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ian_hasumi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
she_nagans's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book sunk its hooks in fast, I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down. Sam is such a complex yet lovable character, and I loved the De Lainey family and their realistic family dynamics.
I enjoyed this as a stand alone, but since finding out it's part of a series I can't wait to read the next installments!
I enjoyed this as a stand alone, but since finding out it's part of a series I can't wait to read the next installments!
o_li_via's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kautaru's review against another edition
4.0
I’m sure I’m not the only one who thought of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay when I read the synopsis. But I did my best to not to let that hinder my judgement, since that’s a 10/10 series and I didn’t want my expectations to be too high. Anyway, cute book! Writing style was a bit cliche and repetitive and hence annoying sometimes, but I liked it overall. Very easy to read and quite entertaining. I found it hard to read only a chapter or two as I wanted to keep reading. Characters are all very likeable. Plot was interesting, and not very predictable, though the ending was kinda underwhelming. For some reason I expected there to be a timeskip or something, so I was very confused when I saw the “Acknowledgments” page lol. The best thing about this book would definitely be the dialogue. I wouldn’t say it’s realistic per se, more like it’s very entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud several times because of the dialogue. Portrayed sibling dynamics very well too. I did find the romance a bit -eh because the characters are 15 years old, and that seems very young to me now, but anyways. What do I know. 4 stars, solid read!
leahegood's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
Summary
Sammy Lou is 15 and on his way to jail if the police ever catch up to him. He never meant to be this way--punching people and breaking into houses--but how else is he supposed to prevent people from hurting his older, autistic brother and how else is he supposed to get the tiny tastes of home that he so desperately, secretly craves?
And then, one day, his house stealing goes terribly wrong in the most terrifyingly perfect way. He wakes up in a stolen house to find the family home, and they catch him sneaking out. To his astounded shock, though, they all think he belongs, assuming he's one sibling or another's friend. The stolen sense of being wanted is more than Sammy Lou can resist, but it's only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down. He knows that. And he still can't force himself to turn away.
My Thoughts
After I got over the inital surprise of third person, present tense narration this story sucked me in right away. You can't help but feel sympathy for Sam's situation--his desperation to protect his brother, his efforts to ignore his wish for someone to protect him, his dream for a home and all the wrong ways he goes about trying to acheive that dream because there really aren't any other options available to him.
There's some typical MG/YA "lets keep the parents out of the picture as long as possible" storytelling that was both a slight need to suspend disbelief and also, as an older reader, a sense of "please, kids, don't do this at home." If I had read this in my early teens, this element would have been total wish fulfillment, though, even if I knew it wasn't realistic. And I appreciated the depiction of healthy fatherhood and compassionate manhood in Mr. De Lainey, even if he was a bit overly oblivious for the sake of the YA genre.
The word selection in this book was delicious. "He thinks of Moxie and her sewing needles and thimbles and her lemony frown."
I also appreciated that, while the story (rightly so) cast Sam in a sympathetic light and dwelled in the "honeymoon phase" of his introduction to the De Lainey family, it avoided acting like a friendly family and a high school romance could heal a lifetime of abuse and neglect. The ending was textbook for a hope-infused ending that didn't unrealistically solve every probelm.
Content
Romance: Sam finds Moxie attractive (his mental admiration is PG and generally respectful) and, as their friendship progresses, his reactions to her physical proximity are sometimes described. For example, as she's giving him a haircut: "...she goes on, unaware of the explosions happening under her fingertips every time she touches him." Later on in the story, the two cuddle (again, not descriptive) and kiss (not descriptive but frequent). One of Moxie's older brothers is also dating and one brother's ex-boyfriend is mentioned in passing. Her brother's collectively give Sam the "protective big brother" speech.
Language: Some minor swearing is spelled out and more swearing is implied. The De Lainey father routinely disciplines his children for swearing.
Violence: Sam's childhood memories are filled with neglect and abuse. He sometimes lashes out in frantic defense of others and is injured multiple times throughout the story. Though nothing is graphic, the poetic descriptions may invoke more vivid imagery for readers with good imaginations and sensitive hearts.ima
Religion: The De Lainey's mother was catholic and the children still attend a Catholic school. None of the characters in the story seem to be religious and religion is not discussed outside of the De Lainey's explaining certain family rules that exist out of respect for their mother's faith.
Sammy Lou is 15 and on his way to jail if the police ever catch up to him. He never meant to be this way--punching people and breaking into houses--but how else is he supposed to prevent people from hurting his older, autistic brother and how else is he supposed to get the tiny tastes of home that he so desperately, secretly craves?
And then, one day, his house stealing goes terribly wrong in the most terrifyingly perfect way. He wakes up in a stolen house to find the family home, and they catch him sneaking out. To his astounded shock, though, they all think he belongs, assuming he's one sibling or another's friend. The stolen sense of being wanted is more than Sammy Lou can resist, but it's only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down. He knows that. And he still can't force himself to turn away.
My Thoughts
After I got over the inital surprise of third person, present tense narration this story sucked me in right away. You can't help but feel sympathy for Sam's situation--his desperation to protect his brother, his efforts to ignore his wish for someone to protect him, his dream for a home and all the wrong ways he goes about trying to acheive that dream because there really aren't any other options available to him.
There's some typical MG/YA "lets keep the parents out of the picture as long as possible" storytelling that was both a slight need to suspend disbelief and also, as an older reader, a sense of "please, kids, don't do this at home." If I had read this in my early teens, this element would have been total wish fulfillment, though, even if I knew it wasn't realistic. And I appreciated the depiction of healthy fatherhood and compassionate manhood in Mr. De Lainey, even if he was a bit overly oblivious for the sake of the YA genre.
The word selection in this book was delicious. "He thinks of Moxie and her sewing needles and thimbles and her lemony frown."
I also appreciated that, while the story (rightly so) cast Sam in a sympathetic light and dwelled in the "honeymoon phase" of his introduction to the De Lainey family, it avoided acting like a friendly family and a high school romance could heal a lifetime of abuse and neglect. The ending was textbook for a hope-infused ending that didn't unrealistically solve every probelm.
Content
Romance: Sam finds Moxie attractive (his mental admiration is PG and generally respectful) and, as their friendship progresses, his reactions to her physical proximity are sometimes described. For example, as she's giving him a haircut: "...she goes on, unaware of the explosions happening under her fingertips every time she touches him." Later on in the story, the two cuddle (again, not descriptive) and kiss (not descriptive but frequent). One of Moxie's older brothers is also dating and one brother's ex-boyfriend is mentioned in passing. Her brother's collectively give Sam the "protective big brother" speech.
Language: Some minor swearing is spelled out and more swearing is implied. The De Lainey father routinely disciplines his children for swearing.
Violence: Sam's childhood memories are filled with neglect and abuse. He sometimes lashes out in frantic defense of others and is injured multiple times throughout the story. Though nothing is graphic, the poetic descriptions may invoke more vivid imagery for readers with good imaginations and sensitive hearts.ima
Religion: The De Lainey's mother was catholic and the children still attend a Catholic school. None of the characters in the story seem to be religious and religion is not discussed outside of the De Lainey's explaining certain family rules that exist out of respect for their mother's faith.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Abandonment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, and Sexual content
adi_sarang's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
donatio's review against another edition
No rating bc Idk.
This novel should have trigger warnings in the front, I personally felt too much chaos energy from it which made me far more uncomfortable than I would like while reading. Everything felt stressed and overshadowed while the ending was so fast and sudden. Like suddenly he's going to find a good way? I'm not buying that.
Vivid description, liked that but in combination with the chaotic and stressful scenes it made me imagine too much.
This novel should have trigger warnings in the front, I personally felt too much chaos energy from it which made me far more uncomfortable than I would like while reading. Everything felt stressed and overshadowed while the ending was so fast and sudden. Like suddenly he's going to find a good way? I'm not buying that.
Vivid description, liked that but in combination with the chaotic and stressful scenes it made me imagine too much.
togidemi's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of Sam's actions seem to happen just because the plot demanded it, and there's one thing - what Sam DID AT SCHOOL *cue shocked gasps*- that gets hyped up in the book that turns out to be a massive disappointment. However, I really adored this book. It's funny and warm and sweet and everyone you're meant to love - the De Lainey family especially (who I love to absolute pieces) - are so, so lovable. Familial love bursts through every page of this book. (The romance was cute, but the love for family was what really got me.) I smiled, laughed, teared up. IDK MAN. THIS JUST FILLED MY HEART
Additionally, I love how Drews makes use of page space with words she wants to emphasize. (If you read it, you know what I mean.) It's a technique I've always wanted to see utilized more in fiction.
Additionally, I love how Drews makes use of page space with words she wants to emphasize. (If you read it, you know what I mean.) It's a technique I've always wanted to see utilized more in fiction.
wjb11's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While I did enjoy this book, it gives (especially the beginning) a very much big vibe of I hate my autistic sibling they are the cause of all my problems, and as an autistic person that made me angry and anxious that my siblings hated me for that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Abandonment, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying