The Trouble With Paper Planes by Amanda Dick

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I’ve always believed in what I can see, what I can hear and what I can touch. Surfing was my religion and destiny was just a fairy-tale. But one summer, over ten days during the hottest February on record, all that changed. I found hope – the kind of hope that sustains you, even when you don’t want to be sustained.

The night Emily disappeared, I was branded. She became the girl on the ‘missing’ posters, and I became the one trying to keep everyone from falling apart. I thought that somehow it would keep me from being devoured by the emptiness inside me. Five years later, I was beginning to appreciate how deluded I really was.
Then Maia showed up. New in town, with a past as mysterious as she was, she reminded me so much of Emily that I couldn’t stand to be anywhere near her. What I didn’t realise was that there were forces at play that neither of us could possibly understand.
It takes a determined soul to alter destiny. There is a loophole, a back door, and the events that unfolded during those ten days showed me how that loophole can change everything.
Do you believe in fate? If so, let me tell you my story. If not, what happened to me might change your mind.

5 stars*****

One thing I'd like to point out about this book straight out of the gate is that it offers a very unconventional ending that some will find beautiful but others may find frustrating. It all depends on what kind of reader you are and whether you like stories that fall outside the norm.  I also think this book will appeal mostly to those who believe strongly in soul mates, fate and destiny. This is not your standard run of the mill romance that follows the same 'ole formula of so many books. This is a slow moving yet heart-wrenching story, beautifully written and offers a very unique and life pondering ending.

Heath is stuck in limbo because the love of his life simply disappeared years ago. A girl named Maia pops into town one day and she looks mysteriously similar to his missing love. He tries to stay away from her but feels a strong connection to her that is hard to explain. Maia doesn't remember who she is... is she Emily?? You'll have to read to find out. :)
Earlier this year I read another book by this author called Absolution and I was floored by her talent for tapping into my emotions and also challenging them. One thing I like about her is that she is not afraid to challenge herself as a writer or my emotions, whether I want them challenged or not! :) The ending of this book is tough to swallow... but, it is a powerful one that will have you reaching for your hanky! Does it have an HEA?? Well, that all depends on how you look at life I suppose. Some will say yes and others will be beating their fists against the table screaming Why? Why? Why? But, that's real life isn't it? We don't always get the cookie cutter HEA ending. Sometimes it has to hurt a little.

I loved it... and will always go into a book by this author expecting something I've never read before.

ARC was provided in exchange for my honest feedback

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Amanda Dick is a night-owl, coffee addict, movie buff and music lover. She loves to do DIY (if it's not bolted down, she'll probably paint it, re-cover it or otherwise decorate it) and has tried almost every craft known to man/womankind. She has two sewing machines and an over-locker she can't remember how to thread. She crochets (but can't follow a pattern), knits (badly) and refrains from both as a public service.
She believes in love at first sight, in women's intuition and in following your heart. She is rather partial to dark chocolate and believes in the power of a good vanilla latte.
What lights her fire is writing stories about real people in trying situations. Her passion is finding characters who are forced to test their boundaries. She is insanely curious about how we, as human beings, react when pushed to the edge. Most of all, she enjoys writing about human behaviour - love, loss, joy, grief, friendship and the complexity of relationships in general.
After living in Scotland for five years, she has now settled back home in New Zealand, where she lives with her husband and two children.