I have no words. Just read it and fall in love. Also don't go into this book knowing what happens. Go in blind. All the 5 stars and I can't wait to read the next book.

Fantastic & enthralling😍

Laqueur is a master at creating a story that you can't put down and are unlikely to forget.

The book's length was initially intimidating and held me back. But from the first chapters that introduced young Alejandro and his terror in the Pinochet takeover of Chile in 1973, I was caught up in the story. Then Jav came along and I realized how much I wanted to be immersed in these characters' lives.

This book is a gem, from the seamless writing, to the characterizations and the emotional power Suanne Laqueur instills into her subjects and the people and events that shape their lives. I knew before I reached the middle of the novel that I had to pick up the rest of the trilogy and stay with Alex and Jav until the end.

Recommended without reservation: this is quality storytelling!

Thanks to Cathedral Rock Press and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary copy; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This book packed so much!! Very complex characters, the intertwining stories, the author's writing...

I loved everything about it, fell in love with all the characters and cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

Sometimes I felt that the sex was a bit much, but after further consideration, I saw what the author was trying to convey.

I think this may be unpopular, but I didn't like it, unfortunately. I felt that the incest was too erotic to feel comfortable for me to read, and I ended up skipping through large portions of the book. If I wanted to read erotica, I would pick an erotica book. Maybe it just wasn't in my comfort zone.

Once again, I have no idea how to feel about what I just read.

Alex is a Chilean refugee, sent to the US during Pinochet’s coup. Val is a captivating girl from the Lark family, who ends up becoming home for Alex. And Javi is a boy cast out from his family, struggling to survive in an unforgiving world. At first seemingly separate stories, the three cross paths in the most coincidental of ways. This is a story of lost love, coming to accept oneself, and the bonds forged both through pain and healing.

I really liked the first half of this book (minus the cousin incest scene—seriously, why did they have to be cousins?). There’s a feeling I get reading certain books where I have no idea what the message is, or where the journey is going, and I can just float along in the lives of the characters. Those are the books where I feel most connected to the story, because it feels like real life. And I definitely felt that with this book. I was rooting for all of the characters (minus the obvious villains), even though they made some mistakes. I was invested in their lives, and I cried at their heartbreak, especially Jav’s.

I also really loved the healing journey they went on. The continuous mantra of “second chances are given or made” was a really powerful one. The parts about 9/11 and “los desaparecidos” were very moving, and combined with that message in such a profound way. Seeing Alex break down over reliving his trauma in 9/11, and the way Jav related to him was absolutely soul-crushing.

However everything I liked sort of went away in the second half of the book. For starters, I get that this is an adult book, and therefore there will be some “adult” scenes. But I signed up to read literary fiction, and toward the end it felt more like erotica. And the fact that incest kept popping up made me very uncomfortable to say the least.

I also just didn’t get the point. The first half was great, but then all of a sudden Jav, Alex, and Val reconnect, and things go very bad. I don’t want to give anything away, but the problem they face is such a “so what?” in the end. They all broke character (in my opinion), caused so much drama, and in the end nothing had been changed because of it. Sure, I guess they got a happy ending, but it wasn’t the one that would have made sense to me.

I felt like I was reading two entirely different stories at once. Honestly, if the book had ended right at the point where Jav started reconnecting with Val and Alex, I would have been so much happier. The last 200 pages or so really only made me like everyone a whole lot less.

Despite all of that, I was engaged until the end, and finished it in almost one sitting. And seeing as to how I have the attention span of a gnat, that’s pretty impressive. This is one of the most tangible books I have ever read, and the characters have made a home in my mind. The writing itself was great, I just didn’t like where the story went.

Rating: 3/5
Pacing: medium
Intended audience: Very Adult
Content warnings: parental abuse, incest, mentions of torture/sexual assault, terrorist attacks (9/11), death of family members

This is a hard book to summarize. It’s about love. Families. Loss. And second chances.

A slow read, this felt more like a soap opera than I usually appreciate, too tense & dramatic. And more sex than I was expecting, so not really my thing.

But the characters were diverse, intricate, & detailed. And the emotions were poignant and forefront throughout the story. This might not be my kind of book. But I can appreciate it for what it is.

The story follows the lives of three characters, Alex, Val, and Jav. They are introduced when they are young and spanning over three decades, their lives cross paths again. Exaltation of Larks is a story about friendship, love, family, loss. It is full of emotions and breaks your heart before putting it back together again. I enjoyed this novel quite a bit and am surprised there isn't more hype around it. It is the first of a trilogy as well.

My heart, this book, it is a treasure. I really really enjoyed reading this story, the writing was beautiful and the story spellbinding. It's one of those unforgettable books, I'll definitely get a physical copy for me.

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the review copy.
Okay,this book! I don't know where this book had been all my life. The writing was fluid and easy,the characters were so realistic and also close to heart,and the plot was beautiful and unique.
Jay,Alex and Val meet each other in their twenties. They meet again two decades later,but by then their lives and certain traumas have shaped them into different people,which brings them closer than they could have imagined.
The way Jay tries to come to terms with his sexuality was so,so real,I had a hard time holding back tears. I felt like I was a part of the relationship of these three,and they made me happy and soppy.
I also had no idea that this was a series. However,I would recommend this to everyone as a standalone,because I know you will love it.

Do you know the kind of book that swallows you whole? That makes you want to pick it up even though it’s in the middle of the night and you just closed it. The sort of story that takes over your mind, body and soul? The kind that makes you restless and achy with the need to continue? This special sort of book that touches you on such a profound and fundamental level your heart quite literally bursts from hurting, but, boy it hurts so good?!

“An Exaltation of Larks” was everything of the above and so, so, so much more! I had no idea what I was getting myself into until it was already too late. Until I found myself so deeply immersed in this story that it seemed to be impossible to get away from its words. They followed me around, taunted me, teased me, wanted to be read with such a relentless fervour that I couldn’t even think about uttering the word “no”.

That’s exactly how this book made me feel and even after finishing it two weeks ago it still didn’t let me go. This story swept me off my feet, dug its claws into my skin and sang me to sleep. And to be entirely honest, this effect is still going on. By now I think “An Exaltation of Larks” was written to bury itself in my soul so that I would never feel alone again. And if that is truly the case then all I can say is that it can have every inch of my heart it conquered.

There are so many things I loved about this book, so many in fact that I don’t even know where to start. I adored Val and Alex, I worshipped Jav, whose character was so similar to mine that it sometimes felt like torture to read on. I connected with him on such a basic level that it killed me to accompany him on his difficult journey. But just like him I longed for more and no matter how much I got, I just couldn’t get enough. Of the strong friendships in this book, of the relationships between the characters, of the family they became. I swear the relationships in this book were everything!!! Just everything!! The humour, the banter, I loved how they joked, how comfortable they were around each other, how effortlessly those two families merged into one.

There are three people that found each other because they were meant to, because destiny had chosen them before they even knew it themselves and they love each other so deeply, so madly, so unconditionally that it broke my heart. The way Suanne let them deal with their troubles, how they acted around each other, how they were angry and mad but still so very much in love. How they fought for their love, how they realized that they had to accept their feelings with all their consequences, weaknesses and flaws. It just blew me away!! Suanne can write! And it’s so convincing, so realistic that it killed me. The chemistry of those characters, the cozy atmosphere, the strong feeling of belonging, of kinship and above all else the affection and love that connects them all.

I swear at times I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I felt so fragile you could have shattered me with a soft breeze. Val’s and Alex’s marriage was so wonderful, yet I also loved the idea of Alex and Jav. To be entirely honest, the mere thought of all of them together kind of blew my mind and I suppose in some way or another those three actually kind of were in some sort of relationship. They were so connected, it was hard to even imagine them not being involved with each other and their children Ari and Deane only seemed to add to that intense sensation of all-encompassing love.

Of course none of those characters had it easy, because as we all know life may be described with an abundance of words but “easy” is certainly none of them. This said there are quite a lot of serious topics that are tackled by Suanne and they were woven so gently into the rug of this story that you don’t know where the seam begins or ends. They are as much a part of the book as they are a part of the characters and I’m still in awe of the author’s ability to let those stories speak for themselves. “The Disappeared” of Chile, 9/11 and its effects, the way our family and our personal history shapes us. I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried throughout the entire chapter that dealt with 9/11 and that the only thing that made it better was to remind myself of the things that are good in this world. Namely, a short peek at my kid while she was fast asleep in her bed. This chapter wrecked me, big time, as did so many other moments in this book... ¡Vale! I just had to take a deep breath because my emotions are still all over the place and I’m pretty certain this will never change.

So this was my rather futile attempt to convey how much this book means to me and I can’t help but feel like I failed miserably. There is no way to put all of those emotions into words and if I’d live a million years I still wouldn’t be able to describe this painful contentment that I feel. “Therapy Fiction”, “Contemporary Train Wreck”, “Emotionally Intelligent Romance” those are all terms that are used to describe Suanne’s books. Well, I guess I have a new one for you: “Heart-breaking Realism”.
Make of that what you want, but I can guarantee you one thing: If you read this, you will never be the same again. All the stars! All the stars, por siempre jamás!

Suanne Laqueur is a new to me author.
I really didn't know what to expect when I first dived into this book but I did start to enjoy it.
The writing is fluid , the characters are well developed and the story line flows seamlessly.
This was an unexpected joy to read. I will definitely be reading the next two installments in this series

My first book written by Suanne Laquer and I'll definitely be back for more. This is a beautifully written and heart warming story that I would recommend to absolutely everyone.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

God this was something else. I loved every second of this generational family saga. September 11, 1973: The Chilean government is overthrown by a coup and Alejandro Penda is forced to escape to America. His parents are disappeared. In America, he's taken in by his Uncle and the Larks, a prominent family of Guelisten.

September, 11 2001: Javier Landes watches from his apartment as New York City is attacked by terrorists. He is traumatized by the event as well as a promise that was never kept. As one of NYC's top paid escorts, Jav has never wanted for anything. But in the wake of 9/11, he discovers he has a orphaned nephew in Guelisten who needs him.

Jav, Alex and Valerie cross paths in their twenties and feel the sparks of attraction. Val even spends time with Jav as a paid client for some time. But as Val and Alex become even closer and eventually marry, their reunion at 40 is full of suppressed emotions and sexual chemistry. They have all been shaped by their trauma and find that it brings them closer to each other than they ever could have dreamed.

I loved these three. They made me so happy when they were together. Jav spends a good portion of the book trying to come to terms with his sexuality, and eventually does come out as bisexual. His relationship with Val and Alex separately and together was just lovely. I fell so completely in love with these guys. The only thing I wish had been more of an option is polyamory. Monogamy is not for everyone, and that's all I am going to say without going into spoiler territory.

Seeing Jav, Alex and Val at 20 and then reunite again with kids to take care of was so magical. I already knew how much I loved them and then seeing them pushed back together was like coming home. There's so much in this book that I don't have the words to describe, but damn this was just amazing. I felt every emotion you could think of in the course of reading this book, but damn it was so worth it.

I did not realize this was a series. I think I have an idea about who Jude may be in book 3, but I can't wait to get there and find out for real.

This is without a doubt one of the best reads of the year - and I am certain this book will stay with me. I was attracted by the cover and title, so I dove into this without any knowledge of what I was getting myself into, and boy has it been a wild ride. There is so much going on in this book right from the start, but Suanne Laqueur does a wonderful job of not making it seem overwhelming. I took my time with this book because it was just so beautiful and I wanted to savour it.

This book has it all - amazing writing, great characters and great story development, as well as depth. The way the lives of the characters intertwine and how beautifully all loose ends are tied up is just *chef's kiss*. The book explores sexuality like none other I have read, as well as the different ways 9/11 had a strong impact on people's lives. It's a rollercoaster of love, joy, loss and family, and I am so glad I picked up "An Exaltation of Larks"

The is a deep, gut-wrenching tale of love and all that it means. Family your born with, family you make, lust, companionship, learning to expect nothing in return, and the deep burning gashes of a love swept away.
<i> "The people who should've kept you safe put you in danger. The ones who should've known and loved you threw you away. I don't understand how because you're so good." </i>
I was shocked at the level of depth put into the characters and their feelings. They felt like real people with profound moments and vulnerabilities. I nearly cried my eyes out and wanted desperately to hug Alex and Javi. Or as I call them my sad boys.
After reading the first part I was red eyed and in desperate need of more Kleenex. But as the book progressed and I felt the plot (much like life) reach a stagnant rhythm by comparison. A big part of it was that I very much fell in love with Javi. A tormented, lonely Adonis of a Latino lost in a haze of darkness and sex. Unfortunately for me this book was about more than Javi. And we journey with other characters like Val as they find happiness. Because I was so invested in Javi that it made it card to care about other characters like Dean and Val who were basically average American girls with no dire problems unlike the tortured soul of my Latino Adonis Javi. By the end of this book I was nothing put a pile of scab wounds longing for Javi's happiness which seemed forever out of reach. I give this book top marks for making me cry and feel so very much, but I will forever hold qualms and frustration over the long years of loneliness of my #1 sad boy, Javi.

An Exaltation of Larks is a stunning story of love, loss, pain and grief. Laqueur has written compelling characters exploring the whole spectrum of human life and emotion. This story will undoubtedly stay with you and should absolutely be read by everyone.

Thank you Net Galley, for sending me this book to review.

Augusto Pinochet’s military forces took control of Chile on September 11, 1973. The tortures and the deaths which followed have been concisely explained by way of an ‘Author’s Note.’
The novel begins on an ominous note a month later, October 1973, in Santiago where there is a frantic ringing of the doorbell at 3 a.m. Alejo, the eleven-year old protagonist, is sanguine because his father has told him that friends ring doorbells, ‘soldiers bang with their fists.’ His optimism is destroyed when his pregnant mother, disappears is never seen again. His father’s wonderful bookshop has been torched and nothing is known of his whereabouts. After hiding in a closet for five days, the boy methodically puts his things together—his birth certificate, his passport and especially an Albacete dagger, his father used as a paperweight. His father, like a deus ex machina arrives and takes him to the American embassy to send him to safety to his brother, Felipe, who is in the USA. Here, he is adopted by the ‘Lark’ family, where he develops a special relationship with Val Lark.
Father and son play a game where Alejo names an animal and the father provides him with the collective noun. Hence, the title, as exhalation is the collective noun for a flight of larks. Laquer provides three meanings of ‘exaltation’ all of which resonate in the novel.

The novel suddenly moves to July 1979 and the location changes to Queens, where we are introduced to Javier Gil deSoto and his extended family. After drinking a potent and inebriating drink, Mamajuana, Javi and his cousin, Nesto, start fooling around; before they known it, they are kissing each other passionately and are surprised by their uncle Miguel. Javi is cast off by his own family and has to make his way in the world on his own. Thanks to his mentor Gloria, Javi becomes one of the most sought after male escorts in New York.

Laquer brings these two strands together and skillfully weaves them together in an effortless manner. The lives of her characters separate and cross like a mosaic or a graceful dance. They influence each other and with the ups and downs in their relationships they embark on an emotional roller-coaster ride. The novel is a great read; my only objection is that sometimes the use of coincidence is overdone and this gives it a sense of implausibility.

I wanted to love this because of the subject matter.. An 11 year old escaping from Chile during Pinochet coup without his father, into an unknown country was fascinating. But the amount dedicated to that storyline is not satisfyingI the first 1/3rd of the book is really engrossing, it then drags like lead, NEVER getting to a big climax. I loved the character so Alex and Jav, but they’re weighed down by other characters and a lot of filler scenes from a to b.. There are too many chapters, too many POVs popping up, too many scenes of just the story moving along. A lot of patiently waiting for the exciting scenes, then not. I couldn’t finish the last part. The author needs a good editor.

Thank you so much to net galley for sending me a copy of this book. I was excited to read it and was not disappointed. I would recommend this book to all people but especially fans of Matthew quick