I have to say it's been a good minute since I've read a book like this. I actually had to put it down at one point because it was a little.. triggering. So I will warn you there is themes of child abuse and SA.
After collecting myself and continue reading on, I wanted nothing more then the MC to succeed. This book is a emotional roller-coaster. The feels are real and hard, and you can't help but get sucked into this story. Our MC is broken, her plans aren't going as plan, and she has to deal with too much of the real world at a young age. But she is resilient, finds her strength and wasn't going to let her plans be detailed that easy.
Overall this book is worth your time and energy. It's a too real look at what so many children, teens and young adults have and, are living with. When I say this triggering, it is; especially if you're someone who has lived life or are still fighting to see the light.
This books gets my super high recommendation and my stamp of approval.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
(If you or someone you know has suffered SA please us the below resources
Canada: https://endingviolencecanada.org/sexual-assault-centres-crisis-lines-and-support-services/
USA: National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673)800.656.HOPE (4673)
Jack is the closest thing to family that I’ve got. I’ve kept naïve classmates and wannabe friends at a distance.
I shuffle on the sidewalk, the rain is falling heavier now, as I see Jack’s house up the street. Warm light radiates from inside. Jack is inside with his mom and dad. I’m sure it smells like heaven in there. We’ve been friends since sixth grade, the day I stuck up for him when the bullies in the lunchroom were making fun of the fresh pink scar on his cheek.
I stand in the rain, remembering that day like yesterday. That day changed everything for me. Plopping myself beside him in the empty seat at his table, I noticed a repulsive, pink, jagged line of healing skin and bruises on his cheek. “What happened to your face?” I believed if you couldn’t stop looking at something, you should acknowledge it instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. The pus-filled scab was hard to ignore. I wondered for a moment if he had a home life like mine.
“I tripped on the ice and hit my sister’s skate blade.” He shrunk in his seat.
The bullies were having a field day coming up with nicknames to describe the cut on his face.
“Does anyone know how it happened?” I whispered.
He shrugged his shoulders not looking me in the eyes.
“Don’t worry, we are going to make up the best story about how you cut your face. You’ll be a hero.”
He looked at me, I mean really looked at me, and right in the eyes. I liked that because in his eyes I saw something different, something kind, and something unexpected that I couldn’t describe. He invited me to his house for an after-school snack that day and I concocted a story of how he walked across Briars Lake and he saved a dog from drowning. I was a good liar even back then. The dog’s name was Harvey and the owners called Jack a hero. By the time we were done, I couldn’t look at his cheek without seeing Jack rescuing a black soaking-wet shivering dog named Harvey.
Thank you for hosting me, and your kind review.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting me, and your kind review.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your awesome review and the book and author details, this sounds like an excellent read and I am looking forward to it.
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