Book Review: Bright Side by Kim Holden

Bright Side (Bright Side #1)

By Kim Holden

Release Date: July 4, 2014

Source: Amazon

Goodreads

Secrets. 
Everyone has one. 
Some are bigger than others. 
And when secrets are revealed, 
Some will heal you ... 
And some will end you. 

Kate Sedgwick’s life has been anything but typical. She’s endured hardship and tragedy, but throughout it all she remains happy and optimistic (there’s a reason her best friend Gus calls her Bright Side). Kate is strong-willed, funny, smart, and musically gifted. She’s also never believed in love. So when Kate leaves San Diego to attend college in the small town of Grant, Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with Keller Banks. 

They both feel it. 
But they each have a reason to fight it. 
They each have a secret. 

And when secrets are revealed, 
Some will heal you … 
And some will end you. 

There are so many books that you read in your life that really change the way you think about life and the people in your life. I very rarely read books that affect me in that way, but when I do, I know I'll never forget them. Bright Side was one of those books. 

Kate Sedgwick has gone through a lot in her life and it's taught her to always look on the bright side of things, hence the nickname her best friend has given her. Looking for another adventure, Kate leaves California for a small college in Minnesota where the last thing she expects to find is love. She's never believed love was something real for her, but her life changed the moment she met Keller Banks. But as they spend more time together, the harder it is for them to keep their secrets from each other, secrets that could change the entire course of their relationship forever.

From the beginning, I was so intrigued by Kate's character and how truly optimistic she was. Throughout the book, we got little hints and comments about her past and the things she's gone through, but we didn't really know the details until well into the book. I really loved how this book wasn't really a romance at all until over halfway through the book. We got to focus on Kate, her life in college, and the friendships she was forming while still supporting her best friend, Gus, back home. The relationships were so strong in this book and made me love Kate even more. 

Of course, if you've heard of this book before, you have probably heard how emotional it is. I'm here to confirm that yes, this book was EXTREMELY emotional. I was bawling my eyes out at the end and could not keep it together. Because my connection was so strong with Kate and all of her friends in this book, that ending was just so hard to deal with. I need Gus's book right now, which is already out, so that I can see how all of my favorite characters are doing!

Overall, Bright Side greatly exceeded my expectations and is unlike any book I've ever read. Kate is such a unique character and challenged the way I take the hard things in life and encouraged me to take a more optimistic look at things. I will never forget this book or Kate's story and I encourage you all to read this book and rethink the way you look at life as well.