Book Review - Scars Like Wings by Erin Stewart + Giveaway

Ava Lee has lost her parents, her home, her best friend, and even her face in a moment's notice. She doesn't need to look in a mirror to know how she looks like because she sees it in the eyes of everyone around her. After nearly a year after the fire,  her aunt and uncle decide that she should go back to high school. They want her to have a "normal" life being surrounded by other people instead of feeling isolated. 

However, Ava feels that life will never feel normal for her again. And she could forget about making friends because no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl. Things change when Ava meets another survivor named Piper. She begins to feel that she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone anymore. Piper likes to push Ava outside of her comfort zone and even introduces her to Asad, a boy who loves the theater just as much as she does. Slowly, Ava starts to feel connected to life again but, when Piper starts to struggle, will Ava be able to step up to the challenge?

 I thought this novel was a great and a emotional read. The characters were all well developed and likable. I love how each of the characters helped each other grow and become better versions of themselves.  The novel is an endearing read of someone facing psychological issues after a traumatizing event while finding herself again.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. **

 

About the Book

Title: SCARS LIKE WINGS

Author: Erin Stewart

Pub. Date: October 1, 2019

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 352

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

Relatable, heartbreaking, and real, this is a story of resilience--the perfect novel for readers of powerful contemporary fiction like Girl in Pieces and Every Last Word.

Before, I was a million things. Now I'm only one. The Burned Girl.

Ava Lee has lost everything there is to lose: Her parents. Her best friend. Her home. Even her face. She doesn't need a mirror to know what she looks like--she can see her reflection in the eyes of everyone around her.

A year after the fire that destroyed her world, her aunt and uncle have decided she should go back to high school. Be "normal" again. Whatever that is. Ava knows better. There is no normal for someone like her. And forget making friends--no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl, now or ever.

But when Ava meets a fellow survivor named Piper, she begins to feel like maybe she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone. Sarcastic and blunt, Piper isn't afraid to push Ava out of her comfort zone. Piper introduces Ava to Asad, a boy who loves theater just as much as she does, and slowly, Ava tries to create a life again. Yet Piper is fighting her own battle, and soon Ava must decide if she's going to fade back into her scars . . . or let the people by her side help her fly.

"A heartfelt and unflinching look at the reality of being a burn survivor and at the scars we all carry. This book is for everyone, burned or not, who has ever searched for a light in the darkness." --Stephanie Nielson, New York Times bestselling author of Heaven Is Here and a burn survivor

About Erin:

Erin Stewart is the author of SCARS LIKE WINGS, her debut novel. Erin is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and a BYU undergraduate who works as a freelance writer and editor, as well as a weekly columnist in Salt Lake City.

Erin lives in Utah with her husband and three children. She is represented by the amazing Brianne Johnson of Writers House.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of SCARS LIKE WINGS, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2992/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/1/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review

10/2/2019- BookHounds YA- Review

10/3/2019- Lifestyle of Me- Review

10/4/2019- Fictitious Fox- Review

Week Two:

10/7/2019-  Fire and Ice - Review

10/8/2019- Moonlight Rendezvous- Review

10/9/2019- Fictitiouswonderland- Review

10/10/2019- Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers- Review

10/11/2019- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

Week Three:

10/14/2019- Treestand Book Reviews- Review

10/15/2019- Smada's Book Smack- Review

10/16/2019- Riddle’s Reviews- Review

10/17/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review

10/18/2019- Book-Keeping- Review

Week Four:

10/21/2019- A Bookish Dream- Review

10/22/2019- Life Within The Pages- Review

10/23/2019- Portrait of a Book- Review

10/24/2019- The Pages In-Between- Review

10/25/2019- Paper Reader- Review

Week Five:

10/28/2019- Southern Girl Bookaholic- Review

10/29/2019- Do You Dog-ear?- Review

10/30/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt

10/31/2019- Two points of interest- Review

 

Ettang Modeling Co Take - Out Cup - Chlorella

While on search for a new mask to try, I came across this brand. It seemed interesting enough and got good reviews. The single use pack comes with powder and all you need to do is add water and stir. The cup has enough for  2- 3 uses and I learned the hard way, to separate out some powder in another container so you can use the rest for another time. If you use too much water, the mask will be too watery and if you use too little water, the mask will be very dry. Each cup has a special “star” ingredient and Chlorella is known for skin soothing properties. After removing the mask, most of the mask came out in one clean pull; my face was soft, smooth and looked radiant. I am definitely hooked and can’t wait to try the others.

Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream for Sensitive Skin

The dermatologist recommended cream is free from most common chemical irritants. The unscented (I wasn’t able to smell much of anything) goes on smoothly and was absorbed quickly. However, I found constantly re-applying lotion throughout the day. Perfect for people with sensitive skin, everyone else there is something better out there.

Tosowoong Pure Blueberry Mask Skin Whitening

Just like real blueberries, this mask is packed with good for you ingredients, such as vitamins A, C, E, niacinamide, and adenocine. The skin brightening mask fits well and was soaked with “blueberry” scented serum. Personally, I didn’t care for the scent but my skin was left smooth and soft to the touch. My dark spots looked less visible on the next day.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer Fair to Medium Skin Tones

Before Photo

After Photo

Before you ask, what is a brown skin person using a self-tanner, I wanted to see what the fuss about. Most people think having brown skin means you don’t get cellulite or it becomes less visible. I can sadly say, this is not the case. The tanning lotion didn’t make the cellulite less noticeable...er...I mean..what cellulite? The tanner promises a “natural - looking color that's streak-free, hassle-free and with our breakthrough patent-pending technology, now has no sunless tanner odor.” While the tanner wasn’t completely odorless, it just wasn’t as strong as many others. I didn’t notice any streaks mostly because the color gradually appears when you apply the lotion daily.  After applying, don’t be fooled by the white lotion, wash your hands otherwise you will end up with tell tale orange hands [trust me], but imparted a soft golden bronze color on my skin. As a side note, make sure to apply a thin layer and not to double up anywhere thinking you missed a spot otherwise you will get splotches. And try to go easy on the drier areas, like knees, ankles, elbows, and knuckles or it looks a bit weird. While I rarely burn, I don’t get a golden color [sadly]. But I must say, I don’t think that golden color is something found naturally in nature. The color started to fade by day 3 and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a “little color” should try it or as soon as we invent the technology, I will be more than happy to share my natural brown color :}

Eminence Organic Skin Care Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

The  rice based exfoliant is safe for all skin types and can be used daily. The exfoliant is packed with good for you ingredients such as strawberry extracts, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, vitamins, lactic acid, rice, chickpea flour, thermal mud, oats, Coenzyme Q10, and Alpha Lipoic Acid. The scrub promises to exfoliates and removes impurities to brighten skin and shrink pores. The powder scrub is very easy to use. I like how you can make the scrub dry or more liquidy by adding water. I usually like my scrubs a bit drier although, I do have sensitive skin and does make my skin a bit raw but I feel like I get a more thorough clean. My skin does feel a bit tight after using the scrub but when I followed up with lotion my skin felt soft, smooth and dewy.

Dial NutriSkin Dry Skin Replenishing Lotion

After running out of lotion and having a coupon for this lotion, I decided to buy it. The lotion promises to last 24 hours, packed with Vitamins C , E, and F , Omega 3, aloe and amino acids. The cocktail of “bio nutrient complex” promises protein building blocks, supports moisture balance and improve elasticity.  While the Aloe extracts hydrates and moisturizes. The non-greasy formula goes on easy and absorbs quickly. My skin was soft and smooth after using the lotion.  The lotion doesn’t last 24 hours but I noticed my skin doesn’t get as dry and scaly between uses.  I would definitely buy this again if it was on sale.                 

Pritte Organic Skin Therapy Moisturizing Body Lotion

The creamy body lotion is made with hand cut and filleted [does anyone else think about fish?] organic aloe vera and organic honey. The body lotion left my skin moisturized and glowy. It fully absorbed into my skin after couple minutes of application. The lotion has a soft honey citrus scent, non greasy and wasn’t very thick. The only thing I am a bit sad that the lotion is a bit expensive so I will probably buy this one in awhile as a treat.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector

Photo Source - Neutrogena

Dark circles are the tell-tale sign of the late night before or one too many sleep deprived nights. While I don’t have prominent dark circles and no one seems to notice them [or they are just being nice], I still notice them.  These color specific pens promise to brighten eyes, de-puff and provide SPF protection. The eye perfector is packed with antioxidants, vitamin E, soy and wild chamomile. When I bought mines in the drugstore, I had hard time picking a color since there was little window showing the actual color of the product. I ended up picking a shade to light for my skin tone. When I use the eye perfector on my eyes, it left a chalky residue and looks obvious that I used something to cover up my dark circles, as my eye area was three shades lighter. I resolved to use it during the night as I didn’t want to throw it away. My eyes did look smoother and the dark circles did diminish in appearance.  I also like the pen applicator because it made it easier to place the product in all the right places and the precision tip made it easy not to waste any product. When I finish this one, hopefully I pick the right color next time, so I can actually use it as the way it made too.