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caseroo7's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
Heidi R. Kling is a new to me author, but after I read this blurb I was so intrigued. Paint My Body Red was unlike anything I have read before, and it was a really good story. Kling captured my attention right away, and I couldn't stop reading as I had to know what was going on. This book deals with a lot of touchy subjects, and yet I thought that Kling handled them masterfully. Before starting this story I would make sure that you take the time to read the blurb as some of the issues dealt with here could be possible triggers for some readers.
After a rash of suicides at her school, Paige's mom sends her to live with her sick father fearing that Paige will be the next. Those around her believe that she will be the seventh teenager to throw themselves in front of a train. So when Paige arrives at her father's ranch, she finds out that nothing is as she remembered it. Not only is her father sick, but he is actually dying. The ranch that had been passed down for generations is falling to pieces and is in danger of being sold and the boy she once knew is now a full grown sexy cowboy. Paige finds herself tired of running and is ready to face her secrets. But can she deal with her secrets and move forward, or will they be too much for her no matter where she is?
I was really interested in the characters of this story, and I thought that Kling did a great job of showing such depth for each of them. Paige was dealing with a lot, and it was clear that there was so much going on beneath the surface that no one knew about. Between her thoughts and her writing in her journal, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out everything that had happened both in the past and was happening in the present. Then you had Ty, her stepbrother. There was a lot to him as well, and I didn't always understand him or his choices. At times I really liked him and felt for him, and then at other times I was convinced he was a bad guy. He was definitely dealing with his own set of issues though, and I think that had everything to do with his actions. Then you have Jake, the sexy cowboy that Paige had known as a child. I liked him instantly, and I really thought that he was a great guy. There was such a huge gap in time from when Paige had known him before and the present, and I was just as curious as Paige was to find out all that had gone in in the years that she had missed. Jake had his own set of issues he was dealing with, but the more I got to know him the more I loved him.
Overall, this was a really interesting book. I know at this point I haven't said much about the actual story and have been pretty vague, that is on purpose though as I really think that this book needs to be read blind. There are so many things that could spoil everything if said that I am just going to say that this book was different and was unlike anything I have read. Not only does it deal with teen suicide but it also deals with so many more issues including illness and loss. I found the characters deep and interesting and their story is one worth reading. I think that a lot of people will really relate to this story and it is definitely one worth taking a chance on. I will definitely be looking for more from Heidi R. Kling in the future after reading Paint My Body Red, and I think that this is one of those books that will stick with me and having me thinking about it for quite awhile.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
Heidi R. Kling is a new to me author, but after I read this blurb I was so intrigued. Paint My Body Red was unlike anything I have read before, and it was a really good story. Kling captured my attention right away, and I couldn't stop reading as I had to know what was going on. This book deals with a lot of touchy subjects, and yet I thought that Kling handled them masterfully. Before starting this story I would make sure that you take the time to read the blurb as some of the issues dealt with here could be possible triggers for some readers.
After a rash of suicides at her school, Paige's mom sends her to live with her sick father fearing that Paige will be the next. Those around her believe that she will be the seventh teenager to throw themselves in front of a train. So when Paige arrives at her father's ranch, she finds out that nothing is as she remembered it. Not only is her father sick, but he is actually dying. The ranch that had been passed down for generations is falling to pieces and is in danger of being sold and the boy she once knew is now a full grown sexy cowboy. Paige finds herself tired of running and is ready to face her secrets. But can she deal with her secrets and move forward, or will they be too much for her no matter where she is?
I was really interested in the characters of this story, and I thought that Kling did a great job of showing such depth for each of them. Paige was dealing with a lot, and it was clear that there was so much going on beneath the surface that no one knew about. Between her thoughts and her writing in her journal, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out everything that had happened both in the past and was happening in the present. Then you had Ty, her stepbrother. There was a lot to him as well, and I didn't always understand him or his choices. At times I really liked him and felt for him, and then at other times I was convinced he was a bad guy. He was definitely dealing with his own set of issues though, and I think that had everything to do with his actions. Then you have Jake, the sexy cowboy that Paige had known as a child. I liked him instantly, and I really thought that he was a great guy. There was such a huge gap in time from when Paige had known him before and the present, and I was just as curious as Paige was to find out all that had gone in in the years that she had missed. Jake had his own set of issues he was dealing with, but the more I got to know him the more I loved him.
Overall, this was a really interesting book. I know at this point I haven't said much about the actual story and have been pretty vague, that is on purpose though as I really think that this book needs to be read blind. There are so many things that could spoil everything if said that I am just going to say that this book was different and was unlike anything I have read. Not only does it deal with teen suicide but it also deals with so many more issues including illness and loss. I found the characters deep and interesting and their story is one worth reading. I think that a lot of people will really relate to this story and it is definitely one worth taking a chance on. I will definitely be looking for more from Heidi R. Kling in the future after reading Paint My Body Red, and I think that this is one of those books that will stick with me and having me thinking about it for quite awhile.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
borrowers_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This was such an incredibly moving book; by the end of it, I was in tears. There were a lot of difficult topics at play in this book, and I thought they were all handled extremely well by the author.
“What made the difference between choosing to die and deciding to live?
Was it the weight of sadness that buckled them over and dragged them away from all sane, rational thoughts with an anchor of hopelessness so intense they just gave up fighting?”
The main issue in this book was teen suicide. Throughout the book, we learnt more about why Paige was so deeply affected by not only these suicides, but many other serious incidents. I don’t want to give parts of the story away, so I won’t say what some of these other topics are, but I felt that they all fit into the story really well. They were handled with grace, but weren’t sugarcoated. Everything was raw and real and in your face. I think this book has the ability to create a lot of discussions about all these really serious issues that many young people face.
When we first began to learn about how the suicides at Paige’s school started, it hit quite close to home. The first student to die was described as happy, popular kid, who seemed to have everything going for him. At my school last year, a boy just like that committed suicide. I didn’t know him, but no one could believe it; he had apparently been such a happy person who always had a smile on his face. So yeah, I think the message that the book is telling is incredibly important; you can’t know what people are feeling behind the wall they put up, the face they show the world.
I think what stopped me from giving this book five stars was that I had mixed feelings about the main character, Paige. I understand that she was dealing with a lot, but I did find her a little annoying at times. Generally, it was to do with her commentary on Jake – the oh-so-gorgeous cowboy. There was a bit of insta-love going on, which I am not a fan of, so that was probably why she frustrated me. As it got further into the book, I came to understand her a bit more, and I was a little less judgemental. If I were to read it again, I would probably be a bit more understanding, and enjoy the beginning of the book more.
I absolutely adored the last section of the book, as we found how exactly what had happened before Paige went to the ranch. I also loved how Paige had grown after her time at the ranch, and how her life was looking a little more hopeful. There was so much emotion in those last few chapters, and it was such a great ending to the story.
“Most importantly we live. We live like crazy”
Overall, I think this was an amazing story that handles tough topics with a lot of grace. I wasn’t too sure how much I would enjoy it based on the description, but I’m really glad I gave it a chance. I would strongly recommend it to people who enjoyed Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, as it has a very similar tone.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This was such an incredibly moving book; by the end of it, I was in tears. There were a lot of difficult topics at play in this book, and I thought they were all handled extremely well by the author.
“What made the difference between choosing to die and deciding to live?
Was it the weight of sadness that buckled them over and dragged them away from all sane, rational thoughts with an anchor of hopelessness so intense they just gave up fighting?”
The main issue in this book was teen suicide. Throughout the book, we learnt more about why Paige was so deeply affected by not only these suicides, but many other serious incidents. I don’t want to give parts of the story away, so I won’t say what some of these other topics are, but I felt that they all fit into the story really well. They were handled with grace, but weren’t sugarcoated. Everything was raw and real and in your face. I think this book has the ability to create a lot of discussions about all these really serious issues that many young people face.
When we first began to learn about how the suicides at Paige’s school started, it hit quite close to home. The first student to die was described as happy, popular kid, who seemed to have everything going for him. At my school last year, a boy just like that committed suicide. I didn’t know him, but no one could believe it; he had apparently been such a happy person who always had a smile on his face. So yeah, I think the message that the book is telling is incredibly important; you can’t know what people are feeling behind the wall they put up, the face they show the world.
I think what stopped me from giving this book five stars was that I had mixed feelings about the main character, Paige. I understand that she was dealing with a lot, but I did find her a little annoying at times. Generally, it was to do with her commentary on Jake – the oh-so-gorgeous cowboy. There was a bit of insta-love going on, which I am not a fan of, so that was probably why she frustrated me. As it got further into the book, I came to understand her a bit more, and I was a little less judgemental. If I were to read it again, I would probably be a bit more understanding, and enjoy the beginning of the book more.
I absolutely adored the last section of the book, as we found how exactly what had happened before Paige went to the ranch. I also loved how Paige had grown after her time at the ranch, and how her life was looking a little more hopeful. There was so much emotion in those last few chapters, and it was such a great ending to the story.
“Most importantly we live. We live like crazy”
Overall, I think this was an amazing story that handles tough topics with a lot of grace. I wasn’t too sure how much I would enjoy it based on the description, but I’m really glad I gave it a chance. I would strongly recommend it to people who enjoyed Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, as it has a very similar tone.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
illbefinealone's review against another edition
5.0
Update (July 8th 2017):
It took three trips to the post office: one civil talk with a lady who works there, one conversation that was on the verge of an argument with her younger colleague, and lastly talking to the controller at seven in the morning, to finally get this book.
Since I opened the package containing it, I haven't been able to put it down, the cover's mesmerizing, it keeps inviting me to stare at it.
This was the second time I read this book, and experiencing it again was somehow better than the first time around. I realized that I'm not too keen on the ending But I'm gonna push that all aside because all the other parts of this story are just perfectly done. It made me angry , it made me giddy with excitement, it brought me to tears a few times, it made me finally turn the laptop on to write a review about something (it was overdue). I love the mysterious part of the story, I think the way Mrs. Kling incorporated the past is amazing (cause I actually read it, and I find those parts dull and uninteresting in many novels), but my favorite part would have to be the dynamic between Jake and Paige. What can I say, I'm a sucker for romance.
I'm definitely gonna read this one again (especially since I own a physical copy, something I can't believe I foreshadowed in 2015).
Original review (October 23rd 2015):
Copy received through NetGalley
Review on my blog illbefinealonereads
Confession. While Goodreads will tell you that it took me three days to read this book, I actually didn’t start it until yesterday. I don’t know why. Maybe I’m in bit of a reading slump. Maybe I expect a completely different book after reading the summary. Actually, the second one is completely true.
But once I started reading it, I was drawn to continue by the mystery it carries throughout. Mrs. Heidi R. Kling writes with an incredible style that turned this dark story into the most positive and hopeful book you’ll read this year.
The message you’ll find within is what kept me up till 2 am, rushing to finish it, not just because of a deadline I had set up for myself, but also because of the urge to find out what happens to Paige, what will happen to the ranch, what’s the next wonderful thing Jake will do.
Read it. You won’t regret it. Recommended by yours truly.
P.S. This book is also going on my physical copy wish-list. And that is the ultimate compliment I can give any book. I love it so much, that I need a copy to own.
It took three trips to the post office: one civil talk with a lady who works there, one conversation that was on the verge of an argument with her younger colleague, and lastly talking to the controller at seven in the morning, to finally get this book.
Since I opened the package containing it, I haven't been able to put it down, the cover's mesmerizing, it keeps inviting me to stare at it.
This was the second time I read this book, and experiencing it again was somehow better than the first time around. I realized that I'm not too keen on the ending
Spoiler
No, I didn't expect Paige's dad to survive, I really wanted things between her and Jake (which had a lovely build up) to have a bigger climax, but it felt like a balloon slowly deflating, rather than popping, and no, the epilogue didn't do it for me.Spoiler
at TyI'm definitely gonna read this one again (especially since I own a physical copy, something I can't believe I foreshadowed in 2015).
Original review (October 23rd 2015):
Copy received through NetGalley
Review on my blog illbefinealonereads
Confession. While Goodreads will tell you that it took me three days to read this book, I actually didn’t start it until yesterday. I don’t know why. Maybe I’m in bit of a reading slump. Maybe I expect a completely different book after reading the summary. Actually, the second one is completely true.
But once I started reading it, I was drawn to continue by the mystery it carries throughout. Mrs. Heidi R. Kling writes with an incredible style that turned this dark story into the most positive and hopeful book you’ll read this year.
The message you’ll find within is what kept me up till 2 am, rushing to finish it, not just because of a deadline I had set up for myself, but also because of the urge to find out what happens to Paige, what will happen to the ranch, what’s the next wonderful thing Jake will do.
Read it. You won’t regret it. Recommended by yours truly.
P.S. This book is also going on my physical copy wish-list. And that is the ultimate compliment I can give any book. I love it so much, that I need a copy to own.
chantal_readingwithcat's review against another edition
4.0
Paige soll ihren Vater auf seiner Ranch in Wyoming besuchen, bevor sie aufs College geht. Dort soll sie die Ereignisse in San Francisco verarbeiten, die Paiges Welt erschüttert haben. Dort trifft sie auf ihren Kindheitsfreund Jake und der ihr die schönen Seiten von Wyoming zeigt. Zwischen den beiden entwickelt sich sehr langsam etwas was über Freundschaft hinausgeht.
Paige war mir zu Beginn überhaupt nicht sympathisch, da man sie erst einmal kennenlernen musste. Man erfährt erst im Laufe der Geschichte mehr über sie und was in San Francisco passiert ist und dadurch konnte man sie auch besser verstehen. Ich habe dann endlich verstanden, warum sie so war und wie sie zu der geworden ist, die sie zu Beginn war. Sie hat sich selbst aufgegeben und das was sie durchgemacht hat, hat es mich verstehen lassen. Es war nachvollziehbar, wie sich das Vertrauen langsam aufbaut und nicht sofort kam, denn das wäre ziemlich unpassend gewesen.
Jake ist ein junger Cowboy, der auf der Ranch von Paiges Vater arbeitet und den Paige aus ihrer Kindheit kennt. Er war genauso wie ich mir einen Cowboy vorgestellt habe. Er hatte immer einen Hut auf, war ruhig und geduldig und liebte die Natur. Ich fand seine Art und seinen ganzen Charakter einfach klasse. Er war einfach immer da und wirkte sehr reif und ich hätte gerne selbst einen Cowboy wir ihn.
Das Cover wirkt leicht und verspricht eine süße Geschichte, aber es gab so viel mehr. Sie hatte viel mehr Tiefe und war viel ernster als es das Cover und auch der Klappentext vermuten lässt. Ich wurde von der Geschichte wirklich überrascht und es war so viel ernster, als ich es erwartet hatte.
Der Schreibstil ist mitreißend und fesselnd und ich konnte nicht aufhören. Ich wusste einfach nicht genau wohin mich die Geschichte führen würde und was noch passieren würde. Ich hatte zwar meine Vermutungen, aber ich lag genauso oft daneben, wie ich richtig lag. Überraschend trifft es wohl am besten.
Abgesehen davon, dass ich am Anfang nicht so mit Paiges Art klar gekommen bin, der aber im Nachhinein genau so wie er war perfekt war, gab es nur eine Sache, die mich an dem Buch etwas gestört hat. Da ich hier nicht allzu sehr spoilern will, werde ich es nur kurz anschneiden. Ich fand die Entwicklung der Beziehung zum Ende hin nicht so toll. Es hat mir zwar gefallen, aber irgendwie hatte ich einfach auf mehr gehofft.
Insgesamt ist 'Mit dir unter dem weiten Himmel' eine wundervolle Geschichte, die mit Tiefe überrascht und eine interessante Story besitzt, die mitreißend und emotional ist. Obwohl es kleinere Schwächen hatte, würde ich es doch weiterempfehlen, vorallem wer mal etwas lesen möchte, dass nicht unbedingt leichte Kost ist.
Paige war mir zu Beginn überhaupt nicht sympathisch, da man sie erst einmal kennenlernen musste. Man erfährt erst im Laufe der Geschichte mehr über sie und was in San Francisco passiert ist und dadurch konnte man sie auch besser verstehen. Ich habe dann endlich verstanden, warum sie so war und wie sie zu der geworden ist, die sie zu Beginn war. Sie hat sich selbst aufgegeben und das was sie durchgemacht hat, hat es mich verstehen lassen. Es war nachvollziehbar, wie sich das Vertrauen langsam aufbaut und nicht sofort kam, denn das wäre ziemlich unpassend gewesen.
Jake ist ein junger Cowboy, der auf der Ranch von Paiges Vater arbeitet und den Paige aus ihrer Kindheit kennt. Er war genauso wie ich mir einen Cowboy vorgestellt habe. Er hatte immer einen Hut auf, war ruhig und geduldig und liebte die Natur. Ich fand seine Art und seinen ganzen Charakter einfach klasse. Er war einfach immer da und wirkte sehr reif und ich hätte gerne selbst einen Cowboy wir ihn.
Das Cover wirkt leicht und verspricht eine süße Geschichte, aber es gab so viel mehr. Sie hatte viel mehr Tiefe und war viel ernster als es das Cover und auch der Klappentext vermuten lässt. Ich wurde von der Geschichte wirklich überrascht und es war so viel ernster, als ich es erwartet hatte.
Der Schreibstil ist mitreißend und fesselnd und ich konnte nicht aufhören. Ich wusste einfach nicht genau wohin mich die Geschichte führen würde und was noch passieren würde. Ich hatte zwar meine Vermutungen, aber ich lag genauso oft daneben, wie ich richtig lag. Überraschend trifft es wohl am besten.
Abgesehen davon, dass ich am Anfang nicht so mit Paiges Art klar gekommen bin, der aber im Nachhinein genau so wie er war perfekt war, gab es nur eine Sache, die mich an dem Buch etwas gestört hat. Da ich hier nicht allzu sehr spoilern will, werde ich es nur kurz anschneiden. Ich fand die Entwicklung der Beziehung zum Ende hin nicht so toll. Es hat mir zwar gefallen, aber irgendwie hatte ich einfach auf mehr gehofft.
Insgesamt ist 'Mit dir unter dem weiten Himmel' eine wundervolle Geschichte, die mit Tiefe überrascht und eine interessante Story besitzt, die mitreißend und emotional ist. Obwohl es kleinere Schwächen hatte, würde ich es doch weiterempfehlen, vorallem wer mal etwas lesen möchte, dass nicht unbedingt leichte Kost ist.
aprilk's review against another edition
4.0
Paint My Body Red is a captivating page turner. The protagonist tells her story in alternating turns of then and now. I felt that this really helped to build the suspense and helped to balance some happiness of the budding romance in the now with the dark actions that take place in the past. I was really drawn in and did not want to stop reading until I found out exactly what all had happened and where it was all going to lead dear Paige now.
There was quite a bit going on in this book with what might seem like it should be more than one story but rather than seeming overdone it somehow works. This book does deal with some very serious subjects such as teen suicide, depression,and sickness so I would take into consideration if your a sensitive reader. I will say that I felt that all subjects were dealt with with both honesty and sensitivity and I respect that. Paint My Body Red is powerful and emotional, if you like YA books that deal with real issues then you should definitely give this one a try. I for one look forward to checking out more books from this author.
** I received a digital copy of this book for review purposes. **
There was quite a bit going on in this book with what might seem like it should be more than one story but rather than seeming overdone it somehow works. This book does deal with some very serious subjects such as teen suicide, depression,and sickness so I would take into consideration if your a sensitive reader. I will say that I felt that all subjects were dealt with with both honesty and sensitivity and I respect that. Paint My Body Red is powerful and emotional, if you like YA books that deal with real issues then you should definitely give this one a try. I for one look forward to checking out more books from this author.
** I received a digital copy of this book for review purposes. **
carleneinspired's review
4.0
You can find more of this review on my blog, Carlene Inspired.
Paige has agreed to spend the summer after high school at her dad's ranch in Wyoming, not so much because she wants to, but because she needs to get away. A string of suicides at her school have left her raw and disconnected. The smartest, most athletic, and popular kids are gone and her mom doesn't want her to be next. After years away from the ranch, Paige is surprised to see it bad condition, not realizing that her dad is incredibly ill. She also meets Jake, a handsome cowboy, who opens her eyes to a world she thought she'd left behind. As summer goes by, Paige finds herself again and processes the events from the school year prior.
I can't explain what this book did to me completely, but I can say this, it will leave you reeling. Heidi R. Kling writes about a very sensitive subject with tact, bravery (it's based on true events), and obvious experience. With a lot of grace, Kling writes about the suicides, the friends in pain, the worried family members, and Paige's processing of it all. Told in a past and present format, Paige's life in Wyoming continues moving forward, helping her grow mentally, and allowing herself to go back and write about what happened, the events, her feelings, what she wished she had done and how much it affected her. Without speaking about it anyone else, she processes it all alone.
The writing is beautiful, the "then" parts were raw and filled with heavy emotion, while the "now" Paige was slowly loosening up and finding her way. I liked Paige, a lot. While she may seem like the stuck up girl, as you get to know her, you find she's as lost as everyone else. You can feel her pain, as well as feel the worries the other characters have for her. As she deals with loss of classmates, she has to find a way to accept what her method of coping used to be. How she can forgive her parents, her stepbrother, and even herself. On top of that, her father's illness is a hard one, one that brings a whole new story line to the book. Heidi R. Kling not only wrote about suicide sensitively, but also long-term diseases and how that affects those in their life. There is also romance, something Kling wove into this story so smoothly you might not see it coming. It's the kind of romance that's a slow burn, that doesn't take over the story, and allows the reader to join the character in the journey. I saw strength in Paige and I really appreciated that the minor characters in this book, including her dad, his caretaker, and the cowboy, Jake, saw it in her too. The Wyoming Paige is like a different person, a different book, and yet it all comes together so well.
While Paint My Body Red is about a topic that's hard to imagine, experience, and talk about, the book itself is so easy to get into. With relatable characters, raw truth, and a lesson in acceptance, this book is one that I am happy to say I read and loved. I think it's a book that should be read, by everyone, and could easily be used to work with youth struggling through similar situations. I think it opens up a valuable discussion on self worth, honesty, and moving forward in life. This book may hurt to read, the sensitive subject may be too much for some, but I am grateful that Heidi R. Kling took the time to write something so meaningful and with such grace.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Teen for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Paige has agreed to spend the summer after high school at her dad's ranch in Wyoming, not so much because she wants to, but because she needs to get away. A string of suicides at her school have left her raw and disconnected. The smartest, most athletic, and popular kids are gone and her mom doesn't want her to be next. After years away from the ranch, Paige is surprised to see it bad condition, not realizing that her dad is incredibly ill. She also meets Jake, a handsome cowboy, who opens her eyes to a world she thought she'd left behind. As summer goes by, Paige finds herself again and processes the events from the school year prior.
I can't explain what this book did to me completely, but I can say this, it will leave you reeling. Heidi R. Kling writes about a very sensitive subject with tact, bravery (it's based on true events), and obvious experience. With a lot of grace, Kling writes about the suicides, the friends in pain, the worried family members, and Paige's processing of it all. Told in a past and present format, Paige's life in Wyoming continues moving forward, helping her grow mentally, and allowing herself to go back and write about what happened, the events, her feelings, what she wished she had done and how much it affected her. Without speaking about it anyone else, she processes it all alone.
The writing is beautiful, the "then" parts were raw and filled with heavy emotion, while the "now" Paige was slowly loosening up and finding her way. I liked Paige, a lot. While she may seem like the stuck up girl, as you get to know her, you find she's as lost as everyone else. You can feel her pain, as well as feel the worries the other characters have for her. As she deals with loss of classmates, she has to find a way to accept what her method of coping used to be. How she can forgive her parents, her stepbrother, and even herself. On top of that, her father's illness is a hard one, one that brings a whole new story line to the book. Heidi R. Kling not only wrote about suicide sensitively, but also long-term diseases and how that affects those in their life. There is also romance, something Kling wove into this story so smoothly you might not see it coming. It's the kind of romance that's a slow burn, that doesn't take over the story, and allows the reader to join the character in the journey. I saw strength in Paige and I really appreciated that the minor characters in this book, including her dad, his caretaker, and the cowboy, Jake, saw it in her too. The Wyoming Paige is like a different person, a different book, and yet it all comes together so well.
While Paint My Body Red is about a topic that's hard to imagine, experience, and talk about, the book itself is so easy to get into. With relatable characters, raw truth, and a lesson in acceptance, this book is one that I am happy to say I read and loved. I think it's a book that should be read, by everyone, and could easily be used to work with youth struggling through similar situations. I think it opens up a valuable discussion on self worth, honesty, and moving forward in life. This book may hurt to read, the sensitive subject may be too much for some, but I am grateful that Heidi R. Kling took the time to write something so meaningful and with such grace.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Teen for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
zareena's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not sure what I expected from Paint My Body Red but it was a great read! Paige is being sent to her father’s ranch for the summer to protect her from the events of the past year and to give her some distance from everything before university.
There are lots of threads that the author pulls together in Paint My Body Red: Paige’s father’s illness, the mystery behind the suicides and Paige’s involvement, Paige healing, and the romance with Jake. First the plot. Last year a string of suicides occurred at Paige’s school, people she had grown up with. In flashbacks we see what happened and how Paige was affected. I wasn’t sure what to think about the string of suicides but one thing for sure was that Paige’s mental health began to decline, especially after she got sexually involved with her stepbrother. We find out what happened through the flashbacks and in pieces so there’s Tia tensions that runs throughout the book, which made me want to read on.
Everything we learn about Paige’s past is disturbing but when Paige heads out to Wyoming and her dad’s ranch she is determined to get better. So often characters in YA books who have been through something traumatic are anti-therapist and don’t seem to want to face what happened. But Paige didn’t do that. She slowly goes through what happened to her and she doesn’t make decisions that she knows will hurt her progress. Also, I really liked Paige’s character: she’s quiet but also determined. One thing I didn’t like about Paige was that in the flashbacks she seemed to be really selfish at times.
I really enjoyed Paint My Body Red and the romance made it even better. Jake is the love interest and the author did a wonderful job of building friend hair between Paige and Jake before even suggesting something more. Paige knows she’s not ready for any type of relationship and she takes the time to get to know Jake as a friend. When they do finally get together it was really sweet. Similar to Paige, Jake is a pretty laid back person but he compliments Paige really well. Also, did I mention he’s a cowboy? Yeah ;) . Having said that, I thought all the secondary characters, including Jake, were a bit flat and could have done with more development. The author spent so much time on Paige – which worked really well – but Jake’s character had the potential to more, so that was slightly disappointing.
Overall Paint My Body Red was an enjoyable read. It is certainly not a light read and at times it was a little disturbing but the author handled all he topics wonderfully and I’d definitely recommend picking this one up :)
Young Adult/New Adult
4 stars
Thank you, Entangled, for providing me with a review copy! All views and opinions are my own.
There are lots of threads that the author pulls together in Paint My Body Red: Paige’s father’s illness, the mystery behind the suicides and Paige’s involvement, Paige healing, and the romance with Jake. First the plot. Last year a string of suicides occurred at Paige’s school, people she had grown up with. In flashbacks we see what happened and how Paige was affected. I wasn’t sure what to think about the string of suicides but one thing for sure was that Paige’s mental health began to decline, especially after she got sexually involved with her stepbrother. We find out what happened through the flashbacks and in pieces so there’s Tia tensions that runs throughout the book, which made me want to read on.
Everything we learn about Paige’s past is disturbing but when Paige heads out to Wyoming and her dad’s ranch she is determined to get better. So often characters in YA books who have been through something traumatic are anti-therapist and don’t seem to want to face what happened. But Paige didn’t do that. She slowly goes through what happened to her and she doesn’t make decisions that she knows will hurt her progress. Also, I really liked Paige’s character: she’s quiet but also determined. One thing I didn’t like about Paige was that in the flashbacks she seemed to be really selfish at times.
I really enjoyed Paint My Body Red and the romance made it even better. Jake is the love interest and the author did a wonderful job of building friend hair between Paige and Jake before even suggesting something more. Paige knows she’s not ready for any type of relationship and she takes the time to get to know Jake as a friend. When they do finally get together it was really sweet. Similar to Paige, Jake is a pretty laid back person but he compliments Paige really well. Also, did I mention he’s a cowboy? Yeah ;) . Having said that, I thought all the secondary characters, including Jake, were a bit flat and could have done with more development. The author spent so much time on Paige – which worked really well – but Jake’s character had the potential to more, so that was slightly disappointing.
Overall Paint My Body Red was an enjoyable read. It is certainly not a light read and at times it was a little disturbing but the author handled all he topics wonderfully and I’d definitely recommend picking this one up :)
Young Adult/New Adult
4 stars
Thank you, Entangled, for providing me with a review copy! All views and opinions are my own.
summerrae87's review against another edition
4.0
I don't read mystery/thriller YA often, so I'm generally pretty hesitant while trying to get through them. This book, however, stood out among the rest. Shifting between past and present, or "then" and "now" as the narrator puts it, we discover seven suicides all stemming from a single high school group. An illicit love affair causes our main character Paige to be shipped off to her father's ranch. Paige's father has advanced ALS but she hasn't seen him in quite some time, so his appearance and demeanor catch her off guard. Another thing that throws her for a loop--Jake, the boy she played with as a kid who turned into a rugged cowboy whose life is primarily helping at her father's ranch. Paige, however, is worried about letting anyone else in -- especially after the last suicide, which was directly linked to her life. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I managed to finish it in one day. I would highly recommend this to readers of mystery and thriller books and those who are willing to step into the genre.
crudelise's review against another edition
4.0
Well what shall I say... The characters where adorable the setting in the wild west great. It took a bit too long until it got interesting and I really dreaded all the then chapters which got worse and worse, the ending seemed a bit rushed though I really liked it anyways :)