I wish the book had been longer! I feel like a lot happens in too few pages. I would have enjoyed seeing more of the orphanage, or pesantren, and spent more time with the children there. The art and group therapy were interesting, and I would have liked for it to have been expanded on. It was eye-opening listening to them recall their memories of the tsunami, and seeing how far they had come after such a traumatic experience.

It's a sweet story with a whirlwind romance. I wouldn't really call what they had an insta-love, it was more like an insta-attraction. I like that Sienna wasn't afraid to act on her feelings, and that she trusted herself and Deni. Their feelings did grow rapidly, but don't all new relationships start off that way? They were both in a unique situation, and they never forgot that their time together was temporary. They wanted to enjoy what they had and live in the moment.

Deni is still a mystery to me. His entire life before Sienna and the tsunami is still unknown, and something else I wanted to know more about. I also felt like the information about her friends at home, Bev and Spider, was limited. I had hoped to learn a little more about them, too.

Oh, and Bapak? Deni made a lot of serious accusations against him that are never investigated. I feel like someone should have either verified his claims, or at least looked into them. I really love the story and the concept for this book, I just wish there had been more.

If you love books where two cultures collide, you will enjoy WHERE I FOUND YOU. Sienna is a 17-year-old girl who is still traumatized from when her mother died in a plane crash five years previous. After a lot of pressure she agrees to travel with her dad to Indonesia to help orphans after the 2010 tsunami hit, despite her fear of flying. I loved the cultural aspects of the book, and felt so connected to the orphans that were suddenly alone. The first half of the book was well-written and set up a beautiful story line. I couldn't wait for more. 

Unfortunately, the second half took a bizarre turn. Sienna was at this school for orphans, in a position to do a lot of good, but the book turned into more of a romance, than the heart-warming story I was hoping for. A lot of it didn't even take place at the school, and we don't see any more of the orphans I was growing attached to. Not only that, but the nature of the romance seemed better suited for a NA/Adult book than for a YA book. I'm not talking about sexual scenes or anything like that (It is actually a really clean book, no vulgarity, sexual situations, etc.). But the direction the romance goes, and the position she is put in at the end of the story, is way too serious, way too fast. Especially for someone like Sienna.

In the end, I was disappointed that a story with so much potential went the direction it did. Overall, I'm going to have to give WHERE I FOUND YOU 3 out of 5 Stars.

Review copy received from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Where I Found You by Heidi R. Kling. Sienna is still reeling from her mother’s disappearance that occurred five years ago. Her father is trying to move forward, but still honor his lost wife at the same time. It’s assumed that she went down in a plane crash over the Indian Ocean. Sienna reluctantly agrees to go with her father to a community across the world in Indonesia that has been struck by a Tsunami which caused disaster. While there, Sienna’s eyes are opened and her empathy for those who have suffered through the Tsunami and lost so much overcomes her own feelings of loss. She meets and helps several people and gains a close, wonderful relationship with a young man named Reni. She discovers that Reni is searching for his father and she does everything she can to help him. This touching, beautiful realistic fiction story opened my eyes to the horrible tragedy and suffering of the Tsunami victims, many things I had never thought about or heard of. I enjoyed learning about another culture also. I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel!!! 5 stars.

Where I Found You is a young adult contemporary romance novel that is full of hope. sadness, second chances, family, friendships, and love. I enjoyed reading this novel and was drawn in from page one. The characters are well thought out with intriguing backstories and pasts that help to mesh the overall story. The setting only adds to the warmth tone of the novel. A remarkable read that is perfect for these cold winter nights.

If you tend to read Khaled Hosseini, have already finished Camron Wright's The Orphan Keeper, and are waiting for all the teenagers to be done reading I Will Always Write Back, pick up Where I Found You. Everything changes for twelve-year-old Sienna when her mother disappears and is presumed dead from a plane crash in the Indian Ocean. Now, four years later, her father wants her to come along on a volunteer trip they're taking to an area of Indonesia devastated by a tsunami. Despite the fact that she's terrified of flying, she faces her fears and her PTSD head on, meeting people along the way who will change her perspective on life forever.

I think this book was interesting, and I appreciate the motivation behind it, but it just wasn't for me. The subject matter was a little heavier than I tend to enjoy.

I definitely recommend this book for people who enjoy reading about difficult topics and who like their endings a bit open ended.

4.5 Stars!

This book has been on my radar since I read and LOVED Heidi Kling's, Paint My Body Red. I had even found a second-hand hardcover, but had yet to read it. When I discover there would be a revised second edition (with a different title,) I jumped at the chance to read it early. I had my suspicions that it would be something I enjoyed and I wasn't wrong.

Where I Found You tackles the effects of death and trauma on its survivors, while tempering it with a healing romance. High school senior Sienna is still reeling from her mother's death and agrees to travel with Team Hope to Indonesia after their devastating tsunami. (Based on the 2004 Indonesian tsunami) As Sienna immerses herself in helping young orphans, she also bonds with the older Deni, who has lost his family to the tsunami. Their growing romance was sweet, but also very intense with the realities of time, culture and logistics. While I wanted to keep rooting for them as a couple, that reality kept me patient. Because of that, I was able to see this book as something far greater than just a YA romance. Watching how this American team had to be respectful of culture, customs, etc, was enlightening and well-handled. Other than a few parts feeling a little rushed, I enjoyed everything about this book. Even the ending. While some readers want to always read what they deem as a "true" happily-ever-after, I'm fine with a happy-for-now or unconventional endings in the stories I read. Yet now the author has written a sequel. As much as I was okay with the ending of this book, now I can't wait to see what happens next with these wonderful characters.

A wonderfully written story of a young woman struggling with the loss of her mother now being pushed by her father to once again live a full life. We are taken on a journey with Sienna to a devastated Indonesia where she will be working with a humanitarian team. Sienna is determined to get through this but never did she expect the life changing events that were to come. The author did a fantastic job of painting the picture of the local with her very descriptive writing style and making us feel as though we are witnessing Sienna's journey first hand.

Definitely a book I recommend.

I did not know what to expect going into this book, but I was pleasantly surprised! This story was full of romance, self-discovery, loss, angst, and hope. The author tied in so many different elements to this story, which kept the plot refreshing and interesting. The angst in this book was a little much at times, but it definitely kept the story moving!

I loved how this book mainly took place in Indonesia. I have never been to Indonesia before or read a book set there, so it was so interesting to read about. I don't know a lot about their culture, but it seemed like the author researched their customs and tried to represent it as accurately as possible.

I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book. Sienna, the main character, was a really inspiring girl. I felt her pain and anguish over the traumatizing events of her past. It was so wonderful to watch her overcome her fears and become a stronger person. Her growth throughout this story was one of the best parts of this book. There were also a lot of well developed side characters that added depth to the plot. The only characters I wish I could have seen more of were Spider and Bev. Bev was Sienna's best friends from the states, so we didn't get to see a lot of her throughout the book. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will see more of her in book two! The relationship between Spider and Sienna left a lot of unanswered questions, so I am also hoping to see that addressed more in the sequel.

The romance in this book was full of passion and intimate moments. Deni said some corny lines, but I still swooned just like Sienna did. However, I was always a little wary of Deni though because I felt like he had some secrets he was hiding. There were a lot of obstacles that Deni and Sienna had to face, and I am intrigued to see how those obstacles will carry over into in the sequel. I truly did feel the connection between Deni and Sienna, even if their romance was a little rushed towards the end. I ship them SO HARD. I NEED ANSWERS ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND I WANT THEM TO GET THEIR HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Overall, I thought Where I Found You was an entertaining and memorable read. I am extremely excited to see what adventures the characters go on in the sequel!

3.5 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

When I started this one I was excited to read about the aftermath of the tsunami. Maybe excited is not the right word but curious. The book showed me a little of what it was like for the children who were orphaned. A few customs were described as well as how some of the relief workers managed. I was really enjoying the book until the romance got thrown in. Sienna was only to be there 2 weeks but not only that she is just 17. How far the relationship went in such a short time with such tragedy around them turned me off. It didn't seem right with the story from the start and how it ended. In my opinion if the author would have cut back on how far it went it would have been a better story. Can't say to much without spoilers. First part of the book was a 4 but the relationship issues I had knocked it down to a 3. I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I received this ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. So thank you netgalley and publishers.
I have never read from this author before but this book was really good! This story is about Sienna who finds her identity while being compassionate and understanding to those less fortunate than her. Her background is shown in bits and peices in the begining, Her mother's death kept her to herself, but once she reached Indonesia with Team Hope, a group of humanitarian workers, Sienna opens up to everyone and works to make their lives better even if it means stepping out of her comfort zone. She leaves the shelter she is volunteering at, leaves her Dad and her fellow workers to help Deni, who is a survivor of the tsunami, find his Dad.  Sienna and Deni go on a hunt leaving a trail through the island of Sumatra. I really liked this book and I'm glad I got a chance to read it!
I give it a 4 star rating.. :)

The book is slightly depressing, and it sounds a little like other stories I've read, just more depressing and different places/people.

Where I Found You (Sea #1)
Heidi R. Kling
Book Review: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Sienna stopped living the day her mother died. She stopped loving everything and became distant from the life she once knew. On her birthday her dad gives her the opportunity to turn her life around and get back on track with her dreams. Her dream was to follow in her parents footsteps, but this is what lead to her mothers unfortunate departure. Sienna has to find the courage to find herself again and she could find so much more.

Where I found you takes us into a world many people can't even imagine. Sienna is given the opportunity to join her fathers team . They are spending the summer helping out with orphans who have lost everything in a tsunami.

Deni is the mystery boy she meets. He awakens Sienna in a way she had forgotten existed, but Deni is from a different walk of life. He has his own problems.

Where I found you is so much more than a romance novel. This book has so much culture and interesting facts as well as the storyline. I definitely learnt a thing or 2. There are some interesting characters that made me want to know more about them. It has a heartfelt storyline with an element of truth. It's about finding yourself and moving forward with life.

4 stars out of 5.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

ebook £3.66
Expected publication: December 4th 2017 by Entangled Teen (first published June 10th 2010)

Book 2: Where the sea takes me is out 2nd April 2018.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of ‘Where I Found You’. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book; Where I Found You
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, what a tumultuous ride this was! As soon as I read the synopsis of the book, I knew this one was for me. The best kind of books are the ones that make you FEEL and stay with you long after you’ve finished read it. I read it in just a few hours and I couldn’t put it down. The ending was not predictable which I loved and hated at the same time 💔 I also loved that my religion (Islam) was actually quite a focal point and there were no discriminations against it so kudos to the author for capturing it so perfectly. Even adding that the Mosque was the only thing standing after the Tsunami hit 💚
This was a perfect YA blend of heartbreak, change, dealing with loss and getting up again even if everything seems hopeless, there’s always a light at the end of a tunnel. #WhereIFoundYou #Netgalley