Scan barcode
tzd's review
2.0
After loving “I’ll meet you there” I wanted to find another book that explores PTSD in returned soldiers.
Travis and Harper. He returns from Afghanistan traumatised from the death of his best mate in combat, to find his ex is now with his bro. He starts to like Harper, who’s supposed to hate him because he spread a rumour about her when they were young.
This should’ve been enemies to lovers with lots of tension and her helping him deal with demons. But it wasn’t.
It was very short and sometimes the writing jumped time/location that left me confused.
Travis and Harper. He returns from Afghanistan traumatised from the death of his best mate in combat, to find his ex is now with his bro. He starts to like Harper, who’s supposed to hate him because he spread a rumour about her when they were young.
This should’ve been enemies to lovers with lots of tension and her helping him deal with demons. But it wasn’t.
It was very short and sometimes the writing jumped time/location that left me confused.
liagali's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
loveleareads's review
4.0
This is my first venture into a book where the main character has PTSD. Although heart-breaking at some parts, I really enjoyed it. Travis has been through a lot (as you would expect). He's working to get over his guilt. Something Like Normal is about Travis figuring out how to deal with everything and trying to heal. I really enjoyed Travis's character. I feel that Doller really captured the voice of this young man (I also liked that the MC is a male--a seemingly rarity in YA these days). He could be really funny one minute and really sweet and serious the next. Don't get me wrong, he did make mistakes and made some decisions that I didn't agree with, but I like to think that he learned from them and grew. I really liked this book, but it didn't wow me. It was just lacking that extra something to make me love. Maybe if it were a bit longer I think I would have loved it.
rachelreadsravenously's review
2.0
Full review here: http://drizzlehurricane.blogspot.com/2013/09/something-like-normal.html
octavia_rsr's review
4.0
Lately I have been consumed by the paranormal world. Vampire, werewolves, witched, ghost, and what not’s. I was long overdue for a dose "a new normal". While I had my issues with the whole Paige issue towards the end I really did like this book overall. Travis had real issues that I know I couldn't face and even though he was a tad broken he wasn't annoying or reckless. His mom is someone I would be proud to know in my life and I am so happy his dad got what he deserved. Harper was spunky and sweet and real. I can't stand a main character that has been put on a pedestal or who is lower than the devils ass and Harper was the definition of a tangible character. I truly enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone who just wants a nice non-overbearing dose of reality.
dannafs's review
3.0
Travis Stephenson is home in Florida for a one-month leave from Afghanistan. His father was livid when Travis signed up for the Marines, and a tour at war hasn't changed dad's feelings. Things at home are fraught, but Travis has nowhere else to go. War has shone a light on the cracked foundation of his family, and it seems everything will crumble now that it's exposed. Thus, Travis is back, and struggling with two sets of demons: the dramas of his family and the all-consuming nightmares and hallucinations of his time at war.
Doller details post-traumatic stress disorder in a way that is totally readable and believable. My heart ached for Travis as he fought for a sense of normalcy in a life that has become far from normal. Travis may never reach normal, but he's going for Something Like Normal, and here's his story in its challenges and triumphs.
Favorite quote (although I'll say, I think there were way too many references to Travis's erections... (1) He's not 13 and (2) the sheer number of references is gratuitous. This one, however, made me laugh):
"She beams at me and it's almost enough to make up for the fact that I'm harder than trigonometry right now. Almost" (57).
Doller details post-traumatic stress disorder in a way that is totally readable and believable. My heart ached for Travis as he fought for a sense of normalcy in a life that has become far from normal. Travis may never reach normal, but he's going for Something Like Normal, and here's his story in its challenges and triumphs.
Favorite quote (although I'll say, I think there were way too many references to Travis's erections... (1) He's not 13 and (2) the sheer number of references is gratuitous. This one, however, made me laugh):
"She beams at me and it's almost enough to make up for the fact that I'm harder than trigonometry right now. Almost" (57).
alexalovesbooks's review
5.0
(Review originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
I read Something Like Normal and I'm going to preface this review by saying that there is nothing normal about this truly incredible book. Despite the fact that the novel was a little shorter than I expected, it managed to completely surpass any expectations I had for it. Trish Doller has written a story that's incredibly authentic and moving, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I absolutely adored Travis. There's something so potent to me about seeing a guy so heartbroken and hurting so bad, all while dealing with the burdens of PTSD from going to war and the pressure his father puts on him. There's was something recognizable in his heartache, and something that I could personally sympathize with. More than once, I wanted to reach out to him and offer my love and consolation and hope and just help him feel better. This doesn't excuse any of his particularly rash actions (and ones that I don't approve of necessarily), but I can understand the reason they happened.
Harper is a great character as well, imbued with strength, quirkiness, and a strong sense of self. She seemed special right off the bat, and I just knew that she was meant to play an important role in Travis' life. It seemed pretty cool that they had a history (albeit not one that she or he would want to remember), and I like how they were able to move past their, well, past and into a different sort of relationship.
Apart from these two characters, I love how I felt completely submerged in Travis' story. It's interesting how detailed the entire experience of someone returning from a war and suffering from PTSD, as well as other problems, was shown in this book. It felt very authentic, down to the little things, and that definitely added a little something to the story.
Honestly, my initial reaction to the ending was what the heck? I thought it cut off a bit abruptly, but then I realized that I was actually kind of happy with it. It's enough for me to be able to imagine that Travis goes on to recover little by little, as well as get that happy ending he totally deserves.
Something Like Normal certainly packed a punch for a book that was shorter than I expected. It introduced me to a character that I loved and sympathized with, as well as showed me what it could be like for someone who suffered from PTSD after being involved in a war. Trish Doller did an incredible job bringing to life Travis' story for readers, and I can't wait to see more from her in the years to come!
I read Something Like Normal and I'm going to preface this review by saying that there is nothing normal about this truly incredible book. Despite the fact that the novel was a little shorter than I expected, it managed to completely surpass any expectations I had for it. Trish Doller has written a story that's incredibly authentic and moving, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I absolutely adored Travis. There's something so potent to me about seeing a guy so heartbroken and hurting so bad, all while dealing with the burdens of PTSD from going to war and the pressure his father puts on him. There's was something recognizable in his heartache, and something that I could personally sympathize with. More than once, I wanted to reach out to him and offer my love and consolation and hope and just help him feel better. This doesn't excuse any of his particularly rash actions (and ones that I don't approve of necessarily), but I can understand the reason they happened.
Harper is a great character as well, imbued with strength, quirkiness, and a strong sense of self. She seemed special right off the bat, and I just knew that she was meant to play an important role in Travis' life. It seemed pretty cool that they had a history (albeit not one that she or he would want to remember), and I like how they were able to move past their, well, past and into a different sort of relationship.
Apart from these two characters, I love how I felt completely submerged in Travis' story. It's interesting how detailed the entire experience of someone returning from a war and suffering from PTSD, as well as other problems, was shown in this book. It felt very authentic, down to the little things, and that definitely added a little something to the story.
Honestly, my initial reaction to the ending was what the heck? I thought it cut off a bit abruptly, but then I realized that I was actually kind of happy with it. It's enough for me to be able to imagine that Travis goes on to recover little by little, as well as get that happy ending he totally deserves.
Something Like Normal certainly packed a punch for a book that was shorter than I expected. It introduced me to a character that I loved and sympathized with, as well as showed me what it could be like for someone who suffered from PTSD after being involved in a war. Trish Doller did an incredible job bringing to life Travis' story for readers, and I can't wait to see more from her in the years to come!
mildlyjulie's review
5.0
I loved this book. It broke my heart in the best kind of way. It should be required reading for someone, I'm not sure whom exactly.
However, I haaaaaate the cover. It really cheapens the book.
However, I haaaaaate the cover. It really cheapens the book.