Live Out Loud (Toronto Collection)

I really like the Toronto series, and would recommend anyone to read it. I applaud Heather for keeping the story-lines fresh and different, while still tying them together. Out of all the books Heather has written and Ive read really a favorite but she is consistent with what I admire her for...variety in story-lines and still tying them together through locations and people. Having said that, Ill probably read it again! I really enjoy this authors talent in writing. Becky Welter

Amy has always been a big dreamer, not just her own dreams, but the dreams of her childhood friend who tragically died. But never in her wildest dreams did she think she would become a singing sensation, yet that is exactly what happens. Amy becomes the pop princess Misty Will. But the biggest question is.... Misty will what? Once again Heather Wardell gives us a winner. Wardell has a way of creating characters and situations to which her readers can relate wholeheartedly. I just love watching Amys character catapult to fame, and to watch her flounder when fame is a little too much for her to handle. I liked that this story has a modern feel to it. Typically, I dislike a lot of pop culture in literature, but in this story it just fits. This is a story that we can imagine happening in todays world of pop music. I could totally imagine a singer like Misty rocketing to fame thanks to youtube. And as a lover of social media, I really enjoy how it factors into Mistys situation. I was a little surprised at some of the more serious themes at work, dealing with abortion, teen death, and teen sexuality. I liked that this story had this meat to it, yet was still able to remain so positive. Well done.

I love Heather Wardells writing so I jumped at the chance to read her latest novel. I was expecting a character-driven story about a woman trying to balance her dreams, a career, and love and I was not disappointed. Amy has been writing songs for years, and sets a goal for herself to create a CD of her music. She is discovered singing in a local bar in Toronto, and a music career as a bubble gum pop princess soon develops. Amy has trouble finding the balance between writing songs that mean something and writing pop music. She also receives a surprising amount of push-back from her boyfriend Jason. She and Jason start to grow apart as a result of his jealousy over her sudden fame. Amy has to decide whats really important to her: her glamorous life as Misty Will, or starting the support center she and her late friend Giselle always dreamed of. Like Wardells other books, the process of reconciling dreams and the real world is the bulk of the book. I just love that about Wardells writing. I always feel like I can really identify with her characters, and Amy was no exception. Something kept me from really loving this book as much as Ive loved Wardells other books. I think it was that there wasnt quite as much chemistry between the two main characters. By chemistry, I mean a slow build from friends to more than friends. I like reading about a slow-developing relationship---which was the case here; however, something felt missing as far as the attraction went. I love that Wardells womens fiction is not laden with a bunch of bedroom scenes like so many other adult fiction novels. That gets old for me and it cheapens the story (in my opinion). Id rather read about love in action than read bedroom scenes. Overall, I really enjoyed Live Out Loud and would recommend it to fans of womens fiction.

When I first read Planning to Live, I didnt think that I would ever love a Heather-book as much or identify with a character more than Rhiannon. Live Out Loud completely blew me away from the first chapter. It is a beautifully written, eye opening tale of a woman (Amy) torn between living the life she wants and the life she thinks she should want. The truth is, sometimes we dont know how much we want something until its within our grasp and all pretenses are dropped. Misty Will learn to live her dreams, if she can forgive herself and let go of the past.

Once again, Heather Wardell did not disappoint me. I just loved this story. I love the way she inserts characters from other books into new books, even if the stories arent connected. Theyre all Toronto residents. I do the same thing. I loved Misty, especially because she didnt let her fame taint her values (too much). Imagine becoming a pop star overnight, having people screaming when they hear your name, and crying when they see you because they are so desperate to touch you. Then imagine how great it must feel to know that your songs reach out and touch young people in a good way. Well done. Although I have never been to Toronto, I am in love with the city--thanks to Heather Wardell. Carole McKee, author

This was a light and enjoyable reading. It kept my interest and was entertaining. It is a good read for a relaxing weekend.

Ive been reading a few of Wardells books for some light summer reading and this is my favorite so far. The main characters had depth and developed with the story. The storyline was tight and had something interesting going on most of the time. Mistys internal struggles were believable and made me care what happened to her. The ending was satisfying and was what the story was leading up to all along. There was a surprising amount of depth to this one and addressed some tough issues. Amy/Misty also has her own issues to work through and comes shining through with the help of good friends. It is a positive story of overcoming, of discovering and following your dreams.

Have you ever started a book and just couldnt wait to find out what was going to happen to a character? With Live Out Loud by Heather Wardell, I fell in love with Amy/Misty our main character from the beginning and from chapter to chapter I became even more intrigued as to where she was going to go next. From the people that she was surrounded with to those who came in and out of her life, they were unique but shaped this character into the one she became at the end. I always look to the extra characters because I enjoy seeing how they affect a character in both positive and negative ways. I am never a spoiler, but I will say that she ended up with a great guy, but the book didnt just end there. As some girlie books do, once the main character gets the guy, the reader is to find complete happiness in this solution. Wardell didnt end there. She made her characters go through a little more angst before they found complete satisfaction in who they were and what they wanted in life. Isnt that true for all of us? Sure when we get the guy we are happy, but no one is complete with just a relationship, you need more than that to be a whole person. So off my self-motivating rant - this book is worth the read. If you enjoy following a character through self-exploration and being a sideline cheerleader as she finds what is truly important to her.

as always I can live vicariously through a great book!

Just as Mistys songs were written to inspire and change lives for the better, so was this book. To some, Mistys character, though with flaws, may come across as too good to be true. I would probably have thought so myself, but I chose to look past that and focus instead on what I believe is the books real purpose. Theres a handful really: be yourself, learn from your mistakes, move on, pursue what you believe in especially if its something good, choose your friends, take time to stop and relax, etc. Its a great book for young people to draw inspiration from; not preachy at all, and very easy to read. A few months back, I did a marathon reading of Ms. Wardells books, going through the Toronto series in chronological order. I stopped and left three more books unread. Now Ive got two more left, and I will definitely read the next one right after I hit submit for this review.