A new edition of the 2020 SPARK Honor Award Winner for excellence in non-traditional publishing for older readers, in the Novel category, I WISH MY WORDS TASTED BETTER is 82k words, most of them delicious. Impetuous Sofi, a sarcastic seventeen-year-old military brat is on a Road To Redemption Tour. Her best friend Shelley has mapped out their adventure, knowing Alex, who's frustrated by his attraction to Sofi despite her past indiscretions, is key to Sofi's journey. After a bumpy start, friendship switches gears fueled by witty banter on the dance floor and lacrosse field. On a semester abroad in England, Sofi takes a dangerous detour. An exciting sting and upbeat playlist enhance this fast-paced, fun-filled, meet-cute adventure.
Reviews
MH
Great read for all ages
Kris is an amazing writer/storyteller who creates characters that immediately draw you in and make you want to go on their journey. There is a sophistication to her young adult fiction that makes her books a must read for all ages.
Glenda Hawkinson
Great Young Adult Novel
Kris Abel-Helwig has continued her writing prowess in the second book of her Heroes series, by upping her game with
I Wish My Words Tasted Better.
Fade to Black & White, Heroes Series Book One, was a great debut but this companion title raises the bar. It focuses on shiny, pink & sparkly Sofi Halsted, younger sister of lacrosse legend Jason from Book One, as she rockets through the last two years of her high school experience. The characters are three-dimensional and relatable, each with moments of angst, failures, flaws, caring, silliness and resilience.
Kris weaves the story line with great care including pairing a song that serves as a counterpart to each chapter. The playlist is perfect for detailing the emotions of the story, plus dancing, more dancing & road trips (It’s available on Spotify - access details included in the book). I enjoyed her use of realistic teenage sarcasm, quick wit and puns in the narrative as well as her weaving subtle variations of the interesting title throughout. Her description of school life via academics, athletics, volunteerism and social activities allows readers to be absorbed into the highs & lows of high school culture. Her inclusion of Shakespearean quotes and students using the school library was also a brilliant strategy (at least in the opinion of this retired school librarian;)
I Wish My Words Tasted Better offered me emotional connections with the characters. I laughed out loud, cried tears of loss and felt the nerves of excitement, fear, tension and the stress of next steps for the friends I had made. Read this novel and be uplifted! Enjoy!
Glenda, Retired High School Librarian
Kristine Keil
This book is a great follow up to book 1, and it's nice to pick up right where book 1 leaves off with the same loveable characters. A must read that will take you back to high school!