Close Enough To Touch by Colleen Oakley
Published: March 7, 2017Publisher: Gallery BooksPages: 336Recevied: for honest review as part of blog tour via TLC Book ToursFind Online: Amazon | Books A Million | B&N | GoodreadsFrom the author of Before I Go comes an unconventional love story perfect for fans of the emotional novels of Jodi Picoult and Jojo Moyes.
One time a boy kissed me and I almost died...
And so begins the story of Jubilee Jenkins, a young woman with a rare and debilitating medical condition: she’s allergic to other humans. After a humiliating near-death experience in high school, Jubilee has become a recluse, living the past nine years in the confines of the small town New Jersey house her unaffectionate mother left to her when she ran off with a Long Island businessman. But now, her mother is dead, and without her financial support, Jubilee is forced to leave home and face the world—and the people in it—that she’s been hiding from.
One of those people is Eric Keegan, a man who just moved into town for work. With a daughter from his failed marriage who is no longer speaking to him, and a brilliant, if psychologically troubled, adopted son, Eric’s struggling to figure out how his life got so off-course, and how to be the dad—and man—he wants so desperately to be. Then, one day, he meets a mysterious woman named Jubilee, with a unique condition...
Close Enough to Touch is an evocative, poignant, and heartrending exploration of the power and possibilities of the human heart.
I don't even know where to start. This is the first book I'd give five stars to (I don't rate books on my blog, but I do on Goodreads). I enjoyed this book immensely. I loved Jubilee's character from the beginning and Aja as well. Eric, I was a little slower to warm up to, but he wormed his way into my heart.
From the start, I thought that this book would be interesting as it's dealing with the life of a woman who is allergic to human touch. I figured Jubilee would be reclusive, somewhat, considering her illness and just loved how she pushed herself to get back into the world to survive the changes happening in her life. No longer can she hide behind the safe walls of her home and not interact directly with people. She's standoffish and aloof, yet direct and at times harsh. I think that's part of why I enjoyed her character so much - I wanted to befriend her. I love that she got a job in a library as it suits her.
Now, Eric, try as he might, can't seem to catch a break. First, divorce. Then teenage daughter not talking to him. Now, adopted son hiding things from him and not being able to connect with him. So many curveballs. And then when he finally meets someone that interests him and seems to get his son to open up a bit, another gets tossed his way. It must be hard to start falling in love with someone you cannot even touch for fear of actually killing them. The thing I liked about Eric was his persistence. He never really gave up on anyone. He kept texting his daughter even when she didn't reply. He made effort with Aja in different ways to try and reach him. And he teaches Jubilee that baby steps can help you on your way to fulfilling your dreams.
Eric brings Jubilee out of her shell and Jubilee helps Eric to connect with his kids in different ways. I love how she connects with Aja and their random tidbits of info and that Aja warms up to her. And the element of Eric using books to reach his daughter was wonderful. Jubilee helps him with that too as she deciphers the different meanings to the books his daughter loved when he can't seem to figure it out. They just worked! I loved what they had in this story - no matter how fleeting it felt at times.
I love how it was the library that brought Jubilee, Eric and Aja together. How books bonded them. How just being at the library seemed to help them each work their way through some of the toughest issues. Much love for the library!
This is a book filled with hope. And did it ever deliver.
Now scroll down if you'd like the chance to win your very own copy!
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What an interesting sounding premise! I'm not quite sure how one could survive if they're allergic to human touch?? Like, how far does that go? Can you even go to the doctor?? I'm getting stressed out just thinking about this :P Maybe... gloves? BAH I'm at a loss lol
ReplyDeleteHi Kris. The main character wears gloves all the time when she finally leaves her house. She avoids direct contact with people as best she can. It's really quite interesting how she manages once she leaves her recluse life behind.
DeleteThis book sounds so good to me! I've had it on my TBR list for quite some time now but just haven't gotten to it yet. I have to say your review of it has got to be the best I have seen. Especially that last sentence, because I'm always down to read books filled with hope :)
ReplyDeleteYou just made my night. Thank you for such kind words about my review. I hope you get to read it... possibly win this giveaway. It's such a great story. I just loved Jubilee, Eric and Aja.
DeleteSounds great! I love the focus on hope and how they both sound like compelling characters. And her being allergic to human touch has all kinds of narrative possibities I'm sure! Thanks for putting this one on my radar. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that. I hope you entered the giveaway for a chance to win a copy.
DeleteGreat review! It sounds like eventually it is a very uplifting story! Love the references to the library. I'm curious to know how it ends now!
ReplyDeleteHi Angela! You should enter the contest, maybe you'll win the copy and you can find out how it ends! 😉
DeleteWow, what a concept being allergic to another human. I want so badly to read this book because I have so many questions going through my head. When did this condition start? Does she have a reaction if someone accidentally bumps into her at the store? Then you have Eric does he have the inner strength he needs to fix his relationship with his children? It all is so intriguing! Plus, your review is excellent.
ReplyDeleteAngela! I see you entered the contest, GOOD LUCK! I hope you'll read the book to get your answers. 😉 And thank you for your kind words about my review. 😄
DeleteOhh that's awesome that you loved it so much! YAY FOR 5 STAR READS. They honestly are the most best and precious things. <3
ReplyDeleteHi Cait! They sure are. It's rare for me to give anything 5 stats anymore. 🌟
DeleteI love the sound of this book, and the library setting makes me happy :) Thank you so much for being on the tour!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my top reads for 2017!
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