Review: Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle

Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle

Blurb from Goodreads:

A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can't get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.

It's not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma's name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go even when you know you have to say goodbye.

My Review:
So I don't think I even read the description of this book before reading it, which is not an unusual when it comes to an author I've read and loved before.  Such is the case with Karina Halle -- I really liked her Artists Trilogy, and last year I read and loved Love, In English.  Little did I know, however, that Where Sea Meets Sky is a spin-off of Love, In English in that it's about Vera's brother, Josh.  I am generally not a fan when an author feels they have to write a book about every secondary character in a popular book.  I know we all know examples of this.  That being said, Where Sea Meets Sky was unique and I liked it a lot if for not better reason than its setting!!

The book follow Josh's journey to New Zealand, which admittedly starts out because of Gemma, but becomes cathartic as most extended trips we take in our twenties can be -- especially to somewhere new, across the world from our home.  Gemma was a bit annoying at times because she was so closed off and made bad decisions in not trusting herself.  The ending also disappointed me but I absolutely loved the journey through New Zealand and the descriptions of the country. I want to visit so much!!!

I would recommend this to NA fans, and to fans of the books set in New Zealand.  I also have to recommend one of my favorite contemporary series in that vein because it is also set in New Zealand -- the Escape to New Zealand series by Rosalind James.  It is really good! Where Sea Meets Sky comes out tomorrow, March 31, 2015, and you can purchase HERE!

The envy I'm feeling at this moment is incomparable.  It sickens me, straight into my bones, and I hold my breath, trying to ignore and listen at the same time.  I've touched her before, felt her skin beneath mine; I've seen her eyes roll back in her head because of something I gave her.  I felt that sexual, feverish frenzy that enslaved us both.