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Palm Trees and Blue Beads
By Mara Phoenix
Palm Trees is an absolute gem.
I’m not sure how to make this review sound unbiased, so I’ll be up front: I read this book before publication, before completion, before Sam’s story was fully formed.
The author and I met in a writing club in high school, and I watched as her characters and world sprang to life. At 16 years old, I was blown away by Mara’s writing. The depth of her characters, the tangible *realness* of Ventura California. I desperately followed along, reading each new installment eagerly.
I am turning 30 this year and I would say I am a fairly harsh critic of books and TV. With that said — re-reading Palm Trees proved to me that Mara is a rare talent. Her portrayal of amnesia, grief, trauma, found family and healing ripped my heart out and pieced it back together.
The story follows Sam, a high school drifter who finds herself in California with no memory of where – or who – she is. As she grapples with the past, she finds hope and healing in the present, with the kind-hearted community of Ventura. Sam’s journey is breathtaking, the ocean backdrop the perfect setting.
If you want a gentle but very real account of trauma, healing, and love, I highly recommend this book.
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Palm Trees and Blue Beads is available on Kindle Unlimited or to purchase here
The Midnight Review 