What begins as a chance flirtation between two strangers in a bar becomes a love story that will face adversity, prejudice, loss and the pain of the reality that life is merely a fragile flower that is easily crushed.

I'm not sure if I've ever cried so much while reading a book. However, it was outstanding, thoughtful, and certainly thought-provoking. I don't want to go into too much detail in case someone reads this and hasn't heard all about it, but Jessica And Danny's story is absolutely one of true love and gut-wrenching loss.

Be warned that there are some very heavy subjects involving rape, death, substance abuse, judgment, hate, suicide and so on. Kleenex is absolutely needed while reading this one. However, despite the serious and uncomfortable situations, although I was left feeling sad for Jessica and Danny, the primary feeling was one of love and contentment. Not all love stories are long and go on until each is old and grey...

I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style, but considering this was translated from German, I'm overlooking it because I feel that's the reason for some disconnects I felt. Otherwise, this is a novel that will stay with you, make you ugly cry, and truly make you think about how we all live our lives, love ourselves, and love others.

*Many, many thanks to NetGalley for providing this review copy in exchange for my honest review!

I'm sorry but I couldn't finish this book. I really tried, but romance seems not to be the genre for me, all sounds cheesy and even dumb, but maybe that's just me.

A beautiful, tragic, but uplifting story. Young Jessica meets Danijel, who at first seems like a first class jerk. But, we soon learn the reasons behind his behavior, and it is truly heartbreaking. Soon, Danny and Jessica are deep in a beautiful relationship that few could or would ever understand. This is a story about living YOUR life, outside world be damned! The fact that it was based on a true to life events makes it all the more poignant.

I'll be honest, I was not expecting this flood of emotion that came from reading this.
Its a bitter and hard reality to face and this book has made me realize how dark the world could really be. For someone to have experienced all that these characters have and then still come out postive is unbelievable but Jessica Koch has made it real and she made it believable!

What can I even say……… Boy this book nearly made me cry. The one thing that struck me most about the book was that it wasn’t easy to read. Reading Jessica’s story makes you realize just how cruel the world could be and I couldn’t help but feel terrible. Terrible for Danny, terrible for Jessica and terrible for their best friend Christina. Despite the dark past and sad undertone of the book, Jessica Koch manages to focus on the positives of life. There is so much more to the book then just the history of the characters, and you simply can’t help but fall in love with the characters. Additionally, the translator has done a great job with the book so I have no absolutely no complaints in that area.

So Near the Horizon is a pretty beautiful read, and I definitely recommend it to all those who enjoy New Adult novels.

This was a very emotional read. There were some sweet moments of young love and strong relationships, but the overall feel of this book is turmoil, pain, and the general unfairness of life. If you start reading this without knowing anything about it, as I did, you will have a few big surprises. The chapters are all titled with the month and year they're set in, which is important to note in terms of one of the main characters. The characters seem realistic, personality-wise, but I don't know much about how people in their late teens/early twenties went about their lives in 1999-2002 Germany to say if their lifestyles are realistic. Be forewarned that there are deep, serious themes in this book that may not appeal to everyone. Had I known ahead of time, I may not have chosen to read this book, but it definitely kept me interested until the very end. I'm not sure I will continue the trilogy, as the subject may be too heavy for my general reading preference.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I DNFd this book.

You just checked the rating, didn't you? We'll, let me explain.

I did not finish this book because I couldn't read it any further because I freaked out. No, it's not a horror story, it's one of the most beautiful love stories I've ever read. And it's a true story. So why didn't I finish reading it?

Because this book was so raw, so real that it completely took me off guard. Though there was no trigger warnings in the blurb, this book deals with issues like sexual abuse and an untreatable life threatening disease. And the second one is kinda too close to home for me.

Also, I was in love with Danny and Jessica's love story. And I knew that it was going to end. So I couldn't bear to read it.

Hopefully, some day I'll have enough courage to pick it up again, and finish reading it, but until then, I'll prefer to think that they're living together happily.

And yet, I will recommend you to read this one. Because it's beautiful, mesmerising, heartbreaking, a bit crazy and full of love.

This story is based on the author's real life, and I'd like to salute her for being so strong.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy, and inevitable heartbreak, in exchange for my honest review.

First, this IS NOT a romance book. It's nonfiction, which makes a monumental difference here. Also, which is why many typical romance readers don't get it right. CoHo doesn't add up to this level of honesty, in my opinion.

The first 30% feels like a cheesy teenage drama, but when you hit this mark it shatters completely. You are never the same again, not while reading the rest, not the way you start seeing your friends and parents, not the way you travel to work and back. Not the way you love or hate. Or breathe, or even take that morning run. Especially, the morning run.

Because you know what's coming. And you can't reverse it. No matter how many tears you shed.

I asked myself again as a writer how many bottles of gin or vodka Jessica Koch must have gone through to gut all of this, and then spend so many hours in her memories to actually write it out, adit it, proofread it, query it, promote it...it's like a regular dose of salt in your wounds.

This book is raw and truthful. It's also brilliant and honest, and with so much love most people sadly have never felt in their teen years. It reads much like a personal journal of what it's like to fall in love with someone at the age of 18 only discover that he has HIV, and WHY, irreversibly breaking your heart and changing your life forever.

I literally wanted to write to Jessica Koch to thank her for finally uncovering the imperfections of her supposedly "strong" country. I've lived in Germany and my husband has worked in German medical industry and that was in 2013, and I can honestly say not much has changed in terms of their attitude and general care for patients.

As an avid reader, I'm tired of constantly feeling like if it doesn't happen IN America (or at least the UK) or doesn't concern it, then it doesn't matter. I mean there are books out there, but just how popular are they? Which means, if nobody spends precious PR money to put them on top shelves, they go mainly unnoticed.

I hope millions of people meet Danijel Taylor in these pages. And I hope his name really does leave a footprint in our consciousnesses. I still can't believe such cruelty exists in the families out there, no matter what the nationalities. I refuse to accept it as simple human nature in the male gender. But THANK YOU for writing such a moving book about it. I can't imagine it was easy.

I was given the opportunity to read an electronic copy of So Near the Horizon via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

So Near the Horizon is based on the true story of author Jessica Koch and her boyfriend Danijel Taylor. From the day they met at a festival in Stuttgart, Germany when Jessica was 17 and Danny was 20, there was no denying the attraction between them. His bizarre behavior towards Jessica confused her, as his hot and cold attitude had her wondering if Danny was even worth pursuing. As she became more involved in Danny's life and that of his best friend Tina, Jessica was privy to certain details about their lives that left her reeling. As the situation goes from bad to worse, will Jessica stand by those who she loves the most?

Since So Near the Horizon is based on actual events, it is impossible to know what is fact and what is fiction in this book. Although the story itself is compelling, I was not a fan of the writing style. Some of this can be attributed to the book being translated from German, but much of my problem is due to the excited utterances throughout the pages. To me, it felt as though the author wanted to tell the reader how to feel about certain parts, not allowing the story to flow naturally. Although the premise was good, So Near the Horizon just did not leave as much of a lasting impression that I had hoped.

Oh My God, I don't even know how to start. I'm still overwhelmed with too much emotions.
Maybe let me start by warning everyone that this book contains triggers. FOR REAL. And please understand that this book is preferably for mature readers.

I know, I should've run away because of the explicit contents but I've been putting this aside for too long already. Besides after just reading two chapters, I was hooked. I was intrigued. The story indeed is so engaging, it was that well-written, people. This is my 48th book read this year and so far the most challenging to read. It made so emotional. I got angry frustrated, annoyed, afraid, teary-eyed, and loved. Thanks to the characters who were portrayed so well. I kinda hate Danny at first, he seemed a little bit too arrogant for me but that made him more realistic and his development was so much better because of that. And Jessica, I love how she affected Danny's life. They were strong characters and definitely relatable. The things they've gone through and faced reminded me what it means to be human. I felt so human, vulnerable to adversaries while reading this book. No kidding. But it also made me hopeful, even though the story kinda shows otherwise, I couldn't help but feel brave. Maybe because of the love between the characters, it was infectious, heart-wrenching but heartwarming.

This book is one heck of an emotional ride, be sure to have some Kleenex with you, Okay? Again, be warned about the triggers. :) :)

What an incredible read. I wasn't sure at first as it had a trivial teenage feel at the start and the characters seemed quite shallow. However, quite quickly as we followed the blossoming relationship between Danny and Jessica, these two lead characters grew and developed. The issues they were dealing with on a daily basis were handled with a maturity beyond their years. Danny's backstory is so harrowing and disturbing that it made for really difficult reading at times. Danny's close friend Tina is similarly damaged and this formed an incredible bond between them. I hadn't done my research properly on this book before I read it and I was totally unaware that it was based on a true story. I only realised towards the end when the story became unbearably heart-breaking to read and it meant the book had even more of an impact. It's a must read that will stay with you for a long time after.

So Near the Horizon is the saddest book I have ever read. I have to admit, I didn’t actually realise it was a true account until I was nearly half way through. I never read nonfiction but I’m so glad I read this. Jessica painted a very vivid picture of her time with Danny and I desperately wish there could have been a happy ending for him and Christina. They both deserved better. They were dealt such awful cards in life. It’s so unfair how their lives ended. I was disgusted by the end where Jessica revealed what happened to the money. There should be laws to prevent that happening.

Overall, I would recommend this book. It’s one of those books that will stay with you for a long time after finishing.

My rating of this book is based on the importance of the topic. It is a heartbreaking book, as are any that deal with the depths to which humans sink out of fear and the inordinate capability of some to be as destructive to others as possible. These negatives being said, it is also deeply affirming of the depths of love of which humans are capable.

To be honest, I had a tough time warming to Jessica. She appeared too in suspense, too dramatic, however, inside some pages, her true temperament and depth were uncovered as her relationship with Danny grew. Danny was what each hero ought to be after to be. No, he didn’t have superpowers, he had heart and compassion and knew the way to take everything that life bimanual him and still refund the simplest he had.

This is a story of growth and acceptance and standing robust as a team. I laughed, I cried, I gasped and that I completed I'll always remember the story of Danny and Jessica, proof that notwithstanding the ending, it had been the journey that produces the story real.

What begins as an opportunity toying between 2 strangers during a bar becomes a story which will face adversity, prejudice, loss and therefore the pain of the fact that life is simply a fragile flower that's simply crushed.

Oh My God! What a touching story, sweet and strong at the same time. I never imagined taking this book that I would come across such a real and moving story. I do not know what to write, I'm up to now with a lump in my throat and a tightness in my chest, those are the emotion I'm feeling.
The story of Jessica, Danny and Christina is unique and singular. The writing of Jessica transcends the pages I stayed a good part of the book imagining everything they went through and it was as if I could feel the pain of each one on my skin. My reading was slow because I could not always move on, but it was gratifying every moment dedicated to it.
A book that everybody should read much to value the life we have and realize that even with human cruelty there is kindness in the hearts of many people.
The cover was very well chosen and I swear I still twisted it to the end so that it was different than it really was.

This book needs a disclaimer with it to warn of the need for at least one box of kleenex. I would recommend this to fans of ME BEFORE YOU and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. However, knowing this book is based on the author's life makes it even more heartbreaking. Others have described the storyline in reviews. I highly suggest this book. I sincerely hope the other books in this trilogy become translated to English soon. A must read!

DNF (40%)
This might just be a case of not being part of the target group for this book, but I really didn't enjoy it. Jessica annoyed me so much; she was so immature, dim and judgemental. Danny was creepily pushy in the first few chapters. I didn't understand (why) they even liked each other, let alone proclaim love so easily. The rest was over the top melodrama.
I also really didn't like writing. It felt quite distant, and the occasional chapters from a different pov felt weird and completely random.
I tried to stick with the book but I'm giving up. It's so far from my cup of tea, I'm not even sure it's a beverage.

C’est un récit coup de poing qui vous mettra KO. Une épopée qui vous étreindra le coeur et qui vous fera verser des larmes. Un très beau livre et une leçon d’humanité. Un coup de coeur. Le témoignage d’une vie et un hommage à ce qu’elle a apporté.

Maintenant, je comprends pourquoi il a remporté tant de succès de l’autre côté de la frontière. C’est un récit de vie dont je pourrais parler pendant des heures tout en ayant l’impression de ne pas lui rendre justice. A lire. Mille fois oui, à lire.

I don’t like romance. I only pick up romance books once in a while because as a reader, I believe we need diversity. But this is so much more than just a romance book.
I have to say I didn’t except much of this book and I underestimated it when I began reading. “Sure, just another love story.” But I was wrong: this is a story of managing to find yourself, to prosper, to be a better human being.
This changed the way I see everything in life. The writing style is also very beautiful, I genuinely appreciate it.
Even though I like finishing books in a few days, I didn’t mind spending more of my time while reading this.
I loved it, I will keep reading your books, Jessica!!