I absolutely love the story. You bring the characters to life without them being contrived, as often happens in fanfic. I'm really glad that an update's coming soon.

Thank you for writing :)

It's been so long, I can't remember if I made comments about this chapter in the forums or not. There was so much to love in here, and I'm sorry that anyone's given you shit for Bella's attitude or the angst... I mean, crap! That's what's making this story great! If they wanted happy go lucky fluff, they should search out the smutty lemons. This is where discerning readers come for fic that's above and beyond the book.

And yes, I honestly think this is above and beyond canon.

One of the things I had a problem with in the books is how quickly Bella simply forgave everything that Edward put her through. For a first person book, I felt cheated as a reader for not getting any of the internal processing that should have happened at the end of New Moon. I know some defense of that would be how overly mature Bella seems, and how this is 'true love' after all, but crap, she's still a human teenager. For her not to even vocalize the hell she went through in all those months was the most unrealistic aspect of the whole series.

So thank you for the angst. Thank you for the processing. Thank you for the attitude! God bless you for the attitude!

I'm glad you decided to skip your chapter of telling and decided to show instead. It's so much more satisfying that way.

And ignore those that are giving you shit, please! The long chapters, the angst and the humanity are fantastic.

As for this specific chapter, if there had to be a hiatus, this was a great one to leave us chewing on. There are so many phrases that stayed with me these past weeks - "the hideous splendor of his eyes," "giving him smiles he didn't deserve," "cinnamon strands of hair," and especially her screaming for her dad! It was the perfect bit of levity for such a tense scene! You strike a wonderful balance with your drama and humor!

I was re-reading the entire series last week when I found out about your 10 day deadline. Now I'm all prepped to dive in again! It was also great to re-experience all the brilliant touches laced throughout this story (I also posted a photo of the Sugar Bowl in the forum... I happened to drive by it this weekend).

Thank you again! It's always worth the wait!

Author's Response:

I'm printing out this review and putting it on my fridge.  Seriously.  I was having a cruddy day writing-wise, and after I read this, I wrote two pages without stopping, which for me is a pretty big deal.  It means so much that you get what I'm trying to say and where I'm taking IVO.  I hope the next chapter won't disappoint ;)

I loveeeee this story!!!! You are doing such a wonderful job!!!! Please keep it up =].

I've read a lot of Twilight fanfics but this is the first time I've reviewed one. I usually prefer fanfics that are all human, because usually fanfic Twilight stories that deal with the supernatural just don't seem to compare to the original Twilight books, but this story has been AMAZINGLY GREAT! I can't wait to see what happens next and I love how you portray the characters and how they react to what is happening. Your Bella character is the best part, and I love how you don't make her out to be extremely weak and easily forgiving like in many other fanfics.

I hope you can update soon, and thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful story with us. (I love your chapter end notes, they make me laugh after all the angstyness in the story lol.)

WTF Edward. So not cool.

Oh Edward knows he loves Bella.

When when are they finally going to get together? OH is Jacob going to become a werewolf and push her away and she is going to go to Edward? That sounds amazing!!!!

I liked this chapter.

I am so ready for more Bella/Edward and I absolutely love Alice! :)

Oh no Jake is going to freak!

I have to admit I like reckless in your face Bella and Jake is kind of getting on my nerves. Nothing pisses me off more than a boyfriend or girlfriend telling the other they can't go away to college to better themselves. I about had a rage blackout when I read that.

Oh I love this story.  I don't feel like you'r kill Bella's character at all.  I felt she forgave Edward too quickly in New Moon but it makes even more sense in this story for her to have issues with this because she never knew she had Edward's heart to begin with.

I love the angst.  I love that Bella has some real inner turmoil.  I love that Jacob attacked her because I was honestly waiting for that to happen in the books and it didn't and it bothered me that Jake could be so critical of how "dangers" the vampires were, but not the werewolves.  Total double standard. 

I imagine Jake isn't done trying to win Bella back.  And Edward isn't giving up on her either.  It's interesting though because in the love triangle in the book Bella is obviously in a unit with Edward.  In this case she's mad at both of them.  I really can't wait to see how this pans out.  I know the story hasn't been updated for a couple of months but I do hope you manage an update soon.  You have a fantastic writing prowess and have made this story thoroughly enjoyable.

-meimei

I know I say this at the end of all of the chapers but I do love this story. It is definitely one of the best ones that I have read!

I am very excited!!!

I love that Bella totally talked shit to Lauren. AWESOME!!!!

update!!! please? the suspense is killing me! :)