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Kissing the Sky by Lisa Patton

"A coming-of-age story where Suzanna runs off to Woodstock with her best friend, Livy and learns about life, love and the Lord. The big reveals hit hard but they all happened very late into the story. Suzannah's shock at the freedom of Woodstock started to get old and she and Livy's constant cattiness was ridiculous. This one was almost a DNF." 

⭐️⭐️

Pros: It had its moments where Suzannah really came into her own/The research into Woodstock was impressive, though became tedious in the end/The reveals all packed quite a punch. 

Cons: It's only explained very far into the book as to how Suzannah manages to run off with Lily to Woodstock when her Father watches her every move/Both Livy and Suzannah could be annoying, petty, childish, selfish and immature/It went on for far longer than necessary. 

Full Review: 

Suzannah Withers is attending the 50th year anniversary of Woodstock with her grand-daugther. Who's just at the cusp of college and all that life has to offer. It's going to be a special weekend, full of memories and stories. We soon learn of when Suzannah was in her early 20s and did the most rebellious thing of her life. 

She went to Woodstock. 

It's 1969 and Suzannah is just trying to get through her Summer working in the lingerie department of Goldsmith's Department Store, surviving the days until College as best she can. When her ex-best friend, Livy Foster suddenly reappears and inserts herself back into Suzannah's life, well, Suzannah's all over the place with her emotions. 

Livy was instrumental in the most awful day of Suzannah's life. The biggest betrayal (almost). But it would seem that Livy genuinely wants to try and make things better. She takes Suzannah out to lunch, talks to her about music, though Suzannah has to admit that she's very behind the times. 

Livy is horrified, knowing music was always so important to Suzannah and suddenly insists that she come with her to this out of this world music festival that's happening in a few weeks. 

She knows Suzannah will just love her boyfriend, Nick, and the music will be amazing. At first, Suzannah's torn. Does she dare trust Livy again after what hapepned last time? Or does she let herself be vulnerable, open to the idea of something new? 

It's soon decided for her and Suzannah finds herself in Livy's car, bag packed and headed to Bethel, New York to attend a concert. She's going to Woodstock. 

She, of course, learns all new things about life, Livy, and herself while attending this life-affirming festival. It was a coming-of-age story but I think because the author wanted to stay true to the history of Woodtstock, all the mention of the bands, it made for rather flat characters. At the festival both girls quickly became rather obnoxious. So much so that there were points where I considered DNFing it because the immaturity and cattiness was unending. 

When Patton decided to reveal something though, she revealed it all in blunt and bold ways. And I liked some of the reveals, others, Suzannah's reaction to them were just, tiring, but she did always manage to catch me off-guard. The reveals didn't happen until 200+ pages. Patton definitely could've revelead more sooner, I think. 

This was a very middle of the road read. It was a case of the pretty cover catching my attention instead of the plot. 

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