubt in the existence of God himself. Going through those doubts is scary. You feel like the very ground on which you're standing is about to be pulled out from beneath you. I would have liked to see a little of that in Annelise's story. It would have made it feel more real to me.
I also felt the ending was a little too pat. Everything seems to come together perfectly in this beautiful package that's wrapped up all pretty and topped with a neat, red bow. Life doesn't work that way. Life is messy. There are loose ends that sometimes never get tied up. And after everything the characters in this book have been through, it seems that there would be some lingering wounds that will take a long time to heal.
Nevertheless, this is a great book that really got me thinking about what I believe and why.
I've never been of the camp that views religion as a man-made institution designed for the control of the masses. That's not been my personal experience with the whole church thing. For me, church is a place where I can connect with fellow believers who support me on my walk of faith. And religion itself? Look, I won't claim I know with absolute certainty that the teachings of my church are one hundred percent true, but even if the theology passed down by this religion or that religion turns out to be false, still I don't see the whole thing as one big pack of lies, but rather as a natural outcropping of man's search for the truth and the answers to life's big questions. And the reason there are so many different religions with so many different beliefs? Well, those big questions are hard to answer and we're only human. We can only understand so much.
Because my faith is so precious to me, it hurts a bit when people want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. I'm referring to the attitude that because some religious people are hypocritical or judgmental, even bigoted, then religion, by extension, must be all those things as well. As though God is to blame for the fact that some of his followers are scoundrels. As though there's something wrong with me because I choose to seek God within the walls of a church.
I was afraid that's what this book was going to be. I was afraid it was going to tell me I've been brainwashed by an evil institution that specializes in selling lies for the purpose of mind control.
That is not what this book is.
Rather than an attack on faith itself, Given to Fly is a critique of the hypocrisy often found in Christian social circles. The fact that hypocrisy is one of the biggest problems within the religious community is well-known, even by the members of that community. We all know the temptation to be more self-righteous than we are righteous. We all know the temptation to gossip about our fellow man. We all know at least one group of judgmental little church ladies who look down their noses at everyone else. This book calls out communities of faith for those behaviors, and I think that's a good thing. People need to be aware of the damage they often do in the name of God.
The book also seems to be something of a critique of the megachurch culture so prevalent in modern Christianity. Listen, I'm not going to criticize anyone's chosen form of worship. If people find God in a megachurch, good for them. However, that particular brand of faith has never been my preference, so the glimpses this book gives into that culture did not bother me. Whether they are accurate or not is not for me to say because, as I said, I don't attend a church like that.
So I'm giving this book a proud five stars for tackling some serious issues in what I felt was a very sensitive way. I can't say I agree with all the conclusions drawn at the end of the story, but following Annelise on her journey of self-discovery got me thinking about some of those big questions I mentioned earlier, and I appreciate a book that goes that deep into the philosophical and the theological.
I want to mention that I appreciate Annelise's reluctance to leave her husband when she finds out he's cheating. I know that's an area where some reviewers have taken issue, but I fully understand her point of view. You see, this is her marriage she's fighting for, and she entered into that marriage thinking it was her happily ever after. Thinking it would last forever. That's not an ideal she's going to let go of easily. You don't change your whole worldview and give up on your lifelong dreams overnight, even if letting go of those dreams are what you really need in order to be happy. And confronting her husband about it? Sure, that would have been the right thing to do, but it would also be the scary thing to do. I'm one of the most non-confrontational people in the world. I can't imagine having to go to my husband and tell him I caught him cheating. Heck, I break out into a cold sweat every time I have to call my parents and ask them if they can babysit our dogs when we go on vacation because I'm worried they won't want to do it. A cheating husband? Yeah...my first instinct would be to pretend nothing was happening, just like Annelise does. Though I did want to scream at her to stop trying to get pregnant with her husband's baby. I realize she thinks that's what it will take to save her marriage, and I guess I can understand the fact that, until you actually have kids, you don't realize that, rather than saving a marriage, they are more likely to put strain on that marriage. I've known so many people who seemed perfectly happy together until that bouncing baby came along, then a couple of years later suddenly they're separated. Raising kids is hard, and bringing one into an already damaged home is never a good idea. But how could Annelise know that? She wouldn't.
I would have liked to see a little clearer glimpse of Annelise's faith. By the end of this book, she makes a decision that goes against everything she's been taught her entire life. I don't think she would make the transition quite as easily as she seems to in this book. I've gone through more than one period of doubt in my own faith journey. Doubt in my fellow Christians. Doubt in the church. Even doubt in the existence of God himself. Going through those doubts is scary. You feel like the very ground on which you're standing is about to be pulled out from beneath you. I would have liked to see a little of that in Annelise's story. It would have made it feel more real to me.
I also felt the ending was a little too pat. Everything seems to come together perfectly in this beautiful package that's wrapped up all pretty and topped with a neat, red bow. Life doesn't work that way. Life is messy. There are loose ends that sometimes never get tied up. And after everything the characters in this book have been through, it seems that there would be some lingering wounds that will take a long time to heal.
Nevertheless, this is a great book that really got me thinking about what I believe and why.
March 15, 2017
Given to Fly
By: K.L. Montgomery
5 out of 5 stars
The story Given to Fly by K.L. Montgomery is a contemporary romance book. This is the story of Annelise Lowe. She is a pre-school teacher who has always done what is expected of her. Getting married and then having children are top priorities. She is married however having children turns out to be a bit more of an issue. Between her weight and infertility, the dreams that have been thrust upon her seem like they will never come to be. Annelise is a character that I can relate to. From a young age, she has been told what is expected of her and it is just assumed that is what she wants and what will happen. I believe that this is true with all families however Annelise’s situation is on the extreme side. She is constantly berated and put down by not only her siblings but her parents as well. This makes family get-togethers and holidays very rough for her. That her marriage is having problems as well doesn’t help the situation. Her husband seems to only be concerned with his job, having children, and berating Annelise on her weight. Annelise believes she is to blame for the situation they are in and doesn’t have the confidence to stand up for herself. Then she meets Trek Blue.
Trek Blue is a single father who is raising two children after losing his wife to cancer. He has just moved to the area to get a fresh start and hasn’t met a lot of people outside of his work. His daughter, Bailey, is in Annelise’s preschool class and from the very beginning, Bailey seems to form an attachment to Annelise and this leads to a friendship forming between Annelise and Trek. Trek is a man that thinks things through, so when Annelise begins to confide in him, he tries to give the best advice that he can. He loves his children dearly and always puts their welfare first.
This is a beautiful story. It shows how some, whether it be friends or family, impose their will upon others and the ugly results that can happen. It is also about a woman who finds herself and starts to realize that what she wants and that her happiness is important. Does she find the strength to fly away? This is a book that you can get lost in for the afternoon. Once you start you will not want to stop reading. This is the first book I have read by the author and find her writing style smooth and the characters that she creates are ones that you can relate to. You will not be disappointed with this book.
By: K.L. Montgomery
5 out of 5 stars
The story Given to Fly by K.L. Montgomery is a contemporary romance book. This is the story of Annelise Lowe. She is a pre-school teacher who has always done what is expected of her. Getting married and then having children are top priorities. She is married however having children turns out to be a bit more of an issue. Between her weight and infertility, the dreams that have been thrust upon her seem like they will never come to be. Annelise is a character that I can relate to. From a young age, she has been told what is expected of her and it is just assumed that is what she wants and what will happen. I believe that this is true with all families however Annelise’s situation is on the extreme side. She is constantly berated and put down by not only her siblings but her parents as well. This makes family get-togethers and holidays very rough for her. That her marriage is having problems as well doesn’t help the situation. Her husband seems to only be concerned with his job, having children, and berating Annelise on her weight. Annelise believes she is to blame for the situation they are in and doesn’t have the confidence to stand up for herself. Then she meets Trek Blue.
Trek Blue is a single father who is raising two children after losing his wife to cancer. He has just moved to the area to get a fresh start and hasn’t met a lot of people outside of his work. His daughter, Bailey, is in Annelise’s preschool class and from the very beginning, Bailey seems to form an attachment to Annelise and this leads to a friendship forming between Annelise and Trek. Trek is a man that thinks things through, so when Annelise begins to confide in him, he tries to give the best advice that he can. He loves his children dearly and always puts their welfare first.
This is a beautiful story. It shows how some, whether it be friends or family, impose their will upon others and the ugly results that can happen. It is also about a woman who finds herself and starts to realize that what she wants and that her happiness is important. Does she find the strength to fly away? This is a book that you can get lost in for the afternoon. Once you start you will not want to stop reading. This is the first book I have read by the author and find her writing style smooth and the characters that she creates are ones that you can relate to. You will not be disappointed with this book.
February 21, 2018
This was the first book that i’ve read of K.L. Montgomery and I wasn’t disappointed. This book followed Annalise a sweet preschool teacher who wanted nothing more than to have a baby and make her husband and family happy. Even if it meant that she isn’t true to herself. Her husband was a total douche and she deserved so much more. Now Trek, he was good for her both as a friend and as a lover. He challenged her and forced her not to settle and do things for her and not her family. I felt that this book was a good clean story and would recommend it to others.
The only reason that I didn’t give this book 5 stars was because I didn’t feel there was much drama when there was plenty of opportunity for it. Annalise avoided conflict as much as possible but, there were points where I wish she would have told Aaron off, or that shitty sister-in-law Wynne. When she learned the true reason for Aaron marrying her, I was expecting her to be so upset that she confronted him and finally told him where to stick it. There were a few other areas where I could see things getting heated but that sweet ole� Annalise just kept it all together.
Outside of my thoughts of not much drama, I felt this was a great book to read and I will certainly read more by this author.
The only reason that I didn’t give this book 5 stars was because I didn’t feel there was much drama when there was plenty of opportunity for it. Annalise avoided conflict as much as possible but, there were points where I wish she would have told Aaron off, or that shitty sister-in-law Wynne. When she learned the true reason for Aaron marrying her, I was expecting her to be so upset that she confronted him and finally told him where to stick it. There were a few other areas where I could see things getting heated but that sweet ole� Annalise just kept it all together.
Outside of my thoughts of not much drama, I felt this was a great book to read and I will certainly read more by this author.
March 16, 2017
More than a 5 star read
This was my first book by this author. It didn't take long before the story captured my heart and wouldn't let go. All my emotions were on high alert, this was a very emotional story for me. I truly fell in love with Annelise and Trek, I found myself routing for them to get their happily ever after. They were both broken in some way, but together they were able to save each other. They both had a heart of gold. What I took away from this book is that you must be true to yourself first and foremost. I highly recommend that you read this story, I can promise you that you won't be disappointed. I wish I could have given it more than five stars.
This was my first book by this author. It didn't take long before the story captured my heart and wouldn't let go. All my emotions were on high alert, this was a very emotional story for me. I truly fell in love with Annelise and Trek, I found myself routing for them to get their happily ever after. They were both broken in some way, but together they were able to save each other. They both had a heart of gold. What I took away from this book is that you must be true to yourself first and foremost. I highly recommend that you read this story, I can promise you that you won't be disappointed. I wish I could have given it more than five stars.
June 9, 2018
Loved, loved, LOVED This book!
Being a kindred "fat girl" who has been blessed to be happily married for 45 years to a wonderful man who loves me no matter what the scale says made this book ring so true to me. One shouldn't have to spend their life trying to live to other people's ideas of what you should weigh or do with your life. It's your life to live to the fullest, finding happiness wherever you can. Bravo to Annelise for following her heart!
Being a kindred "fat girl" who has been blessed to be happily married for 45 years to a wonderful man who loves me no matter what the scale says made this book ring so true to me. One shouldn't have to spend their life trying to live to other people's ideas of what you should weigh or do with your life. It's your life to live to the fullest, finding happiness wherever you can. Bravo to Annelise for following her heart!
February 17, 2018
Given to Fly
A woman who married the wrong man finds out he has been cheating on her the whole time. But because she is overweight she figures it is his fault. Along the way she meets a widower with a small family and things change. But will it be enough for her to find and keep the love she deserves?
A woman who married the wrong man finds out he has been cheating on her the whole time. But because she is overweight she figures it is his fault. Along the way she meets a widower with a small family and things change. But will it be enough for her to find and keep the love she deserves?
July 10, 2019
Gotta read
This book has all the feels. You laugh,cry, and generally feel like you are right there with the characters cheering them on and feeling their heartbreak. It was the perfect amount of sexy, sweet, faith based, soul crushing, angsty, loving, etc that everyone needs in a book.
This book has all the feels. You laugh,cry, and generally feel like you are right there with the characters cheering them on and feeling their heartbreak. It was the perfect amount of sexy, sweet, faith based, soul crushing, angsty, loving, etc that everyone needs in a book.
September 1, 2022
I very much enjoyed the authors style. She made the characters relatable and put them in human situations. The insertion of humor made it more enjoyable. I felt for the main character as she learned the truth behind her situations, but once she released herself from obligations that were imposed by others, she was abld to have a happy future.
November 12, 2017
Amazing read
Wow a young teacher gets married to her boyfriend but he starts treating her not good and that’s when she meets her students dad. This book is a very eye opener! Trek made anelese feel beautiful when her husband did not! Loved this book!
Wow a young teacher gets married to her boyfriend but he starts treating her not good and that’s when she meets her students dad. This book is a very eye opener! Trek made anelese feel beautiful when her husband did not! Loved this book!
February 18, 2018
A beautiful portrayal of real life.
K. L. Montgomery is a wonderful real-to-life writer. I couldn't put it down. From beginning to end I had a heart for the main character. She wasn't beautiful, super rich or exceptionally smart. She was just real.
K. L. Montgomery is a wonderful real-to-life writer. I couldn't put it down. From beginning to end I had a heart for the main character. She wasn't beautiful, super rich or exceptionally smart. She was just real.
February 23, 2018
Not the typical romance novel
This story flows more like real life than any other I've read. It's difficult to fight the beliefs that have been ingrained in ourselves even when they are hurting us. Highly recommend this book.
This story flows more like real life than any other I've read. It's difficult to fight the beliefs that have been ingrained in ourselves even when they are hurting us. Highly recommend this book.
January 14, 2020
Fantastic book
This is a really fantastic modern day romance. It took me through all ranges of emotions. Love, hate, sadness, happiness, anger and heartwarming tenderness. Great book.
This is a really fantastic modern day romance. It took me through all ranges of emotions. Love, hate, sadness, happiness, anger and heartwarming tenderness. Great book.
April 23, 2020
I thought that this was a good read and written well. I could feel some of her emotions in dealing with Aaron. My heart ached for her as I have been through similar things in the past. She should have stood up to him and her family in the beginning. I'm glad Trek helped her see her true worth.
August 11, 2017
Awesome book
Wonderfully written, you feel like you're a part of the story. Thoroughly enjoyed from start to the very end. Awesome
Wonderfully written, you feel like you're a part of the story. Thoroughly enjoyed from start to the very end. Awesome
February 19, 2018
Excellent
A very poignant and thought provoking book of love, romance and real life. Enjoyed every moment that it took to read it.
A very poignant and thought provoking book of love, romance and real life. Enjoyed every moment that it took to read it.
February 26, 2018
Very pleasant read.
March 2, 2018
An excellent read. Annie was an interesting, complex character who does a lot of growing. Reading the book was quite a ride!
April 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book!
April 15, 2018
Liked this book more than expected. The only think I didn't like, it left too many things unfinished. What happened to Aaron, Mr. Burke? Over all I enjoyed the book.
May 1, 2018
Good story
Believable characters and storylines. Life can be a challenge, especially when you live for others. Live for yourself...and your happiness, you will be blessed 10 fold.
Believable characters and storylines. Life can be a challenge, especially when you live for others. Live for yourself...and your happiness, you will be blessed 10 fold.
October 28, 2018
Couldn't put it down
This book kept me wanting to read. The story line was believable and it flowed nicely. If you like Jody Picoult you will like K. L. Montgomery
This book kept me wanting to read. The story line was believable and it flowed nicely. If you like Jody Picoult you will like K. L. Montgomery
March 11, 2017
This book wow. If you've ever had a crossroads in your life, wondered how life got so complicated or realized this wasn't exactly how you envisioned things going, you must read this book. Life doesn't give Annalise what she expected, or does it? I'm a firm believer in the whole "everything happens for a reason" idea and this book spoke to me on that level. Sometimes we have to have things go the wrong way, have to make those mistakes in order for our true happiness to happen. One of my favorite quotes from this book is: can you break your vow if it means saving yourself? I believe in marriage and vows, but this question is so powerful in this book. At what point do we do what is right for us and our happiness? Love this book!
March 15, 2017
“You’ve been given to fly my love. You just need to believe you can.�
My first initial thoughts on this book were extremely conflicted!! I wanted to hug, comfort, and smack the crap out of the main character Annalise, or Annie, all at the same time. From the moment she hears her fiancé speak about their future together, pre-wedding, she questions everything! “I know she’s fat but she’s a good person. And she’s a he**uva cook. I mean d***! Did you try this dip?� This comes from her fiancé Aaron! Her reaction is not expected. She has been raised to be the perfect woman. Get married, have children, serve her husband and the lord. “There is a natural order to things, which God ordained. First dating. Next marriage. Then sex. Finally, kids. Then still marriage. Forever. In that order.� Her mother engraves this into her mind as it is ‘just as much gospel in their family as the actual gospel.� This fuels her decision to overlook the comment and marry Aaron anyways. So a year later and the book follows just what happens next. Not even one year could this man wait before tearing her down more and more. PCOS is causing havoc on their relationship because she can’t seem to get pregnant. After her doctor suggests she lose weight and eat better, she feels like the emotional abuse from him is warranted because he is just trying to help. Life falls into an easy routine for the couple regardless. He is a state trooper and she is a preschool teacher. It is through her teaching position that she meets Dr. Trek Blue. He is a widowed father of a little girl in her morning class named Bailey. Annie feels for the man who has been handed such a raw deal in life, yet chooses to keep his children first and move on the best he can from the devastating loss. “I have found my thoughts never stray very far from Trek. How can his family be inseparably scarred by unthinkable tragedy and yet somehow seem stronger and more devoted to each other than mine?� He quickly becomes a support system and friend for him and his little family, Bailey, Barret, and his mother Elennii. She decides to tutor Bailey in an attempt to help her adjust to the death of her mother. It is after all the Christian thing to do to help out. Along the way there is more and more we find out about Aaron, her husband and goodness she keeps pushing through. This woman is one heck a strong woman because I would not have put up with it like she did for sure. She is also coping because she is terrified of what her staunchly religious parents would think of her if she were to end up getting a divorce. Little does she know that they have meddled there more than even just using their religious beliefs. “My family can’t find out. I’m already a failure for not getting pregnant by now. And if they find out that he is cheating on me, then that will be my fault too.� I enjoyed that we also got to follow the coming of age of her sister Charity as well in the book. I feel it really helped Annie realize that she could be strong in the end after watching what she does with her dire situation. Eventually with the help of the handsome Trek she sees that she is worth so much more that the value she places on herself. “I finally realize this person I’ve been trying to love and trying to make love me is not on my team, and he never has been. It doesn’t feel love for me. He may feel obligation and pity. But nothing more.� She questions everything she was taught as a child. “Can you break your vow if it means saving yourself?� I was cheering for her in the end and really enjoyed the new spin on the situations that are brought up in the story line. One of my favorite lines in the book comes from Trek’s mother, Elennii. “You’ve been given to fly my love. You just need to believe you can.� How very true for so many women.
My first initial thoughts on this book were extremely conflicted!! I wanted to hug, comfort, and smack the crap out of the main character Annalise, or Annie, all at the same time. From the moment she hears her fiancé speak about their future together, pre-wedding, she questions everything! “I know she’s fat but she’s a good person. And she’s a he**uva cook. I mean d***! Did you try this dip?� This comes from her fiancé Aaron! Her reaction is not expected. She has been raised to be the perfect woman. Get married, have children, serve her husband and the lord. “There is a natural order to things, which God ordained. First dating. Next marriage. Then sex. Finally, kids. Then still marriage. Forever. In that order.� Her mother engraves this into her mind as it is ‘just as much gospel in their family as the actual gospel.� This fuels her decision to overlook the comment and marry Aaron anyways. So a year later and the book follows just what happens next. Not even one year could this man wait before tearing her down more and more. PCOS is causing havoc on their relationship because she can’t seem to get pregnant. After her doctor suggests she lose weight and eat better, she feels like the emotional abuse from him is warranted because he is just trying to help. Life falls into an easy routine for the couple regardless. He is a state trooper and she is a preschool teacher. It is through her teaching position that she meets Dr. Trek Blue. He is a widowed father of a little girl in her morning class named Bailey. Annie feels for the man who has been handed such a raw deal in life, yet chooses to keep his children first and move on the best he can from the devastating loss. “I have found my thoughts never stray very far from Trek. How can his family be inseparably scarred by unthinkable tragedy and yet somehow seem stronger and more devoted to each other than mine?� He quickly becomes a support system and friend for him and his little family, Bailey, Barret, and his mother Elennii. She decides to tutor Bailey in an attempt to help her adjust to the death of her mother. It is after all the Christian thing to do to help out. Along the way there is more and more we find out about Aaron, her husband and goodness she keeps pushing through. This woman is one heck a strong woman because I would not have put up with it like she did for sure. She is also coping because she is terrified of what her staunchly religious parents would think of her if she were to end up getting a divorce. Little does she know that they have meddled there more than even just using their religious beliefs. “My family can’t find out. I’m already a failure for not getting pregnant by now. And if they find out that he is cheating on me, then that will be my fault too.� I enjoyed that we also got to follow the coming of age of her sister Charity as well in the book. I feel it really helped Annie realize that she could be strong in the end after watching what she does with her dire situation. Eventually with the help of the handsome Trek she sees that she is worth so much more that the value she places on herself. “I finally realize this person I’ve been trying to love and trying to make love me is not on my team, and he never has been. It doesn’t feel love for me. He may feel obligation and pity. But nothing more.� She questions everything she was taught as a child. “Can you break your vow if it means saving yourself?� I was cheering for her in the end and really enjoyed the new spin on the situations that are brought up in the story line. One of my favorite lines in the book comes from Trek’s mother, Elennii. “You’ve been given to fly my love. You just need to believe you can.� How very true for so many women.
February 19, 2018
I love a book that challenges me to think about what I believe and why. And wow, I did a lot of thinkin� during this book! (and it's taken me five days to write this review...)
I originally had about a three page review written. It was a little ranty, but also helped me articulate my thoughts about this book - the story, the characters, how things went down between the heroine and the “hero� (I’ll get to that in a bit), but then decided against publishing it all. But I think writing it all out was rather cathartic for me, because this book challenged some beliefs I hold firmly, and writing down my thoughts helped me organize the many thoughts I had swirling around in my head�
A brief synopsis (because the reason I even started to write reviews in the first place was so I could remember which books I had read): Annelise has married a man who, just one week before their wedding, told a friend “Yeah, I know she’s fat, but she’s a good person and a really great cook.� Despite overhearing that remark, she decides to marry him anyway - because of a lot of reasons that may or may not make sense to the reader but I could totally understand - and does her best to be a good wife to her husband. He’s still an ass, anyway (that he’s a state trooper and deals with a lot of stressful things almost helps the reader understand why he may be the way he is, but it certainly doesn’t excuse his behavior). When fertility issues put an even further strain on their young marriage, things fall even further apart.
There were so many things going on in this book. In Annelise’s life. The writing - in Annelise’s voice - is equal parts entertaining and sad. She really is a good person, who has unfortunately married an asshat. As a reader I felt equally sympathetic for her situation, but also frustrated that she didn’t have the self esteem necessary to have prevented herself from getting into the situation she was in. But once you meet her family and learn what her frame of mind is, you can understand a bit of what her thoughts and feelings are.
Now, why did I put hero in quotes? Trek is the one character who caused me the most uncertain feelings in this book. I liked that he was the one person in Annelise’s life that judged her on who she was as a person. I liked that he encouraged her not to settle for having a life that’s less than what she deserved. What I didn’t like is that he went after her when she was still a married woman. Doesn’t matter to me that her husband was a jerk and treated her poorly. Doesn’t matter that her husband cheated on her first. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and I draw a line at saying it’s okay for Trek and Annelise to start something when she’s still married to another man. I understand why they both developed feelings for each other, but it’s not okay to act on them until the marriage has been ended - if not legally, then at least in agreement by both parties. And because of that, I had a hard time feeling all that happy about Trek and Annelise being together.
At its core, this is Annelise’s story of learning to love herself enough so she can be happy with the life she’s living. It’s equal parts heartbreaking, when you read how she feels dealing with a family that places more importance on religion (and what others think) than relationships, but then also hopeful, when you watch her learn to fly. The lesson of this story is that you have to live your life for yourself. If you try to live by a set of rules and standards that are held by others, you’re never going to be happy.
This was an exceptionally well written book. And while I may not have loved how the story played out with the heroine and her hero, I loved reading every page of it.
I originally had about a three page review written. It was a little ranty, but also helped me articulate my thoughts about this book - the story, the characters, how things went down between the heroine and the “hero� (I’ll get to that in a bit), but then decided against publishing it all. But I think writing it all out was rather cathartic for me, because this book challenged some beliefs I hold firmly, and writing down my thoughts helped me organize the many thoughts I had swirling around in my head�
A brief synopsis (because the reason I even started to write reviews in the first place was so I could remember which books I had read): Annelise has married a man who, just one week before their wedding, told a friend “Yeah, I know she’s fat, but she’s a good person and a really great cook.� Despite overhearing that remark, she decides to marry him anyway - because of a lot of reasons that may or may not make sense to the reader but I could totally understand - and does her best to be a good wife to her husband. He’s still an ass, anyway (that he’s a state trooper and deals with a lot of stressful things almost helps the reader understand why he may be the way he is, but it certainly doesn’t excuse his behavior). When fertility issues put an even further strain on their young marriage, things fall even further apart.
There were so many things going on in this book. In Annelise’s life. The writing - in Annelise’s voice - is equal parts entertaining and sad. She really is a good person, who has unfortunately married an asshat. As a reader I felt equally sympathetic for her situation, but also frustrated that she didn’t have the self esteem necessary to have prevented herself from getting into the situation she was in. But once you meet her family and learn what her frame of mind is, you can understand a bit of what her thoughts and feelings are.
Now, why did I put hero in quotes? Trek is the one character who caused me the most uncertain feelings in this book. I liked that he was the one person in Annelise’s life that judged her on who she was as a person. I liked that he encouraged her not to settle for having a life that’s less than what she deserved. What I didn’t like is that he went after her when she was still a married woman. Doesn’t matter to me that her husband was a jerk and treated her poorly. Doesn’t matter that her husband cheated on her first. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and I draw a line at saying it’s okay for Trek and Annelise to start something when she’s still married to another man. I understand why they both developed feelings for each other, but it’s not okay to act on them until the marriage has been ended - if not legally, then at least in agreement by both parties. And because of that, I had a hard time feeling all that happy about Trek and Annelise being together.
At its core, this is Annelise’s story of learning to love herself enough so she can be happy with the life she’s living. It’s equal parts heartbreaking, when you read how she feels dealing with a family that places more importance on religion (and what others think) than relationships, but then also hopeful, when you watch her learn to fly. The lesson of this story is that you have to live your life for yourself. If you try to live by a set of rules and standards that are held by others, you’re never going to be happy.
This was an exceptionally well written book. And while I may not have loved how the story played out with the heroine and her hero, I loved reading every page of it.
April 1, 2017
This book is the second I have read by this author and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The book follows the life and tribulations of Annalise a woman who is insecure, who is married to a cop and has a family who believe in the church completely. The story picks up with Annalise and Aaron nearly a year after they got married and are having trouble conceiving a baby, poor Anna is having pressure from all sides, her family and even Aaron thinks they should have a baby by now. So Anna concedes and goes to a fertility clinic where she is told she has PCOS and that the excess weight she is carrying maybe the cause of her not being able to have a regular cycle. Anna is mortified that she could be the cause of the problem, although she has always been on the large side she decides to go on a diet and try and get some of the weight.
Although her job as a preschool teacher reminds her everyday of what she wants more than everything but she enjoys it and believes she was born to do this. One day a new student arrives, Bailey is clinging to her father when they enter the room and Anna decides to go to her and coax her into the room, where Bailey then moves from her father and clings to Anna all through the lesson. As the weeks go on Anna can see that Bailey is a gifted student and organising a parent teacher conference with her father Trek, Annalise hears the story behind the Blue Family tragedy and agrees to tutor her two days a week.
Although Anna is happy at work her home life is not going well, she discovers that her husband is having an affair and Anna believes it’s her fault that she can’t give him a child. So she decides to instigate Operation save her marriage.
So as she is going through her life she gets closer to Trek and his family through tutoring Bailey and Trek becomes a close friend who Anna can air her frustrations. Until one day Trek asks Anna if she would like to go to South America with him and another colleague on a field trip from the University. Trek explains that the teacher who had expertise in pre-school curriculum who was going to help has pulled out and that she would be great fill in. So she goes home and asks Aaron if he minded if she went and he agrees it would be good for her, but during the weeks leading up to the trip Aaron becomes upset that Anna wants to put the baby plans on hold and Aaron then becomes viscous and says some hurtful things to Anna, while Anna announces that she knows he is having an affair, Aaron does not deny the fact and walks out of the house. The atmosphere is thick as Anna departs for the trip and does not know what she will do when she returns.
While they are away things happen between her and Trek and will Annalise have her happily ever after.
This book opens up a lot of topics from bereavement, PCOS and teenage pregnancy although it follows Annalise and her problems you feel like you have known someone who has had those same thoughts and battles. Although at times I did shout at the e-reader at some of the choices she made the book was a great standalone story. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
The book follows the life and tribulations of Annalise a woman who is insecure, who is married to a cop and has a family who believe in the church completely. The story picks up with Annalise and Aaron nearly a year after they got married and are having trouble conceiving a baby, poor Anna is having pressure from all sides, her family and even Aaron thinks they should have a baby by now. So Anna concedes and goes to a fertility clinic where she is told she has PCOS and that the excess weight she is carrying maybe the cause of her not being able to have a regular cycle. Anna is mortified that she could be the cause of the problem, although she has always been on the large side she decides to go on a diet and try and get some of the weight.
Although her job as a preschool teacher reminds her everyday of what she wants more than everything but she enjoys it and believes she was born to do this. One day a new student arrives, Bailey is clinging to her father when they enter the room and Anna decides to go to her and coax her into the room, where Bailey then moves from her father and clings to Anna all through the lesson. As the weeks go on Anna can see that Bailey is a gifted student and organising a parent teacher conference with her father Trek, Annalise hears the story behind the Blue Family tragedy and agrees to tutor her two days a week.
Although Anna is happy at work her home life is not going well, she discovers that her husband is having an affair and Anna believes it’s her fault that she can’t give him a child. So she decides to instigate Operation save her marriage.
So as she is going through her life she gets closer to Trek and his family through tutoring Bailey and Trek becomes a close friend who Anna can air her frustrations. Until one day Trek asks Anna if she would like to go to South America with him and another colleague on a field trip from the University. Trek explains that the teacher who had expertise in pre-school curriculum who was going to help has pulled out and that she would be great fill in. So she goes home and asks Aaron if he minded if she went and he agrees it would be good for her, but during the weeks leading up to the trip Aaron becomes upset that Anna wants to put the baby plans on hold and Aaron then becomes viscous and says some hurtful things to Anna, while Anna announces that she knows he is having an affair, Aaron does not deny the fact and walks out of the house. The atmosphere is thick as Anna departs for the trip and does not know what she will do when she returns.
While they are away things happen between her and Trek and will Annalise have her happily ever after.
This book opens up a lot of topics from bereavement, PCOS and teenage pregnancy although it follows Annalise and her problems you feel like you have known someone who has had those same thoughts and battles. Although at times I did shout at the e-reader at some of the choices she made the book was a great standalone story. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
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