This book was recommended highly to me, especially because the GR ranking is through the roof. I have basically neutral thoughts on the title. I had a deeper emotional connection to Amy's characters in her fantasy story The Bird and the Sword, and I think those expectations rubbed off on this read. Therefore, I think i have some slight bias. I'll leave this review saying I think most people would find this a powerful read, but at the time I read it, it just wasn't the right time.

The book did not really work for me. I DNF'ed it. I wasn’t able to connect with any of the many characters in the book and I found myself putting down the book a lot because it was never really catching my attention.

Everyone needs to have that one book that makes you cry. And I'm not talking a tear or two. I'm talking big, wet, sobbing tears. For a good bit of the book. You need a book to make you feel.
Feel pain.
And hurt.
And love.
And loss.

All the loss. Man. It's a tough read. And only tough because my feels were all in this one. I wanted to keep going. I had to know what happened next. I couldn't put it down.

Love happens.
Pain.
Love.

ALL. THE. TEARS.

Just, you need this one. Add it to your #uglycry bookshelf. Never let it go again.

Making faces tells us about the life of two characters: Fern, the daughter of the pastor, who has been in love with Ambrose for many years but he had never noticed her; and Ambrose, the popular boy and star of the town, who despite having an insured future decides to enlist in the army along with his four friends after what happened on September 11. The book does not have the classic storyline of "both characters were in love and neither had noticed," no, here really Fern was totally unaware romantically of Ambrose before enlisting but after he returns physically and emotionally shattered from the war, little by little they begin to form a relationship in which second chances and self-forgiveness predominate. During the story, Ambrose has to learn how to continue his life after what happened during his military service and to accept his new future where nothing will be the same. Fern, who never stopped loving him and seeing him back so undone, tries little by little to get Ambrose out of the pit of pain and suffering where he has only sunk. The only reason I can't give it the five stars is that the book takes some time to start and the first part of the book feels a bit tedious, but these are chapters that I think were important to cement that relationship with the main characters. It is worth mentioning that the last chapters are super emotional. Making faces is a book with great lessons that shows you that even in the ugly, there is always something beautiful.

I wish I read this book earlier. But maybe I had to be in a different frame of mind. It was emotional, inspirational and sweet. I loved it.

So, I survived my first Amy Harmon book, and wow! What an emotional ride it was. I knew this book would hit me in the feels, but I actually sobbed a few times when reading this.

I used to be able to see the tops of the Towers from my Main Street, and after 9/11, I watched the smoke rise. The scene, where they are watching the planes hit the towers really brought it all back to me, and yes, there was sobbing for all the people we knew, who lost their lives that day.

This book was packed with tragedy. There were buckets of tears, but there was also these beautiful stories of survival. Stories of accepting one's "new norm", not forgetting the loved ones we lost, coming to the understanding that having them and losing them was better, than never having them in our lives at all.

It was about friendship, family, and love. A love that allows you to see beyond the surface into the heart of a person. It was about resilience and tapping that inner strength when we need it most.

Yeah, it was a sob-fest for me, but I was rewarded with a very lovely ending, and I smiled, widely, when I read the ESPN interviews with Ambrose.

While I can see this story and its plot and characters appealing to many readers, I found it to be saccharine and underdeveloped.

I found this story beautifully heartbreaking and inspiring. The message within the story stayed with me for days and colored my perspective in new and meaningful) way.
I adored the story. I found the hero and the heroine delightful, brave, heroic and charming. The plot kept me
captivated and enthralled. A beautiful story, that I was sad to let go, but happy, when it was over.

Making Faces follows fern, an ugly duckling who takes care of her fiesty cousin with MS, Bailey. Bailey's dad/Fern's uncle is the wrestling coach and through that, they both form a connection with their town's star wrestler: Ambrose. Each character deals with their own set of unique issues: Fern with her beauty, Ambrose with the attention that he receives, Bailey with his illness. All of these issues become interwoven and dealt with throughout the course of the story. This book isn't an easy one; it deals with the aftermath of 911, death, and ultimately healing.

Amy Harmon, you are AMAZING. This is such a beautifully quiet novel. It's an emotional read that will pull at your heartstrings. It's really a character-driven story but because you come to root on the characters so much, you feel fully invested in their lives and where the story is going. It's such a stunning novel about loss and life and love. I highly recommend it.

Outstanding book with amazing characters and a thoughtful storyline. As always, Amy Harmon has blown my mind with her talent. I always recommend her books to my friends and blog readers!

This is a book from my blogger shame pile that I got from NetGalley some time ago. I actually picked it up and put it down a couple times due to the age of the characters. I am not much of a young adult reader and I didn't realize that this was a young adult coming-of-age type novel. I generally like Amy Harmon, so I didn't want to write the story off so it has sat out there lingering for a while. But when I saw that it was available on Audible Romance, I decided to give it another shot. I'm glad I was listening while I was at home, as there was definitely some ugly crying and tissues needed for this one.

Ambrose Young was the small town golden boy. Between his good looks and his athletic prowess, Ambrose was easily a member of the "in" crowd and received all the perks that had to offer. As a high school student when 9/11 happened, Ambrose's thoughts turned from college and wrestling to bigger things. He was inspired by an Army Recruiter and heads off to war with his 5 buddies... but returns alone and disfigured. Ambrose then must learn to live with his new self and overcome his survivor's guilt.

Fern Taylor has always been a petite an unremarkable girl. With her small stature, frizzy red hair and freckles, she gave off the vibe of an ugly duckling. She lived life on the the fringes of the popular crowd, usually tagging along with her cousin, Bailey. But Fern was a genuinely good person. She took care of Bailey (who had Muscular Dystrophy), supported her best friend Rita to her (Fern's) own detriment, and brought the wounded soldier back into the light. She never complained or tried to put herself first. It almost seemed like Fern was born to fill a supportive role and never take the limelight. She had major self-image issues that I hated, but understood. Her dedication and selflessness was humbling. I do wish there would have been some ambition for Fern though - I didn't like that there was zero discussion of her plans or aspirations beyond high school. I almost don't feel like that is realistic for this day and age (going back to even the early 2000s when this story took place).

While the blurb made me think this story would be focused on Ambrose... I felt that it was more a coming-of-age for Fern. She stuck out more in my minds eye than Ambrose did. However, the story was also balanced by some of the secondary characters. Bailey was an inspirational aspect - and I loved his personality and attitude in light of his disability. But we also got glimpses into Rita's life, and how her reality did not live up to the expectations she had in high school.

This was not a happy story - and I found myself ugly crying for a good portion of the end. It was heartfelt and poignant, and I'm glad I finished it. Again, I'm not a huge fan of young adult stories so I think I would have enjoyed it more if the characters were older... but the writing was good and on par with Amy Harmon's other works. I didn't quite get the Beauty and the Beast aspect. I think that mention gave me unrealistic expectations for the story.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes coming-of-age stories and ugly cry books.

I'm really just not a fan of this author's writing style so I don't think I am going to be reading anymore of her books or requesting them.

Fern has been in love with Ambrose since they were 10, but she is used to being ignored. When you look like a 12 year old, have thick glasses, and braces all through high school, people don't really notice you. Bailey, Fern's cousin, best friend, and confidante, just wants to live life as best as he can with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Bailey's dad is the wrestling coach, so he is friends with all the wrestlers. Ambrose is the one everyone loves, he's beautiful, works hard, is the best wrestler, and has potential to bring glory to the town with a wrestling scholarship. When he decides to enlist, with his four best friends, after 9/11, everyone is surprised, but supportive. Sent to Iraq, only Ambrose returns, scarred and broken.

This book gives off slight beauty and the beast vibes, but has so much more to commend it. I love the friendship between Fern and Bailey, and Bailey and the wrestlers. The careful testing of the waters between Fern and Ambrose after his return, was amusing and touching. I'm not sure how I missed this Amy Harmon book, I've been a fan for a while. I bought this one for the high school, and it's been popular.

Novels like "Making Faces" usually aren't my thing, but I thought that this was really well done. I gave this novel four stars because it made me really emotional at times and I thought that the writing was really beautiful.

Unfortunately, the characters don't really well that well rounded at times and seem instead to remain rather flawless throughout. This did not take away from the emotions of the story, but for me it detracted from the novel in some ways because I thought that the novel could have been even better if the author showed the characters to have flaws and struggles.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would definitely recommend it to my friends.

I really enjoyed this!! I love a good New Adult book and this definitely is a new favorite in my book.

In the small town of Hannah Lake, everyone knows everyone, but they certainly know wrestling star Ambrose Young, devastatingly beautiful, kind, on the road to a college scholarship and stardom. Fern Taylor, on the other hand, is the local pastor's daughter, used to melting into the background aiding her cousin, Bailey. On the 11th September 2001, everything changes. As the town watches, horrified as a plane crashes close to home, five boys decide to fight for their country, one comes home. Could anything be beautiful again?

Oh my goodness, what a novel. What a novel. It’s been quite a while since I fell in love with a good work of fiction and Amy Harmon has produced something that will be hard to beat. A novel that focuses on love, loss, sacrifice, friendship and beauty I very nearly cried at multiple points. I didn’t know when the novel was set and by coincidence, I started reading on the anniversary of 9/11, which just made it hit harder. To think and imagine how it impacted young adults at the time and those who came home from war a shell of the person they were before.

I really felt connected to all of the characters. Fern was a brilliant character, I cared about her because she wasn’t a perfect girl. There’s definitely an ugly duckling vibe to her, but she doesn’t seem to feel sorry for herself constantly she gets on with it and just accepts who she is. I think, however, my favourite character of the entire novel is Bailey I like his wit, his outlook and just the optimism he has. I loved the relationship between Fern and Bailey too, there was genuine love and friendship it went much deeper than just being cousins.

The subject matter is incredibly tough and the way that Harmon has managed to weave in hope and a heartfelt message of beauty coming from within was wonderful. This is definitely going to be on my recommendation list. I also want to get my hands on more of Harmon’s novels. I gave this a very rare 5 stars. This is a truly wonderful book, Harmon makes you think about these characters and issues for days after. I was absolutely in love throughout, even though it made me want to sob. I’d recommend it to everyone!

In my opinion, this was a very well written novel. I truly enjoyed the characters and the plot throughout.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

This book is an outstanding testament as to why Amy Harmon is my favourite author.

Making Faces emotionally gutted me. It was insightful, it was reflective, it was emotionally provoking, and it sure as heck made me appreciate how privileged I truly am. This book will make your heart clench like no other.

Disclaimer: This isn't a typical review but perhaps more of a homily.

Tragedy & War.
I will never forget sitting in my Grade 5 classroom, in Winnipeg, and watching my frantic teachers converse about the tragedy taking place in New York City: 9/11. I will never forget witnessing my classmate, Karina, balling her eyes out as the towers were crashing down to the earth because her mother was working in an office right next to them, away on a business trip. This is one of my most sobering memories as a child.

Disease & Abuse.
I’ve always lived by the motto that someone always has it worse, and this book emphasizes on that fact that. It’s okay to feel a bit down every now and then, but just know, there is always someone out there in this world that would give anything to be in your shoes.

Ms. Harmon did an exceptional job of bringing awareness and shedding light on what it's like to live with muscular dystrophy. It was not hard to fall in love with Bailey's character and envy his positive outlook on life.

This book also touches on the unfortunate reality of abusive relationships. My heart went out to the character that had to endure abuse day after day. The uncomfortable realization that many women (and men) all over the world are desperately trying to get away or reach out for help while I was reading this book was unsettling.

Loss & Love.
Let’s be honest, death is inevitable in our future and at some point, it will seize us. Do you ever take a moment out of your day to reflect on yourself and appreciate your loved ones? What if you woke up only with the blessings you acknowledged yesterday. Did you even remember to acknowledge any of them? Count your blessings EVERY DAY like it's your last.

The Greeks distinguished four types of love: storge, philia, eros, and agape. This book did an exceptional job of covering each one.

Final Thoughts.
This book is poetically stunning and I very much appreciated the diversity of each character. Ms. Harmon pulls you through the dirt with each one and shows you that, while we associate dirt as being a bad thing, we can also use the dirt we're dragged through to help us grow into a better person. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Book Song.
The Civil Wars - Dance Me to the End of Love

I like that this novel is original and I can easily see how this will be popular amongst some of the YA community. But for me, it was a hard read, the writing style slowed the pace down, which for me took the fun out of the story.