Scan barcode
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Lucille (Lu) is in an unimaginable situation. Her mum has left her, at 17, in charge of her younger sister Wren, left them alone for weeks with very little money and no idea when (if ever) she is coming back, following an event with their father that's also made him vanish from their lives.
A student herself, Lu tries her best to be sister and parent to Wren, looking for work and money, trying to keep up with her homework, all the while desperately trying not to let her feelings for her best friend's brother (who is in a long-term relationship) show and ruin the delicate equilibrium she is sustaining.
We gradually learn just what happened with Lu's father, and what has happened to break the family into pieces. Lu is challenged by multiple issues, which do seem a little too much at times (her best friend's reaction to Lu's 'carer' situation didn't ring true). Her best friend Eden, a talented dancer, could have had a novel of her own.
I did find the increasing intimacy with Digby (Eden's brother) was quite well-written, though some conversations between the teenagers felt stilted and unrealistic in terms of their language.
Lu is a worthy role model though. Her situation is a horrendous one for a teenager to consider - becoming an adult and taking care of a sibling with no parent around for support.
I was expecting more of a resolution at the end and felt disappointment that it wasn't more neatly sewn up and concluded. Too many loose threads, after putting the reader through emotional turmoil.
Very interesting idea for a plot, but I would have ended it differently in several ways.
This is suitable for 12-16 year olds, it doesn't contain anything graphic but may be upsetting for younger readers.
With thanks to NetGalley for the advance reading copy.
A student herself, Lu tries her best to be sister and parent to Wren, looking for work and money, trying to keep up with her homework, all the while desperately trying not to let her feelings for her best friend's brother (who is in a long-term relationship) show and ruin the delicate equilibrium she is sustaining.
We gradually learn just what happened with Lu's father, and what has happened to break the family into pieces. Lu is challenged by multiple issues, which do seem a little too much at times (her best friend's reaction to Lu's 'carer' situation didn't ring true). Her best friend Eden, a talented dancer, could have had a novel of her own.
I did find the increasing intimacy with Digby (Eden's brother) was quite well-written, though some conversations between the teenagers felt stilted and unrealistic in terms of their language.
Lu is a worthy role model though. Her situation is a horrendous one for a teenager to consider - becoming an adult and taking care of a sibling with no parent around for support.
I was expecting more of a resolution at the end and felt disappointment that it wasn't more neatly sewn up and concluded. Too many loose threads, after putting the reader through emotional turmoil.
Very interesting idea for a plot, but I would have ended it differently in several ways.
This is suitable for 12-16 year olds, it doesn't contain anything graphic but may be upsetting for younger readers.
With thanks to NetGalley for the advance reading copy.
thart3's review against another edition
3.0
Lucille has to fend for herself and her sister when their mother "takes a break."
janewhitehurst's review against another edition
5.0
I devoured this one. It was one of those I can't put it down kind of books. After a domestic violent situation, two sisters are abandoned by their parents and the older of the two, Lucille, must make ends meet to keep their family unit together. With help from her best friend, and her best friend's twin brother (Lucile's love interest), she tries to work, study, and take on the parental role. It sounds dumb, but I found the love story to really draw me in and keep me reading. I look forward to more from this author.
franuary's review against another edition
4.0
Five months ago, Lucille's father was institutionalized for attacking her mother. Now the mother has disappeared on an extended "vacation," leaving 17-year-old Lucille to care for her little sister and maintain the household on her own. Frightened by the thought of losing her sister to child services and unsure when her mother might return, Lucille hides her mother's absence from friends and neighbors and starts working in a slightly shady Hooters-esque restaurant to make ends meet. It's a terrible time to fall in love, but her best friend's brother, Digby, has become suddenly irresistible, and Lucille soon finds herself under his spell.
I admired Lucille's strength and resilience, and felt that in many ways, she would be an excellent role model to teens reading this book. The lengths she goes to to make sure she doesn't lose guardianship of her sister are truly inspiring. However, I found the romance angle troubling. Still, I think teens reading this book would be into the love triangle, and the not-quite-wrapped-up ending leaves room for a sequel. Recommended to Sarah Dessen fans.
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group and to NetGalley for the advance copy!
I admired Lucille's strength and resilience, and felt that in many ways, she would be an excellent role model to teens reading this book. The lengths she goes to to make sure she doesn't lose guardianship of her sister are truly inspiring. However, I found the romance angle troubling.
Spoiler
Digby has a girlfriend throughout his relationship with Lucille, and it made it difficult to truly root for them. Their love was presented as genuine, but it's also founded on lies, and doesn't Lucille have enough disappointment in her life already? I wanted to strangle this dude.I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group and to NetGalley for the advance copy!
virginiais4lovers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.75
allthebrightpages's review against another edition
4.0
This book was light, airy, like magic in a way. I finished it in one sitting. I love the characters, the way they talk and think, and the storyline was well developed but vague enough to peak your interest. It's a beautiful story about change, loss, and love.
adryyyyy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.0
ienne's review against another edition
3.0
***I received an eARC of this book from the publisher (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group) in exchange for an honest review. This is an uncorrected galley; any quotes used are subject to change.
This book follows a girl Lucille whose father was in a mental institution while her mother left town leaving her with her little sister, Wren. Their mother left Lucille with nothing but her younger sister to look after; bills and taxes to pay for; and heaps of responsibilities to shoulder on. Lucille Bennett is just another 18 year old girl who’s supposed to worry about her education and not about how to raise and support her entire family. She was forced to do things more than she can manage. Wren Bennett, on the other hand, is a cute and intelligent 9-year old girl who also suffers one of the greatest blows of misfortune in the annals of their family history.
At the first part of the story, I was literally glued because the storyline was so damn intriguing and so stirring, I didn’t know what the f*ck is happening. There’s always a lump on my throat every time I’m reading it.
Lucille’s situation will definitely break your heart; you just wanted to go there and hug her. Taking care of her younger sister and working everyday to pay the bills have become a ball and chain that ties her down. As a result, Lucille has no other choice but to bite off things more than she can chew because her own mother forgot about parental responsibility and legal obligation.
I was so frustrated with their mother and I just want to meet her even in the middle of nowhere and give her a high five in the face and just simply ask her these three short words: “What the hell?”
Lucille and Wren’s mother left them for some stupid “quest to find herself” sugar-coated as “holiday break.” When somebody says, “I needed a break” when all they want to say is, “I needed some space without you in it,” it pisses me off. Seriously, that was the most ridiculous excuse I have ever heard.
SCENE 1:
LUCILLE'S MOTHER:
ME:
TRIVIA: She left her children with one hundred bill. How fascinating!
THE GOOD PARTS
I loved the title and its book cover.The title was flawlessly linked to the content of the book.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It wasn’t draggy or tedious because of the narration style and its fast-paced writing.
The book was beautifully written. The author’s writing style was authentic, raw, powerful and partially abstract (also lots of sentence fragments). Lucille has a very strong character which I really admired. The internal monologue was indeed very convincing.
Has a realistic and honest portrayal of family dysfunction.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD-PARTS
LUCILLE
DIGBY
He’s an ambivalent guy who can’t get around with things and be committed even for a second. So in the entire story, he always had to sneak: sneak kisses, sneak tight grips, sneak bear hugs and sneak physical comforts. He always had an inconsistent predilection for romance.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
The book has so many loose ends. There were just too many questions that demanded an answer. I found the ending a bit noncommittal. Resolution was suspended in thin air or was the answers purposely left off the hook? Perhaps to keep someone wondering purposely?
LESSONS LEARNED:
Not all parents are dependable.
Not all teenagers are consistent trouble-makers. Not all of them are footloose and fancy free youngsters and irresponsible party animals.
No matter how bad your heart is broken, when a friend cries out to you, you will always find yourself lending a hand.
Sh*t happens. The world will never get tired of upsetting you.
Lastly, I just wanted share this quote to you. I think it’s perfect for the book, though I don’t know who to credit but I’ll say it anyway: “Sometimes you just have to give up on people, not because you don’t care but because they don’t.”
Book Cover: *4/5
Plot: *4/5
Characters: 3/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Ending/Denouement: *2/5
Thank you to Netgalley.com and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for sending me a copy of this book.
“Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
This book follows a girl Lucille whose father was in a mental institution while her mother left town leaving her with her little sister, Wren. Their mother left Lucille with nothing but her younger sister to look after; bills and taxes to pay for; and heaps of responsibilities to shoulder on. Lucille Bennett is just another 18 year old girl who’s supposed to worry about her education and not about how to raise and support her entire family. She was forced to do things more than she can manage. Wren Bennett, on the other hand, is a cute and intelligent 9-year old girl who also suffers one of the greatest blows of misfortune in the annals of their family history.
At the first part of the story, I was literally glued because the storyline was so damn intriguing and so stirring, I didn’t know what the f*ck is happening. There’s always a lump on my throat every time I’m reading it.
Lucille’s situation will definitely break your heart; you just wanted to go there and hug her. Taking care of her younger sister and working everyday to pay the bills have become a ball and chain that ties her down. As a result, Lucille has no other choice but to bite off things more than she can chew because her own mother forgot about parental responsibility and legal obligation.
I was so frustrated with their mother and I just want to meet her even in the middle of nowhere and give her a high five in the face and just simply ask her these three short words: “What the hell?”
“What kind of person doesn’t come back? I don’t know. What kind of person leaves in the first place?”
Lucille and Wren’s mother left them for some stupid “quest to find herself” sugar-coated as “holiday break.” When somebody says, “I needed a break” when all they want to say is, “I needed some space without you in it,” it pisses me off. Seriously, that was the most ridiculous excuse I have ever heard.
“Said she needed a break from everything (See also: Us)”
SCENE 1:
LUCILLE'S MOTHER:
ME:
TRIVIA: She left her children with one hundred bill. How fascinating!
THE GOOD PARTS
I loved the title and its book cover.The title was flawlessly linked to the content of the book.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It wasn’t draggy or tedious because of the narration style and its fast-paced writing.
The book was beautifully written. The author’s writing style was authentic, raw, powerful and partially abstract (also lots of sentence fragments). Lucille has a very strong character which I really admired. The internal monologue was indeed very convincing.
Has a realistic and honest portrayal of family dysfunction.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD-PARTS
LUCILLE
Spoiler
Lucille’s narration was authentic throughout the story. Her responses to her miserable situation were graspable too. However, in the middle part, everything becomes too confusing. She becomes too irascible and sentimental. She will whine everytime Digby meets her girlfriend like a whiny 3 year old whose friends have taken her favorite toy away from her. And then, afterwards, once Digby drapes his arms around her, she will turn a complete somersault.“How does a barely noticeable star become your very own sun?”
DIGBY
He’s an ambivalent guy who can’t get around with things and be committed even for a second. So in the entire story, he always had to sneak: sneak kisses, sneak tight grips, sneak bear hugs and sneak physical comforts. He always had an inconsistent predilection for romance.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
The book has so many loose ends. There were just too many questions that demanded an answer. I found the ending a bit noncommittal. Resolution was suspended in thin air or was the answers purposely left off the hook? Perhaps to keep someone wondering purposely?
LESSONS LEARNED:
Not all parents are dependable.
Not all teenagers are consistent trouble-makers. Not all of them are footloose and fancy free youngsters and irresponsible party animals.
No matter how bad your heart is broken, when a friend cries out to you, you will always find yourself lending a hand.
Sh*t happens. The world will never get tired of upsetting you.
Lastly, I just wanted share this quote to you. I think it’s perfect for the book, though I don’t know who to credit but I’ll say it anyway: “Sometimes you just have to give up on people, not because you don’t care but because they don’t.”
Book Cover: *4/5
Plot: *4/5
Characters: 3/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Ending/Denouement: *2/5
Thank you to Netgalley.com and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for sending me a copy of this book.