My Review: Long Way Down (Calloway Sisters #4) by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Long Way Down by Krista Ritchie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading this book took a lot longer than I expected. And it has nothing to do with the quality because good heavens, Krista & Becca Ritchie sure know how to pull on my heartstrings! It has more to do with the fact that it was just so heart-wrenching that I had to take a breather after almost every single chapter! I just could not believe how much Ryke and Daisy were suffering and it seemed like one bad thing after another just kept piling up on top of them. For every good day or good moment, they were given a moment twice as bad and my heart just ached so much for the both of them. It sucks for me because I'm going through a very tough and emotional time in my personal life as I'm reading this book, so I was literally crying after every other chapter. I almost couldn't bear seeing Ryke or Daisy go through any more crap and the whole time I kept wondering if it would ever end! I wanted so badly to just reach out and hold them both and tell them that everything will be alright! I kept hoping against all odds that they would finally get their happily ever after.

I've loved Daisy and Ryke from the beginning but this book made me love Daisy even more. Her strength, perseverance, and selfless attitude is truly amazing even in the face of adversity!! She gives hope even when it feels like all hope is lost and I think Daisy's mom, Samantha, truly nailed it in her "public apology" (one of my favorite parts and absolute highlights in this book) about why Daisy and Ryke just fit together. They are made for each other. I don't believe anyone else can understand Ryke more than Daisy and vice versa.

And I just love, love, LOVE how Daisy keeps on going! After finding out how traumatized she was in Hothouse Flower and how it affected her everyday life, I can't help but feel angry that she never seems to catch a break. She's been treated like an object instead of a person since she was 14 years old, the people she considered her best friends betrayed her, the actions of complete strangers towards her completely screwed up her sense of security, and her whole life she's always felt left out because of the age gap between her and her older sisters. She was completely and utterly alone until she met Ryke! Then we're hit with more bad news towards the end of Fuel the Fire, and midway through Long Way Down I seriously wanted to just scream out loud!!! For Daisy. For Ryke. For everything that just keeps going wrong, I wanted to make right. Without spoiling anything for anyone who hasn't read the story, I can say that I am completely satisfied with how the book ended. My heart still hurts, but I'm left happy and excited, and definitely looking forward to the epilogue book, Some Kind of Perfect, and the Like Us series. And holy crap the epilogue in Long Way Down!

With Long Way Down being the last (er, next to the last) book in the Addicted series, it feels like it's marking the end of an era. I've been following this series ever since before Addicted for Now was released and the core six characters feel like my lifelong friends. Now, we also have Willow and Garrison added to the mix and I can't wait to read more about them in Krista & Becca's web series, Whatever It Takes!

I love that Krista & Becca tackled the issue of addiction with Lily and Lo's story, then gender equality and media bias (among lots of other issues) with Rose and Connor, and now depression and PTSD with Ryke and Daisy. Krista & Becca Ritchie will forever be my heroes for being true to themselves, being down to earth and such a pleasure to talk to, and for always, always writing what's in their heart. They will remain my #1 favorites and I will read anything and everything they write!


======= INITIAL REACTION: APRIL 30, 2014 =======

Oh god oh god oh god!!!





-------------------
My Reviews On:
Addicted to You (Fan Made Book Trailer)
Ricochet
Addicted for Now
Kiss the Sky (Fan Made Princesses of Philly Commercial)
Hothouse Flower (Fan Made Book Trailer)
Thrive
Addicted After All
Fuel the Fire

Check out the Addicted Series Trailer
My own Fan Made Videos

View all my reviews

Fan Page: 2 Year Blogiversary

It's hard to believe that it's been 2 years since I started this Fan Page blog in honor of my crazy obsession infatuation addiction to the Addicted Series by Krista & Becca Ritchie.

As you may know, the (almost) last book of the series, Long Way Down , just released a few days ago.  I am so incredibly proud of Krista & Becca Ritchie for reaching this huge milestone and cannot thank them enough for bringing Lily, Lo, Rose, Connor, Daisy, Ryke and Willow and Garrison into our lives and sharing their story with us.  I am completely amazed at how much these books have come to mean to some people and we now have a pretty big group (Fizzle Force) to fangirl with!

Over the past couple of years, I've met some pretty incredible people and have made lifelong friends who share the same love and passion for this series and for many other unforgettable stories and books out there.  It's all thanks to Krista & Becca and their wonderful books!

Krista & Becca have set the standard for down-to-earth, approachable, and laid back authors for me that I always find myself comparing every single author I meet to them.  They are two of the most lovable people I've met and I constantly thank my lucky stars to have met them and to have them in my life!  To (semi) quote Lily -- I'm certain that in every alternate universe, I'm always, always in love with them and their books.

Okay, so enough sappy stuff from me.  Time for the fun part!

We can't have a proper celebration without a giveaway!

Here are the prizes:

★ 1 winner will get a complete signed set of the Addicted/Calloway Sisters Series, including Long Way Down, AND Amour Amour.
★ 1 winner will get a Fizzle Force floating locket
★ 1 winner will get an Addicted-Series-Inspired T-shirt of their choice
★ 1 winner will get a Fizzle Force button, assorted stickers, plus the hardcover set of Kasie West's Pivot Point duology (I know.  This isn't Addicted-series related, but I heard Krista likes Kasie West's books and I just happened to have this set :) )

Get a closer look at all the merch here:

Fizzle Force Floating Locket

T-shirt selection:

✿ ✿ TWO-YEAR BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY ✿ ✿ 

Open Internationally

Void where prohibited by law

4 Winners

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day + Day 5: Long Way Down Blog Tour

YOU GUYS!!!!!!  IT'S HERE!!!!!!!  LONG WAY DOWN IS FINALLY HERE!!!!  Actually, in case you missed all the excitement (like I did), the book released early last night.  It took only 1 hour after Krista & Becca hit publish before it went live on Amazon!

Available for purchase: Amazon | Amazon UK | iBooks

SO GET YOURS NOW!!!  (If you haven't already)

Today is also Day 5 (the final day) of the Long Way Down Blog Tour.  There are still more fun stops in store for us so be sure to check them out!

The Readdicts - Top Ten List with Ryke & Daisy
Feeding My Addiction Book Reviews - Cooking Class with Ryke & Daisy
A Literary Perusal - Coconut & Sadie "Character" Profiles
Book Breath Babe - Text Message Convo: Ryke to Daisy
Smokin' Hot Book Blog - Text Message Convo: Daisy to Lily
Way Too Hot Books - Text Message Convo: Group Text
Airy Reads - Character Interview: Willow & Garrison
These Flying Pages - Author Interview
Maine Book Momma - Author Interview
A Bookaholic Blog - Teaser Poster #3
Book Babes Unite - Excerpt #5
Between Order And Randomness  - Excerpt #5

If you missed any of the previous days, you can catch up by visiting Krista & Becca Ritchie's blog

to view the entire schedule!   You can also enter the tour GIVEAWAY at any of the blog tour stops for your chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card & signed paperback of Long Way Down !

Also, don't forget to check out these other awesome giveaways!

❀ Two Truths & A Lie ➜ http://bit.ly/1l4bFMN
❀ Tumblr Giveaway ➜ http://bit.ly/1Synwxt
❀ Addicted Series Signed Set Giveaway ➜ http://tinyurl.com/pw4amza

Day 4: Long Way Down Blog Tour

Holy Hale and Calloway!  It's Thursday!  Do you know what that means?!  That means tomorrow is Friday (obviously), but more importantly, tomorrow is November 20th!!!  The long awaited RELEASE DAY of the highly anticipated book, LONG WAY DOWN!!

I don't think I'll get any sleep tonight at all.  I can hardly believe it!!  To bide our time till the book release, we've got more fun stuff to look forward to in today's blog tour stops!

i*Heart*BigBooks (and i cannot lie...) - Newlywed Game: Friends Edition #1
Bookish Bluebird - Newlywed Game: Friends Edition #2
Teacups & Book Love - Instagram Challenge with Ryke & Daisy
Deadly Darlings - Thanksgiving with The Addicted Characters
Valley of the Book Doll - If the Addicted Characters Owned a Time Machine
Reviews by Tammy and Kim - Text Message Convo: Ryke to Connor
A is for Alpha B is for Books - Text Message Convo: Daisy to Lo
Two Sisters Bloggin' - Author Interview
R&W Entertainment - Excerpt #4
I Love Book Love - Excerpt #4
Four Chicks Flipping Pages - Excerpt #4
Blog of Books - Excerpt #4  

You can view the entire schedule at Krista & Becca Ritchie's blog.

Also don't forget, there are lots of giveaways happening now!

  

You can enter the tour GIVEAWAY at any of the blog tour stops for your chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card & signed paperback of Long Way Down !

Plus, here are more amazing giveaways:

❀ Two Truths & A Lie ➜ http://bit.ly/1l4bFMN
❀ Match That Quote ➜ http://on.fb.me/1S0a19S
❀ Tumblr Giveaway ➜ http://bit.ly/1Synwxt
❀ Addicted Series Signed Set Giveaway ➜ http://tinyurl.com/pw4amza

Day 3: Long Way Down Blog Tour

Today is day 3 of the super fun Long Way Down Blog Tour hosted by Krista & Becca Ritchie!  Each day brings us closer to release day and each day is action-packed full of bonus material in every tour stop!

Little Pieces of Imagination - Ryke & Daisy Solving a Crossword Puzzle
Foxy Blogs - Addicted Characters' Notes to Future Selves
Lily's Book Blog - The Addicted Characters and Harry Potter Classes
Written Revelry - Text Message Convo: Ryke to Rose
NightOwl Reader - Text Message Convo: Daisy to Connor
After Dark Book Lovers - Character Interview
The Dirty Book Girls Blog - Author Interview
Jacqueline's Reads - Author Interview
Unofficial Book Club - Teaser Poster #2
Silly, Sexy, Sassy and Occasionally Classy - Excerpt #3
3 Fictional Hearts - Excerpt #3
Reading Is Sexy - Excerpt #3

You can view the entire schedule at Krista & Becca Ritchie's blog.

Enter the tour GIVEAWAY at any of the blog tour stops for your chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card & signed paperback of Long Way Down !

Here are more amazing giveaways happening right now:

❀ Two Truths & A Lie ➜ http://bit.ly/1l4bFMN
❀ Match That Quote ➜ http://on.fb.me/1S0a19S
❀ Tumblr Giveaway ➜ http://bit.ly/1Synwxt

Day 2: Long Way Down Blog Tour

Today is day 2 of the Long Way Down Blog Tour.  Today's tour stops are listed below:

Jennerally Speaking... - Long Way Down Playlist
Calloway Books - Cards Against Humanity with Ryke & Daisy
Hollywood News Source - Traveling Board Game
Shakespeare-and-Company - Text Message Convo: Ryke to Lily
The Reading Escapade - Text Message Convo: Daisy to Ryke
Second Bite Book Reviews - The Addicted Characters as Avengers
Anna's Book Blog - Lady Gaga Songs that Represent the Addicted Characters
Booklovers For Life - Author Interview
Words With Sarah - Author Interview
Rachel Reads Ravenously - Excerpt #2
Kitty Kats Crazy About Books - Excerpt #2
Fictive Daydream: Lover of All Things Fiction - Excerpt #2

You can view the entire schedule at Krista & Becca Ritchie's blog.

Also, KBR Fangirls on Goodreads is having a "2 Truths and a Lie" game.  This game will be going on for 5 days (starting yesterday) so be sure to join all the fun!!

Long Way Down Blog Tour: Guest Post -- What High School Class Would the Addicted Characters Teach?

Hello Fizzle Force!  Hello world!  Today is the first day of the Long Way Down blog tour!  And boy, do Krista & Becca have so many wonderful things in store for you!  Day 1 of the blog tour kicks off with the following stops:

Little Book Heaven - Ryke's Top 5 Places He's Traveled To
Reign of Books - Adventure Day With Ryke and Daisy
Addicted Series Fan Page - What High School Class Would the Addicted Characters Teach?
Smart & Savvy with Stephanie - Text Message Convo: Ryke to Lo
Kimberlyfaye Reads - Text Message Convo: Daisy to Rose
Musings of Book-a-holic Fairies / Aholically Aholic - Character Interview: Coconut
Fizzle Reads - Character Interview: Connor Cobalt
Bookobsessions - Author Interview
Christy's Love of Books - Author Interview
Mybookworld - Teaser Poster #1
BookWorm221 - Excerpt #1
2 Girls & Their Kindles - Excerpt #1

You can view and follow the entire schedule here: TOUR SCHEDULE

In the Fizzle Force fandom, we're always so interested in the alternate universe because of the endless possibilities and outcomes.  In this guest post, Krista & Becca fulfill one of those different possibilities by giving us a glimpse of the Addicted characters' life in an alternate universe.  

The Addicted characters are vastly different. In an alternate universe, we’re putting them in high school as teachers. Not all of them have the necessary qualifications to be hired as a teacher—but in this alternate universe they’d all end up with a job. Here’s what class they’d teach and how their students would do.

LILY CALLOWAY

Lily graduated from Princeton with a degree in Economics. School was a long, hard process for her that never really got any easier. As a sex addict, she’d stay as far away from health class as she could get—not wanting to constantly blush all day. She’d want to teach something non-stressful and fun, so she’d pick Home Economics. She’s not the best cook, so her lessons would be on the simple side, and she’d be all about the sewing of pillows. Pillow week!!

 

Class: Home Economics

Outcome: It would be a highly sought after class, one that fills up very quickly, since Lily would have a reputation of giving mostly A’s. Plus, it’s Home Ec. And secretly, Lily would be trying to spot the couples in the room, predicting who would get with who by the end of the year. She would probably even try to slyly push them together.

LOREN HALE

Loren Hale flunked out of college and spent most of prep school in a state of apathy. A part of the reason he passed his classes was because of his social status (his dad pulling strings). So it’s no surprise that Loren Hale as teacher is…well, frightening to think about. The only class he’d feel qualified to teach is health. He knows sex, and he would think he could explain it in a pretty blunt manner, and he’d make sure everyone took the concept of safe sex very, very seriously. 

  

Class: Health

Outcome: Girls would try to get in his class because he’d be great to stare at. The guys would be highly intimidated by him and Loren would have a reputation of giving lots of detention for not paying attention or screwing off.

DAISY CALLOWAY

Daisy never really loved school, and she didn’t even consider going to college. Her time in prep school was interrupted most months by modeling, so she never loved one subject. Also, the most carefree of the Addicted gang would hate to have to grade anyone on anything. But she’d be drawn to the Drama class. It’s lively and fun and people wouldn’t have to sit in desks all day long.

Class: Drama

Outcome: Since Daisy has supermodel good looks, many guys uninterested in Drama would opt to take it as their elective just to “flirt” with her. She wouldn’t put up with it, and so she’d play favorites with all the girls in the class. Overall, her class would be known for being one of the most fun classes in the school.

RYKE MEADOWS

He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Journalism degree. He was a well-rounded student in prep school with high grades and medals in Track & Field. There would be a few classes Ryke would be interested in: Italian, Spanish, American Literature, and PE. He would scratch off American Literature because of the required reading for the state, wanting to choose his own books. And he’d scratch off PE because he’d hate the social dynamics he’d have to watch everyday in class.  

Class: Italian & Spanish

Outcome: Most everyone would try to take his class for the “f” bombs that he throws out at random moments. Ryke would get called to the principal a lot and be reprimanded for his cursing. In the end, his students would be too distracted by his swearing, good looks, and frustrated, impatient scowls to learn much of anything. Ryke would be fed up with most of the students and just be glad for the day to end.

 

ROSE CALLOWAY

Rose loves school. She thrived there. She graduated from Princeton with a degree in Economics and French, and she’s a certified genius. Narrowing down her class would take hours. Her top 3 choices would be British Literature, Home Economics (for the sewing) and French. In the end, she’d choose with her heart and pick British Lit. It’s filled with her favorites: Shakespeare, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, the Bronte sisters and more.

Class: British Literature

Outcome: Her class would be known for being excruciatingly tough. The only students who would want to get in her class are the ones who already love British Lit. Otherwise, people would hate it. Failing students would be one of Roses specialties. She would take no prisoners.

CONNOR COBALT

Connor is also a certified genius. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in Economics, International Studies, and Political Science. He entered the Addicted series as Lily’s tutor, and his tutoring skills are out-of-this-world. Naturally, he’d be a brilliant choice for Economics or US Government. He’s also a polyglot, fluent in multiple languages including Spanish, Italian, French, and German. His love for literature is endless, and he can solve math equations faster than you can think. But in the end, he’d choose World History. Because Connor values knowledge above most things.

Class: World History

Outcome: It would be known for being difficult, but students would learn a lot in his class and retain most of the information he taught. Connor would have a reputation of being one of the best teachers in the school. The ambitious students would pray to end up in his class because they end up doing amazingly well on AP exams. His students would also feel inspired by to become History majors in college.

I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did!  November 20th will be here before we know it!  Until then, be sure to follow the blog tour for more bonus material.  Speaking of bonus material, stay tuned!  There's also a giveaway at the end of this post!

Title: Long Way Down

Authors: Krista & Becca Ritchie

Series: Calloway Sisters #4

Pub Date: November 20^th, 2015

Amazon: Purchase links not available until November 20^th  

With a seven-year age difference, Ryke & Daisy have faced an uphill battle in the eyes of the world and their families. Known as the most adventurous, fast-paced couple — their next step has always been elusive to the rabid media.

Behind the scenes, heartbreaking troubles continue to test Ryke & Daisy’s resilience and shape their future together.

They promise:

To never slow down.
To never compromise who they are.
To never abandon their love for each other.

But preserving their happiness also means adding more risks. Ones that Connor Cobalt wouldn’t even take. As a professional free-solo climber, Ryke is no stranger to risk, but his next step with Daisy wagers more than just his health.

With their lives on the line, Ryke & Daisy head towards the vast, wild unknown in this epic final conclusion to the Addicted series. 

 

Krista & Becca Ritchie are New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors and identical twins—one a science nerd, the other a comic book geek—but with their shared passion for writing, they combined their mental powers as kids and have never stopped telling stories. Now in their early twenties, they write about other twenty-somethings navigating through life, college, and romance. They love superheroes, flawed characters, and soul mate love.

5 - $20 Amazon Gift Cards

3 - Signed Paperbacks of LONG WAY DOWN

Both giveaways are open internationally!

a Rafflecopter giveaway