About the Book
Title: Like Moonlight at Low Tide
Author: Nicole Quigley
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: 2012
When high school junior Melissa Keiser returns to her hometown of Anna Maria Island, Florida, she has one goal: hide from the bullies who had convinced her she was the ugliest girl in school. But when she is caught sneaking into a neighbor’s pool at night, everything changes. Something is different now that Melissa is sixteen, and the guys and popular girls who once made her life miserable have taken notice. When Melissa gets the chance to escape life in a house ruled by her mom’s latest boyfriend, she must choose where her loyalties lie between a long-time crush, a new friend, and her surfer brother who makes it impossible to forget her roots. Just as Melissa seems to achieve everything she ever wanted, she loses a loved one to suicide. Melissa must not only grieve for her loss, she must find the truth about the three boys who loved her and discover that joy sometimes comes from the most unexpected place of all.
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My Perspective
Every now and then you find and read a book that is intense, takes a lot out of you, and maybe even reminds you of your childhood just a pinch. This is that book for me. It was full of emotion, it was raw, and yes it touched on topics that are controversial like suicide and bullying. It is hard for a Christian author to bring these topics to a story and not be criticized in some way shape or form, and it’s too bad, because these are real topics and sometimes we need to read about them.
Now, that being said, it was tough to read. And I don’t mean because of the author’s writing ability – Nicole Quigley did a good job in writing. It was tough because it was deep and emotional. I don’t know that I would share it with a thirteen year old, but maybe sixteen or seventeen year old. And have a conversation about what the book is about and what to do if they see it happening in real life. That’s what books are for – conversation starters!
But here’s something a little personal this book did take me back to my high school years. I knew exactly how Missy felt, her worries, her fears, and her desire to fit in. I knew what it meant to be made fun of and try to change to be different. I connected with her in a way I’ve never connected with a character before and it was scary and awesome and weird all at the same time. Teen struggles are real. And we don’t all have a friend like Josh to look out for us. By the way – I think Josh was my favorite character. He kind of reminded me of an angel brought to the story just to keep Missy safe. You’ll understand what I mean when you read it.
While this may not be an uplifting Christmas story, I think it is an important story to read. It’ll make you think. It’ll make you have a conversation with your kids. And it may just make you think about your childhood a little bit, for the good or the bad.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the Author
Nicole Quigley is the author of Like Moonlight at Low Tide, a winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers “Carol Award” and “Genesis Contest” for best young adult fiction. Nicole works in public relations and spent many years in Washington, D.C. She now lives on Florida’s Gulf Coast, where she grew up. Nicole holds a B.S. from Appalachian State University, where she majored in Communications/Public Relations and minored in English. Her favorite place in the world is Western North Carolina, and her favorite place to write is a late night coffee shop, wherever she can find one open.
Guest Post from Nicole Quigley
Three Things I Hear from “Like Moonlight at Low Tide” Readers
When I first wrote “Like Moonlight at Low Tide,” I thought my readers were going to get the same things out of it that I did. The book gets off to a start when Missy Keiser sneaks into her neighbor’s pool to go nightswimming. She thought no one was home until she sees the figure of an unknown guy standing in the dark, at the edge of the pool.
Missy was bullied when she was younger, but this story is about what happens after she is bullied. What happens if you got everything you ever wanted? Would it be enough? I think that when we really look at the reasons behind why we want things and why the things we want can become so big in our lives, especially in high school—we often find that there’s really a bigger question left for all of us.
Who is going to love me?
Since “Like Moonlight at Low Tide” debuted, I’ve been so honored to hear from readers who could relate to Missy’s story. One thing that has surprised are the things I hear about from readers time and again.
First, I always hear about the ending! I definitely wrestled with how to bring the book to a close. I won’t say more about it (no spoilers!), but I have to laugh because most readers tell me I was really close to hearing a lot more from them! Second, I always hear about a certain guy who becomes the male protagonist. Yes, girls, I have to admit that I loved writing him!
Lastly, I often hear the book was written “just for them.” That’s what touches me most of all. I wrote this story from the heart. It means so much to hear that it reached others, and often in ways I never predicted. I love that.
Once a reader picks up my story and brings her own experiences to it, it becomes something new. And it’s really special to connect with a reader on some of these heart questions that we all have in common. One reader who has really made an impact on me sent me a hand-made charm bracelet based on the book. She took Missy’s story, and she turned it into something entirely new. Her creativity is really special, and the bracelet is now one of my most treasured possessions
I love hearing from readers about what they liked (or even didn’t like) in Missy’s story. As it turns out, listening to readers is one of the very best parts of writing for them.
Blog Stops
Avid Reader Book Reviews, December 9
amandainpa, December 9
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 10
Multifarious, December 10
Rembrancy, December 11
allofakindmom, December 11
SusanLovesBooks, December 12
Reading is my Super Power, December 12
proud to be an autism mom, December 13
A Greater Yes, December 13
Texas Book-aholic, December 14
Power of Words, December 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 15
The Fizzy Pop Collection, December 16
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 16
Janices book reviews, December 17
Blogging With Carol, ecember 17
Carpe Diem, December 18
A Baker’s Perspective, December 19
Pause for Tales, December 20
Red Headed Book Lady, December 21
Bigreadersite, December 21
Pursuing Stacie, December 22
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Nicole is giving away a $50 Amazon Card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c402
Thank you for the information on Like Moonlight at Low Tide and your insightful review. I think I’d like to read this book. Not all reads need to be light and it’s good to touch emotions and touch on very difficult situations. Makes it more like life that way.
Agreed!
Thank you for the review of this book…I think I’m going to have to get this one! These issues, along with many others, need to be addressed. They are real, and don’t disappear because you are a Christian, in a Christian family, going to church. I appreciate those willing to write about the hard things and help people.
I feel the same way Hannah! We live in the real world, and need to read stories with real life stuff in them!
this sounds like a great book for a young adult, especially if they are looking to see how can things work out for the better with Jesus in their lives
Thank you for the giveaway and the review for this book. It sounds like a great book to read.
I am a new fan of Nicole Quigley. I am so glad I was introduced to her and her work.
Really enjoyed the description of the book. Sounds like a great read.
This story sounds like it is very thought-provoking.
This one sounds awesome!
Great review! Sounds like a must read!