ISBN: 9780615608327
Publisher: Laughing Moon
Pages: 334
Formats Available: Paperback, Kindle
BLURB from Goodreads
New Edition (February 2012)
***Edited by Sara-Jayne Slack, Inspired Quill Press***
The Tylers have a perfect life--beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. Their eldest, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine, more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years, just wants her sister's approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly together kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life...until Leah meets Todd, a former roadie for a rock band.
As Leah's parents fight to save their daughter from a world of drugs, sex, and wild parties, their divided approach drives their daughter out of their home and a wedge into their marriage. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Justine observes her sister's rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family-leaving her to question whether anyone loves her and if God even knows she exists.
Can this family survive in Leah's wake? What happens when love just isn't enough?
Nominated Global eBook Award (New Edition, 2012)
Book Bundlz 2011 Book Pick
Book Bundlz Book Club 2011 Favourites - First Place
MY REVIEW
I was kindly sent this, the latest edition of the book by Terri the author for me to read and review. This is a really well written, deeply moving novel. You could well believe this to be a true story, it is so realistic. Anyone of the following family members will identify with something in this book, be it from the mother, father,daughter or sisters point of view. This book is written with five people telling the story, there are the family members, (Mother)Zoe, (Father) Will, (Eldest Daughter) Leah, (Youngest Daughter) Justine and (Police Officer Johnson) Jerry. I could certainly identify with most of what they described from each of their points of view.
I loved the cover and through reading the book learnt the significance of the swing. Leah had nagged her parents, who had initially said no it was too dangerous etc but Leah continued until they gave in, and that's how the pattern of giving in to Leah began.
The book looks into the marriage of Zoe and Will, their ups and downs and the fact that Will had an affair years ago. I hope I am not giving away major spoilers here its difficult to say a great deal about the book without doing so.
I liked Justine's character the one that kept the home running behind the scenes who tried not to take sides. You really felt for Justine because her parents didn't seem to really see her as they were so caught up in Leah. Then there's the relationship between Leah and Justine, initially Leah dismisses Justine as just a child. Leah uses Justine to cover for her. Then in time leah comes to really see Justine as a person and sort of rely's on her more.
When I first started reading the book, it didn't feel like the story was moving on quick enough for me, but then the book picked up pace more and I was super-glued to it! I think the beginning of the book needs to be slower paced for you to take in the background of the plot and learn something about the characters before things start happening in the book.
The book shows many parenting styles, Zoe's "touchy, feely" style to talk about everything and compromise. Will's Do it my way or the highway type of approach. then theirs Todd's mum who can't see that her son does anything wrong, she will give him anything and everything. Lupo's father who continually bails out his son when he falls foul of the law, but yet doesn't spend time with his son. Who are we to say who is right and who is wrong?
There are lots of issues dealt with in this book, from truancy to drug use, the "wrong boyfriend to running away from home, from bullying to possible divorce.
So did I enjoy this book? Yes! Would I read more by Terri? Yes! would I recommend this book? Yes already have!
Available from Amazon.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment