Pre-Read: I didn't like Schumacher's debut, but goddammit I wanna read a book about band kids and cry.

Reasons to read this book:
-- An ambitious, smart heroine who likes to wear Christmas socks. She is also trying to find out how to be a good daughter but also start becoming a more self dependent person.
-- A romantic hero that is misunderstood because no one gets a chance to know him.
-- An annoying little sister that saves the day.
-- An emotional twist that will leave you reeling.
Also, I listened to this on audio and it was very good.

It was genuinely not possible for me to write this review last night when I finished the book, as I was so BEYOND for the last 75-100 pages! Ms. Schumacher immediately moves into my Top Ten YA Authors and this book rockets to the top of my recommendations list. This review is seriously a catharthis...so read at your own peril!

As mentioned in my update, I was crying after very few pages and, as I read more of the perfectly-tuned story and learned to know and love the characters of Wes and Anna, I realized that my own story was being unearthed. I didn't know that I had depression when I was in high school, but I know now that this is the name for what I experienced then and that I manage now. But, just like Anna, I was the cheerful girl. I painted on my smile and I laughed with my friends and I genuinely enjoyed myself...I mean, I loved high school and I cried at graduation. But "the shadows," as Anna refers to them, were always with me. And the description of the sleep issues...like the tide bringing in thoughts and memories and replaying the day...my gawd. THAT is what it's like. (Of course, LAST night, it was about this book, which I'm totally okay with.)

Anna's relationship with Wes is equally reminiscent of one I had, too. He was different. He was/is amazing. He may have loved me as Wes did Anna, but I was much too unable to see my worth in those days. It would have been the farthest thing from my mind that someone could "fall" for me or find me "crushable." I was not that girl, ya know? So, I think a good portion of my tears were for me, not for the story.

The story was achingly beautiful, though...like, I was completely there, in Enfield, feeling like a member of the band, wanting the duet to be perfect, knowing Wes and Anna were good for each other. And, the acknowledgement of the music belonging to someone the author knew also wrecked me. Like, who cries at the Acknowledgements???

Just a remarkable, gut-wrenching, lovely lovely book. I will remember it always and reread it soon.

As I sit here writing this review, my nose is stuffy and my eyes are red because I’ve been bawling. This book made me Feel so much.

I feel like that is a good enough review for now.

Thank you to St Martin's Press for providing me with an arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

This was a lovely story. Full Flight is a story about your first love, and I enjoyed reading it. As a once upon a time concert and jazz band kid (performing arts school vibes), I liked how music was incorporated into the story. I could definitely relate to that aspect of life and although I never did marching band myself I know how tight-knit those communities are.

Sometimes I felt as though the romance between Weston and Anna moved a little bit too quickly. But, I think that's because they are teenagers and so I can't really discredit or criticize that area of the book since that was probably the intention. I cannot say I expected the book to end the way it did (I was definitely caught off-guard), and I was heartbroken while reading it. The writing was lovely and beautiful, and I would definitely recommend if you like YA romance novels (and wish to cry).

Heartbreakingly heartwarming. Full Flight tells the story of young adults looking for friendship, love, and a way to find and be their true selves. Weston Ryan is standoffish; Anna James is outgoing and eccentric. When Anna knows she has to work harder than anyone else to keep her part of the duet she was awarded, she seeks out Weston, the other half of the duet, to help her polish her part. What ensues during their practices is a hesitant friendship that may challenge both of them to open their hearts and minds to the possibility of friendship, and maybe more.

I don't want to say anymore to give away any of this powerfully symbolic tale of friendship and love, and how love can be life changing. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. I can't recommend this one enough.

First- I read and loved Schumacher's YA debut

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review through @NetGalley. I really enjoyed this book and I am a big fan of this author! I read her first book "Amelia Unabridged" through NetGalley as well.

This was a wonderful story about two high schoolers who seem very different on the outside, are really not all that different. One is a high achiever, one is misunderstood. They decide to work on a duet for band and their lives are changed. It was about young love and struggles and just wanting to be with your person.

I really enjoyed the intermingling of a story of birds who were thought to be almost extinct who sing a duet. Only one bird was found and it was missing the other half of its duet when it sang. It was a really neat spin on this book and a fun way to weave their story together.

I had a little bit of a hard time getting through the middle of the book, but that was not due to the story, just my lack of being able to stay awake at bedtime to read. Overall, I can't wait for more from this author! Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book!

Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher does it again. I loved her debut book, and this sophomore release is even better. I fell in love with Anna and Weston in this double point of view YA novel. Ashley writes raw emotions into her novels, so be prepared to contemplate real-life issues. This book is beautiful, but you have been warned this will leave you with a heavy heart - this is not a happy book.

I highly recommend reading both of her books because Ashley has a gift of words. Thank you for sharing them with us, Ashley.

Thank you, Wednesday Books, for my ALC for this honest review.