Scan barcode
katsquad1129's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, I was completely surprised and amazed by this book. I've never heard of this story until it came up as a recommended search and I figured, why not.
For starters, I really enjoyed the over-arching plot surrounding Gordie's story, and what his life has become. The trauma he faced is something very unique and is not a topic that has been breached by many of stories. This book did a great job of sharing his story through the lens of someone suffering with PTSD. It allowed us to see Gordie in a way that very few people see him.
Personally, my favorite part of the story is Gordie and Kevin's relationship. I love the way that Kevin acts around Gordie. He doesn't judge him, or makes him feel bad. He accepts him and protects him. He's the type of big brother any person would want.
I also really enjoyed the romantic aspects of the book. While they are subtle, and a lot happens off screen, the relationship shown between Gordie and Sarah highlights both of their growth.
Overall, the story is filled with heartbreak, but also hope. There are moments that made me want to cry, to laugh, to want to slap Gordie's dad. Regardless, I loved the story, and loved the characters alongside it.
For starters, I really enjoyed the over-arching plot surrounding Gordie's story, and what his life has become. The trauma he faced is something very unique and is not a topic that has been breached by many of stories. This book did a great job of sharing his story through the lens of someone suffering with PTSD. It allowed us to see Gordie in a way that very few people see him.
Personally, my favorite part of the story is Gordie and Kevin's relationship. I love the way that Kevin acts around Gordie. He doesn't judge him, or makes him feel bad. He accepts him and protects him. He's the type of big brother any person would want.
I also really enjoyed the romantic aspects of the book. While they are subtle, and a lot happens off screen, the relationship shown between Gordie and Sarah highlights both of their growth.
Overall, the story is filled with heartbreak, but also hope. There are moments that made me want to cry, to laugh, to want to slap Gordie's dad. Regardless, I loved the story, and loved the characters alongside it.
kirstynelaine's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who has epilepsy and has a child with PTSD, there was something about this book that I just didn't find believable. The voice did not feel authentic to me.
Part of that might have been due to the fact that I listened to this one on Audible, and the narrator did a lot of weird voices: every bad guy sounded like Derek Zoolander, the biological father sounded like Christian Bale's take on Batman, and the lawyer sounded like an extra from the movie Fargo.
Part of that might have been due to the fact that I listened to this one on Audible, and the narrator did a lot of weird voices: every bad guy sounded like Derek Zoolander, the biological father sounded like Christian Bale's take on Batman, and the lawyer sounded like an extra from the movie Fargo.
aelong1399's review against another edition
3.0
Gordie's PTSD and a lot of the things he feels and experiences are definitely right. But as a child welfare worker, I did get kind of frustrated with some of the legal stuff because it wasn't entirely accurate.
alizalondon's review against another edition
3.0
You know when you finish a book or tv show or whatever, and then the “you might also like” section sends you down a rabbit hole? Yeah, this is my sixth or seventh YA contemporary over the last month, and they’re all starting to blur together. Maybe if I read this book a month ago I’d like it better, but it just felt repetitive and a tad over-the-top for much of it.
I think I’ll switch genres for a bit.
I think I’ll switch genres for a bit.
justwanna2read's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sheyri's review against another edition
4.0
TW:
Oof, that was rough. Poor Gordie was going through a lot, and it just didn't seem like he would get a break.
And is the system really that bad? Like, how?! No way that could really happen! Though I wouldn't be surprised either...
And can we appreciate this cover? It's perfect!
It might not be the best cover ever made, but it fits so well. The way the left side of his body almost looks like it's bruised is exactly how Gordie would look on the inside, I think.
Spoiler
PTSD, child abuse (physical and emotional), death, suicideOof, that was rough. Poor Gordie was going through a lot, and it just didn't seem like he would get a break.
And is the system really that bad?
Spoiler
How can it be that you would force a teen to stay a week with his father, if he completely freaks out in a supervised meeting, so much that they have to end it ten minutes early!And can we appreciate this cover? It's perfect!
It might not be the best cover ever made, but it fits so well. The way the left side of his body almost looks like it's bruised is exactly how Gordie would look on the inside, I think.
babblinglib's review against another edition
4.0
I'm usually a little leery of teen angst books. They can be over the top, to the point where it can almost cross into parody. This title was a nice surprise. Gordie has something terrible happen to him, and he reacts in a very realistic and heartbreaking way. The author gives Gordie a lovely voice and captures how his pain is reflected in those closest to him. A short, thoughtful story.
zanm's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There’s a lot of things I could say about this book, but one of my praises is how accurate the depiction of PTSD and trauma coping is. As someone with my own traumatic childhood, Gordie’s struggles and distance from his peers hit home for me, and while his case was an extreme, the ending where he’s not really “better” or “fixed” but implied that he can become more settled instead, is an insane 10/10 depiction of how recovery feels. Absolutely I cried at the end and the pacing was also phenomenal! Thoroughly enjoyed this :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Abandonment, Child abuse, Child death, Murder, Suicide, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Self harm
momo1129's review
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was really good, I enjoyed it... But the last thirty-ish pages seemed very rushed. While the rest of the book was pretty evenly paced, and I enjoyed the ride, as it were, after the scene at the ice rink, everything just seems to dart for the finish line as quick as possible.
It was jarring, since the rest of the book was pretty well paced, and I liked the writing.
It was jarring, since the rest of the book was pretty well paced, and I liked the writing.