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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
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.
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.
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.
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 :)
As a person working in a community where suicide clusters took place, I was intrigued by Kling's exploration of a teenager's experiences and lens of the world after the tragedies. Heidi has clearly done her research and handles the character's emotional exploration as well as the topic of suicide with care and reality. Highly recommend for teen/parent pairs looking to talk about the subject!
Paint My Body Red!!! First things first: I received an ARC through NetGalley.
The book came out yesterday, so if it's something you are interested in, you should check it out.
There is that quote towards the end of the book, that I want to start this review with. Cause it's one of those quotes that I want to write down everywhere and that I had no trouble with tattooing it on my forehead.
"But he should know by now that life isn't black and white - it's red. And in that color is where we spend the whole of what matters, the vibrancy of life, the bloody mess of death, and the pulsing heart of love."
The book is just beautiful. The story is that special kind of sad beautiful, that tugs on every single one of your heartstrings. It's the kind of beautiful when a person goes through a lot and finally is able to start healing. And not just the story is beautiful but also the writing. I'm in love with the author's writing. Cause let's be real, a story about a teenage suicides is a tricky story. I can only imagine how hard it is to write something like that, to write it the right way. The author did it beautifully and tastefully.
The characters were wonderfully written. There were so many layers to every one of them and they were just really well thought out. At first I couldn't connect with Paige, who is the main character of this story. But through the pages she really grew on me. And now that i have finished the book, she is one of those characters that will hold a special place in my heart. She is just that important to me now. She grew so much in the story. I loved the difference between the 'then' and the 'now', how she acted and how she changed.
I also really loved the family aspect of the story. I mean this could have been a story about Paige going to her daddy's farm and meeting Jake and it would have all been about these two and their love and what not. But the author made it about love, but the love of family. Paige reconnecting with her father. Finding a second mother in Anna. Finding Jake, who truly believes in her. Of course they fall in love. But it's beautiful. It's slowly growing. It isn't rushed and it makes so much sense. And the love between Paige and Scout, that beautiful and stubborn horse (the connection between these two brought me back to my love for the tv show Wildfire!!!).
I won't say much about the plot, cause I had seriously no idea what I was getting into when I started reading this book and it surprised me and I feel like it's the best way to read this book. Not knowing and enjoying every turn of event.
The book came out yesterday, so if it's something you are interested in, you should check it out.
There is that quote towards the end of the book, that I want to start this review with. Cause it's one of those quotes that I want to write down everywhere and that I had no trouble with tattooing it on my forehead.
"But he should know by now that life isn't black and white - it's red. And in that color is where we spend the whole of what matters, the vibrancy of life, the bloody mess of death, and the pulsing heart of love."
The book is just beautiful. The story is that special kind of sad beautiful, that tugs on every single one of your heartstrings. It's the kind of beautiful when a person goes through a lot and finally is able to start healing. And not just the story is beautiful but also the writing. I'm in love with the author's writing. Cause let's be real, a story about a teenage suicides is a tricky story. I can only imagine how hard it is to write something like that, to write it the right way. The author did it beautifully and tastefully.
The characters were wonderfully written. There were so many layers to every one of them and they were just really well thought out. At first I couldn't connect with Paige, who is the main character of this story. But through the pages she really grew on me. And now that i have finished the book, she is one of those characters that will hold a special place in my heart. She is just that important to me now. She grew so much in the story. I loved the difference between the 'then' and the 'now', how she acted and how she changed.
I also really loved the family aspect of the story. I mean this could have been a story about Paige going to her daddy's farm and meeting Jake and it would have all been about these two and their love and what not. But the author made it about love, but the love of family. Paige reconnecting with her father. Finding a second mother in Anna. Finding Jake, who truly believes in her. Of course they fall in love. But it's beautiful. It's slowly growing. It isn't rushed and it makes so much sense. And the love between Paige and Scout, that beautiful and stubborn horse (the connection between these two brought me back to my love for the tv show Wildfire!!!).
I won't say much about the plot, cause I had seriously no idea what I was getting into when I started reading this book and it surprised me and I feel like it's the best way to read this book. Not knowing and enjoying every turn of event.
"I understand my father. I understand his philosophy. But he should know by now that life isn't black and white—it's red."
Oh man.
I finished this book a few hours ago and am still in sort of a daze about it. Major book hangover happening at the moment.
While I knew this book dealt with a rash of suicides, I was surprised at what else was tackled in this book. Life, loss and love—both good and bad—were addressed.
The author did an amazing job at weaving these somewhat separate stories into one coherent beautiful saga at the center of which was Paige.
I absolutely recommend this whole heartedly. A beautiful story. Something I'm likely to revisit again and again.
Oh man.
I finished this book a few hours ago and am still in sort of a daze about it. Major book hangover happening at the moment.
While I knew this book dealt with a rash of suicides, I was surprised at what else was tackled in this book. Life, loss and love—both good and bad—were addressed.
The author did an amazing job at weaving these somewhat separate stories into one coherent beautiful saga at the center of which was Paige.
I absolutely recommend this whole heartedly. A beautiful story. Something I'm likely to revisit again and again.
UPDATE!! THIS IS AVAILABLE TODAY!!
**I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Honestly, I did not expect to love this book and enjoy it as much as I did. When it came up for review, I read the synopsis, thought it sounded interesting, so I went for it. I did not expect to become so invested in it, or to let it force me to feel so much.
What do you do when people all around you, your peers, are dying? By suicide? You start to wonder if maybe something is in the water. Then you seek out ways to help you cope and to feel something other than shock and sadness. In this case, Paige's search for something to distract her only lead to more trouble. So she is forced to go spend the summer between high school and college with her father, who lives on an amazing ranch and whom she hasn't seen in years.
At the ranch, Paige becomes a new person. She finds herself, she finds happiness and love, while also being forced to face other forms of loss that she never expected. I absolutely fell in love right alongside her, and I also felt the pain and loss with her. I cried like 3 times during this book, I guess I'm feeling extra emotional these days. I don't even like horses! (that seems like a crazy thing to say, but its not. oh and no animals were harmed in the creation of this story.) In the end, Paige comes out stronger and braver than she ever was before.
What I did not know was that this was inspired by actual events, but one the author mentioned it, I remembered it in the news. In Palo Alto, in 2009, there was a cluster of teen suicides in a similar fashion as the book. The author tried to make some kind of sense out of it and wanted to protect her own children from the "contagious" suicides, so she created Paige and her story as an outlet. Originally, I though maybe something paranormal would be tied to it, but this story was much more meaningful than I could have expected.
This is a great contemporary novel that deals with SO MANY things, not just suicide. I definitely recommend this one!
**I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
At my death paint my body with red paint and plunge it into fresh water to be restored back to life, otherwise my bones will be turned into stone and my joints into flint in my grave, but my spirit will rise. ―Crazy Horse
Honestly, I did not expect to love this book and enjoy it as much as I did. When it came up for review, I read the synopsis, thought it sounded interesting, so I went for it. I did not expect to become so invested in it, or to let it force me to feel so much.
What do you do when people all around you, your peers, are dying? By suicide? You start to wonder if maybe something is in the water. Then you seek out ways to help you cope and to feel something other than shock and sadness. In this case, Paige's search for something to distract her only lead to more trouble. So she is forced to go spend the summer between high school and college with her father, who lives on an amazing ranch and whom she hasn't seen in years.
How hard, how almost impossible it is to cling to the beautiful moments that keep us alive? Keep us fighting through those dark times when those moments are few and far between?
At the ranch, Paige becomes a new person. She finds herself, she finds happiness and love, while also being forced to face other forms of loss that she never expected. I absolutely fell in love right alongside her, and I also felt the pain and loss with her. I cried like 3 times during this book, I guess I'm feeling extra emotional these days. I don't even like horses! (that seems like a crazy thing to say, but its not. oh and no animals were harmed in the creation of this story.) In the end, Paige comes out stronger and braver than she ever was before.
What I did not know was that this was inspired by actual events, but one the author mentioned it, I remembered it in the news. In Palo Alto, in 2009, there was a cluster of teen suicides in a similar fashion as the book. The author tried to make some kind of sense out of it and wanted to protect her own children from the "contagious" suicides, so she created Paige and her story as an outlet. Originally, I though maybe something paranormal would be tied to it, but this story was much more meaningful than I could have expected.
This is a great contemporary novel that deals with SO MANY things, not just suicide. I definitely recommend this one!
I have loved Heidi R. Kling's writing ever since I first read Sea, so when I heard about Paint My Body Red, I was extremely excited!!! The description sounded dark and edgy, with the promise of some romance involving a swoon-worthy cowboy, which sounded pretty amazing to me. Sure enough, I started the book, and couldn't put it down!
Paint My Body Red is about Paige. When she was younger, her parents divorced, and her mom moved her to California, away from her family's ranch in Wyoming. She goes back years later, after a series of suicides takes place involving students from her school, and when she gets to the ranch, she sees just how much it has changed and how her father's health has declined due to ALS. While the circumstances of her return were sad, I loved seeing Paige make herself at home once again on the ranch. I loved seeing her get to know her father again, and their relationship was one of my favourite parts of the novel. I loved seeing her get to know the woman that her father loved, Anna. And I especially loved seeing her friendship with Jake evolve. I just really loved this story! The characters immediately pulled me in, and I genuinely cared for Paige. It was amazing to see how time on her father's ranch helped her overcome what she experienced back in Palo Alto.
While there is a romantic element to Paint My Body Red, I loved that the story wasn't defined by romance. Instead, the story was largely about Paige healing and growing stronger on the ranch. The story itself was told in an extremely interesting way. Paige narrates the entire book, but it alternates between her present and the events that happened to her back in California, which she records in her diary. Writing out what happened acts as a catharsis for Paige, and her time on the ranch helps her ground herself. She's able to find happiness and joy despite the people she lost, and the abuse that she suffered. I absolutely loved this method of revealing Paige's past—it was unique and engaging.
I also loved the romance in the story, and thoroughly enjoyed Jake and Paige together. I loved their banter, and they brought out the best in each other. They worked extremely well together, and it was fantastic to see their relationship evolve from friendship into something more, especially since it was founded on trust. I also really loved that Jake was a cowboy! There's something so attractive about a boy with the manners of a gentleman, who is still willing to kiss the crap out of a girl. ;) Even better that he never pressured Paige, and that their relationship was never rushed.
Overall, I absolutely loved Paint My Body Red. I loved that it was such a dynamic story, and that it covered such important topics. Suicide, rape, depression, and life-threatening illnesses should never be brushed aside, and I thought it was amazing that Heidi R. Kling approached all of those topics in Paint My Body Red. This story is so important, and it delivers such a powerful message about life, valuing the life you're given, and working to overcome the things that hold you back. I thought that it was a complex, mysterious, and captivating story, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone!
Paint My Body Red is about Paige. When she was younger, her parents divorced, and her mom moved her to California, away from her family's ranch in Wyoming. She goes back years later, after a series of suicides takes place involving students from her school, and when she gets to the ranch, she sees just how much it has changed and how her father's health has declined due to ALS. While the circumstances of her return were sad, I loved seeing Paige make herself at home once again on the ranch. I loved seeing her get to know her father again, and their relationship was one of my favourite parts of the novel. I loved seeing her get to know the woman that her father loved, Anna. And I especially loved seeing her friendship with Jake evolve. I just really loved this story! The characters immediately pulled me in, and I genuinely cared for Paige. It was amazing to see how time on her father's ranch helped her overcome what she experienced back in Palo Alto.
While there is a romantic element to Paint My Body Red, I loved that the story wasn't defined by romance. Instead, the story was largely about Paige healing and growing stronger on the ranch. The story itself was told in an extremely interesting way. Paige narrates the entire book, but it alternates between her present and the events that happened to her back in California, which she records in her diary. Writing out what happened acts as a catharsis for Paige, and her time on the ranch helps her ground herself. She's able to find happiness and joy despite the people she lost, and the abuse that she suffered. I absolutely loved this method of revealing Paige's past—it was unique and engaging.
I also loved the romance in the story, and thoroughly enjoyed Jake and Paige together. I loved their banter, and they brought out the best in each other. They worked extremely well together, and it was fantastic to see their relationship evolve from friendship into something more, especially since it was founded on trust. I also really loved that Jake was a cowboy! There's something so attractive about a boy with the manners of a gentleman, who is still willing to kiss the crap out of a girl. ;) Even better that he never pressured Paige, and that their relationship was never rushed.
Overall, I absolutely loved Paint My Body Red. I loved that it was such a dynamic story, and that it covered such important topics. Suicide, rape, depression, and life-threatening illnesses should never be brushed aside, and I thought it was amazing that Heidi R. Kling approached all of those topics in Paint My Body Red. This story is so important, and it delivers such a powerful message about life, valuing the life you're given, and working to overcome the things that hold you back. I thought that it was a complex, mysterious, and captivating story, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone!