Revew: The Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn

Synopsis provided by Goodreads:

Lisa was conservatively raised in a Catholic family in no-where middle America, where excitement is scarce and dreams are for sleeping. Little did she know, at age thirteen, she would suddenly find herself on a totally different path. Through an unlikely chance meeting of a fellow classmate, she's surprisingly mesmerized, almost consumed, to befriend a girl who is obviously from the other side of the tracks...the cool side. Lisa does whatever she has to just to be accepted into this small club of coolness. Little did she realize, she was signing up for a lot more than social status. The two best friends find themselves innocently taking their relationship to a foreign level neither had experienced or saw coming. A rollercoaster ride littered with choices and challenges Lisa never fathomed facing, especially in no-where middle America. She will find out what she is made of as she faces the consequences and struggles that come along with going against the grain. Throughout their six year relationship, you will witness a touching story of human nature at it's best...and at it's worst. Showing just how far the human spirit can be challenged and pushed to a point where your “fight or flight” instincts naturally kick in. Struggling just to survive in a world where you are not like everyone else, but at the same time you really are. The daily struggles- both internal and external- are exhausting, yet necessary in their quest for one simple human need....love. Finally breaking through all constraints that hold them back, reaching levels of one-ness that few actually obtain in a lifetime with their partner...only to find once they've reached that special place, it's not quite the right fit...for one of them, at least. This contemporary story will lead the reader through highs and lows, giving insight to the every day challenges of the socially unaccepted, which will no doubt leave them rooting for the underdog. Appealing to a wide variety of audiences, both homosexual and heterosexual, as the true message is not sexually based. A true story of human resilience and the power of love...plain and simple.

My Thoughts: 

I haven' t had the opprutunity yet to read a memoirs, let alone review it, I wasn't really sure what to expect, and really how do you rate someones life experiences. So again I went outside my comfort zone and started to read this book. Again I was truly surprised, as this book captivated me from page one. Lisa being born the eldest child to a old fashion, strict, Catholic set of parents if that wasn't enough, lets add growing up in the 70's and 80's where lots of people kept certain topics hidden in the closet. Lisa a 13-year-old meets Selina, and starts to have feeling for her she didnt even understand at first.  Falling in love with Selina is not going to be an easy task to explain to her parents espicially with her Mother Peggy, who she does not get along with on a good day. 

For the next six or so years, the book follows Lisa and Selina on their journey together, as they develop their relationship, fight for the right to be together, and to be accepted by all.  After being accepted, Lisa and Selina finally get a home and a life of their own, something they have always dreamed of, but with any relationship comes anger, jealousy, understanding and forgiveness. My heart goes out to them both as they struggle with their releationship, trying to keep it the same but growing as people, and growing apart is never easy to accept.  Lisa's writing has made you feel every emotion she went through as if you were right there with them.  It is a very heart felt, heart warming story that I think everyone in some part of the book will be able to relate to. I know I did.

The story was very beautiful written, I encourage everyone to read this book, it is a nice quick easy read, its encouraging, inspiring, heart warming and I am glad I went outside of my comfort zone to read this.  I am happy Lisa has found happiness and I really enjoyed at the end where we get to hear how her life has turned out today, most times you don't get to hear the part of where they are today, so I am glad she included that part.  I would like to thank Lisa for giving me this chance to read her beautiful memoirs.  This is a MUST READ and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you Lisa.