From Goodreads: It’s a year after 9/11.  Sniper shootings throughout the D.C. area have everyone on edge, trying to make sense of the random acts of violence.  Meanwhile, Craig and Lio are just trying to make sense of their lives.

Craig’s crushing on quiet, distant Lio, and preoccupied with what it meant when Lio kissed him…and if he’ll do it again…and if kissing Lio will help him finally get over his ex-boyfriend, Cody.

Lio feels most alive when he’s with Craig.  He forgets about his broken family, his dead brother, and the messed up world.  But being with Craig means being vulnerable, and Lio will have to decide whether love is worth the risk.

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I received a copy of this novel as part of an ARC tour back in May of 2011, and I must say that this is a truly beautiful novel.  The amount of depth Moskowitz pours into her characters is amazing, and I am in awe of Moskowitz’s sheer writing capabilities.  I read this novel in one sitting; it was that good.  Originally drawn to the novel due to its relation to the Beltway Snipers that ravaged the Maryland/D.C./Virginia areas, I was floored by the intensity of the characters, Craig and Lio, as they struggle to make sense of their tumultuous lives while also dealing with the anxiety of the sniper shootings and remnants of September 11, 2001.  This was a beautiful blend of history and fiction, and Moskowitz stays true to the harrowing events of 2002, adding much strength to this powerful novel.  The vivid descriptions and alternate perspectives of the characters allows the reader to become one with the story, connecting with the events and characters in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are in the story themselves.

I absolutely loved the different perspectives Moskowitz portrays through the voices of Craig and Lio as each chapter alternates between them, giving the reader access to their inner thoughts and feelings through the first person narrative.  Confused and hurting, both Craig and Lio pour out their souls while looking for redemption from their metaphorical ghosts, and they are extremely real, deep characters.  Moskowitz is a superb writer of the male persona, and I was truly inspired by this coming of age novel.  The book is completely character driven as Craig and Lio come to terms with their pasts and future, and I was in love with the novel from the very first page.  This is not an action thriller, but rather an in-depth look at the human psyche, a look into the very soul of humanity, including its triumphs and fears.  It is a superb read, and I highly recommend it.  Five stars.

Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

So, as I stated above, my copy of the novel came as part of an ARC Tour, in which each participant was given a week to read the novel before shipping it off to the next reviewer.  As the reviewers of this copy of GONE, GONE, GONE, our job was to write all over the novel, add photos, drawings, etc., so that when it gets back to Hannah Moskowitz, it’s a highly personalized, beautiful copy that proves its traveled the whole United States.  I was the first to receive the book on the tour (which will extend into April as the book is set to release April 17th), and I had a wonderful time reading Hannah’s musings and adding my own commentary.  I’ve included a few photos below for all to see how truly cool this ARC Tour was!