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trishav22's review against another edition
5.0
Nicole "Coley" Sterling seems like a pretty normal girl-that is, from the outside. No one could have guessed what she was hiding.
We all know that this is a book about sexual abuse (well, you should if you're reading my review anyway!) and Coley tells us, pretty much during the first chapter. We know that she is being abused by someone she loves and cares about deeply, but one question remains. Who? We eventually figure out that it's her older brother, Bryan.
Now this book was difficult to read, considering what Coley's gone through, but it was also so well worded that it made it all okay, and I devoured the book in one or two sittings. It doesn't have much of a plot, but I think that skillful authors such as [a:Mindi Scott|3101322|Mindi Scott|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1290285232p2/3101322.jpg] can pull it off, and, for me, this book went off quite well. The only thing that bothered me? The ending. You end a story like that, and it kills me. NO. JUST NO. It's way too open. How will the mother and Tony react? How will they handle it? And, more importantly, what will they do with Bryan? Coley's going to be a wreck for a while, how will she cope? Then there are the less important questions, like how exactly did things go with everyone else? Ming was a really good friend, did Coley keep being her friend, even though she made up with Alejandra? Did Coley ever tell Reece about 'the situation?' And, if she did, when? If I keep having thoughts like this, I would make books go on forever.
I care very deeply for characters, and have special feelings for each one of them. Let's start with Coley, shall we? We're pretty much thrown into the storyline from the start, and for a few chapters, we don't get to know Coley very well. Technically, we don't know much about her for the whole book, but that's alright. We're only left in the dark because she hardly knows herself. In the end, I decided Coley was just a scared girl who tried so hard to be strong and perfect that she even managed to fool herself.
Up next is Reece. I was a bit skeptical about him in the beginning, but that was because we're given NO explanation about who Reece really is, and we just assume he's a good friend because he's giving Coley a ride to school. We soon realize that Coley hasn't known him long, but she has a crush. Overall, I liked Reece. He was a pretty well developed character, and what I liked most was the fact that he wasn't made to be perfect. He's a sax-playing geek, and neither he nor Coley has a problem with that.
Noah, now. What can I say about Noah? He was given a nice, grounded friendship with Coley, and let's just say, he's pretty awesome. Come on, we've all had Noah-type friends; those who were so bent on irritating you, but you irritated them just as much so you never minded. Those who you've known so long, doing almost anything with them feels natural. Those who are so ridiculous that you wonder why you're even friends with them, then remember that it's because you're just as ridiculous as they are. I think you need people like that in your life.
I'm going with Ming next. She remind me way too much of one of my friends, and the resemblance is a bit scary. Anyway, she seems to genuinely care about Coley, and, though it's not stated directly, she thinks of Coley as her best friend. She said that she can't talk about certain things with her other friends, but it's different with Coley. I really hope that she'll be Coley's friend for the long haul, because they need each other.
Alejandra? At first we're given the impression that Alejandra is just a frigid bitch that Coley has never gotten along with. You see what EXPLANATIONS are for, [a:Mindi Scott|3101322|Mindi Scott|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1290285232p2/3101322.jpg] ? That's not fair, because she does explain, but not at the right time. For the majority of the time I knew Alejandra, I was never given any reason to like her. But she is a lot like Coley. She, too, is a bit misunderstood. We do get to see her true colors, and I realized why she was Coley's best friend.
I know, I know. It's time to get to the part we're all waiting for. Bryan. Oh, Bryan, what the hell are we going to do with you? Bryan might just be the most confusing character I've ever read about. My opinion of him is ever-changing. At the beginning, I had an issue with him because of his post-breakup attitude. Then, he lost a bit of the attitude-ish-ness and I began to like him a bit. He seemed like a good big brother for once, and very few times does Coley drop hints about him and what he's done to her. Then he does it again, while Coley lets us know it was him, and I instantly had a moment of confusion. Then he starts to avoid Coley, and I feel a TINY bit better, thinking he was FINALLY regretting what he's done. Then he confronts her about it, and I decide to stop having opinions about him because I'll never settle on one. So, I'm sorry to disappoint, but Bryan is just one big, muddled mess in my mind. I have no clue what I think of him.
Of course I have thoughts on the other characters (like poor Tony who I was so sure was the one sexually abusing Coley in the beginning) but I think this review is getting a bit long. Overall: Live Through This was an amazing book, written very well and I loved reading it. It was a total emotional roller coaster, and I have tearstains on my copy of this book. I just think we need to have more of an explanation of certain characters before they're thrown in there. So, work on your explanation timing, Mindi, and you'll be golden!
We all know that this is a book about sexual abuse (well, you should if you're reading my review anyway!) and Coley tells us, pretty much during the first chapter. We know that she is being abused by someone she loves and cares about deeply, but one question remains. Who? We eventually figure out that it's her older brother, Bryan.
Now this book was difficult to read, considering what Coley's gone through, but it was also so well worded that it made it all okay, and I devoured the book in one or two sittings. It doesn't have much of a plot, but I think that skillful authors such as [a:Mindi Scott|3101322|Mindi Scott|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1290285232p2/3101322.jpg] can pull it off, and, for me, this book went off quite well. The only thing that bothered me? The ending. You end a story like that, and it kills me. NO. JUST NO. It's way too open. How will the mother and Tony react? How will they handle it? And, more importantly, what will they do with Bryan? Coley's going to be a wreck for a while, how will she cope? Then there are the less important questions, like how exactly did things go with everyone else? Ming was a really good friend, did Coley keep being her friend, even though she made up with Alejandra? Did Coley ever tell Reece about 'the situation?' And, if she did, when? If I keep having thoughts like this, I would make books go on forever.
I care very deeply for characters, and have special feelings for each one of them. Let's start with Coley, shall we? We're pretty much thrown into the storyline from the start, and for a few chapters, we don't get to know Coley very well. Technically, we don't know much about her for the whole book, but that's alright. We're only left in the dark because she hardly knows herself. In the end, I decided Coley was just a scared girl who tried so hard to be strong and perfect that she even managed to fool herself.
Up next is Reece. I was a bit skeptical about him in the beginning, but that was because we're given NO explanation about who Reece really is, and we just assume he's a good friend because he's giving Coley a ride to school. We soon realize that Coley hasn't known him long, but she has a crush. Overall, I liked Reece. He was a pretty well developed character, and what I liked most was the fact that he wasn't made to be perfect. He's a sax-playing geek, and neither he nor Coley has a problem with that.
Noah, now. What can I say about Noah? He was given a nice, grounded friendship with Coley, and let's just say, he's pretty awesome. Come on, we've all had Noah-type friends; those who were so bent on irritating you, but you irritated them just as much so you never minded. Those who you've known so long, doing almost anything with them feels natural. Those who are so ridiculous that you wonder why you're even friends with them, then remember that it's because you're just as ridiculous as they are. I think you need people like that in your life.
I'm going with Ming next. She remind me way too much of one of my friends, and the resemblance is a bit scary. Anyway, she seems to genuinely care about Coley, and, though it's not stated directly, she thinks of Coley as her best friend. She said that she can't talk about certain things with her other friends, but it's different with Coley. I really hope that she'll be Coley's friend for the long haul, because they need each other.
Alejandra? At first we're given the impression that Alejandra is just a frigid bitch that Coley has never gotten along with. You see what EXPLANATIONS are for, [a:Mindi Scott|3101322|Mindi Scott|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1290285232p2/3101322.jpg] ? That's not fair, because she does explain, but not at the right time. For the majority of the time I knew Alejandra, I was never given any reason to like her. But she is a lot like Coley. She, too, is a bit misunderstood. We do get to see her true colors, and I realized why she was Coley's best friend.
I know, I know. It's time to get to the part we're all waiting for. Bryan. Oh, Bryan, what the hell are we going to do with you? Bryan might just be the most confusing character I've ever read about. My opinion of him is ever-changing. At the beginning, I had an issue with him because of his post-breakup attitude. Then, he lost a bit of the attitude-ish-ness and I began to like him a bit. He seemed like a good big brother for once, and very few times does Coley drop hints about him and what he's done to her. Then he does it again, while Coley lets us know it was him, and I instantly had a moment of confusion. Then he starts to avoid Coley, and I feel a TINY bit better, thinking he was FINALLY regretting what he's done. Then he confronts her about it, and I decide to stop having opinions about him because I'll never settle on one. So, I'm sorry to disappoint, but Bryan is just one big, muddled mess in my mind. I have no clue what I think of him.
Of course I have thoughts on the other characters (like poor Tony who I was so sure was the one sexually abusing Coley in the beginning) but I think this review is getting a bit long. Overall: Live Through This was an amazing book, written very well and I loved reading it. It was a total emotional roller coaster, and I have tearstains on my copy of this book. I just think we need to have more of an explanation of certain characters before they're thrown in there. So, work on your explanation timing, Mindi, and you'll be golden!
bookdevouringmisfit's review against another edition
2.0
this makes me want to go back to writing reviews and explain more how much i hate that the author failed to work with this one and truly hone its potential to be a great novel. sigh.
caffeineaddict980's review against another edition
3.0
Coley's life seems 'normal' and average, she has a family to fall back on that support her. However, she is in a feud with one of her best friends which isn't so perfect. But Coley has dark secrets, guilt and shame hidden away that threaten her façade of a 'normal' life.
Now Coley has a chance at a new relationship, will everything unravel?
This was a quick read that caught my attention from the very first chapter. The book carries on narrating Coley's life in a somewhat breezy tone, with a bit of darkness lurking underneath. I liked the contrast that the novel had, it went well with Coley hiding her guilt and her shame, the façade and breeziness of the book up until the turning point of finding out who her abuser was which is when things start to get a little darker in tone.
I enjoyed reading this, but was left feeling as if something was lacking - not sure if it was from the overall plot or the ending.
Nevertheless, an extremely good read!
Now Coley has a chance at a new relationship, will everything unravel?
This was a quick read that caught my attention from the very first chapter. The book carries on narrating Coley's life in a somewhat breezy tone, with a bit of darkness lurking underneath. I liked the contrast that the novel had, it went well with Coley hiding her guilt and her shame, the façade and breeziness of the book up until the turning point of finding out who her abuser was which is when things start to get a little darker in tone.
I enjoyed reading this, but was left feeling as if something was lacking - not sure if it was from the overall plot or the ending.
Nevertheless, an extremely good read!
nagam's review against another edition
4.0
One of the hardest books I've ever read. So much of this made me uncomfortable and my heart hurt so badly for her. Beautiful, lovely writing.
heyjudy's review against another edition
4.0
~4/5
I really wanted to love this book. And I did like it a lot. But the ending kind of ruined everything for me.
Coley is having problems. Her home life isn’t very good at the moment, and she’s trying to hide that behind a very chipper attitude. Her mom married someone else and had three kids, which makes her feel like an extra, unneeded. Her brother feels the same way, but he’s been away at college. Only, now he’s back, and while he and Coley have always been close, that’s not particularly a good thing.
At school, Coley has lots of friends, gets along with everyone. Except her ex-best friend, who she’s not speaking to anymore. She’s gotten closer with a different girl, Ming, as well as a boy at school, Reece. Then there’s Noah, a boy she’s known most of her life, who everything think she’s going out with, when she’s not.
(Also, throughout the story, there's this reference to a very popular movie/book series, which makes a lot of sense once you find out what the big problem Coley has is. It made sense to me because I've never read the books or seen the movies, but for someone who has (or is just faster than me), they'll probably catch the meaning much faster than I did. And, while I liked that a bit, I also think maybe it was a bit too obvious, given how often the movies are talked about. Just wanted to mention that before I really get into my opinion.)
I liked Coley. I liked how she tried hiding everything behind a smile, but I do tend to find those characters interesting—and there just isn’t enough of them out there. I like most of the characters, actually. Ming seemed nice and interesting, and her ex-best friend, Alejandra, seemed interesting near the end of the book. I really like Noah, he’s very sweet. And I also really liked Reece. I even liked Coley’s step-siblings.
My biggest problem is the ending. The ending just kind of ruined everything for me, as I said, and I’m not happy about it. If it hadn’t been for the rest of the book, and I was only rating on the ending, this book would have only gotten two stars. Because I didn’t like it. I was even mad at it. Like, I wanted to throw the book across the room, and would have, were I the kind of person who did that.
I’ve read other books that ended like this one did. It’s a common ending, and while I would usually like more to the story, sometimes it even fits. This one, didn’t.
Usually when it ends like this, the reader is left feeling like everything is going to be okay, like the main character, and everyone around her, is going to find out the truth and deal with it, and that they are ready to deal with it. It’ll be hard, but they will be okay and are capable. I didn’t feel like that with this one.
In this book, it felt like the rest of the story still needed told. It felt like things were just getting started when the book ended. I mean, I do want more story, I would like to read how things fall apart and come together after this, but I also feel very unsatisfied, and like the story isn’t finished. There’s more to it, and I feel like I should get to read what that is.
I mean, I want to read her parents reactions to what happened, and I feel like there were several hints within the book that would lead to the readers' seeing how they reacted, that deserve coming to a head. I don’t feel like what’s going to happen next with Coley and Reece is settled in any way, and I feel that should be told. Also, Noah’s reaction to finding out. And how her brother is going to react, which will surely be bad.
I’m just… I’m really unsatisfied and upset and angry, and I feel like there should be more. I want a sequel, very badly, and I don’t think there’s going to be one. I want there to be, I think one deserves to be made, but I don’t think there will be one.
Nonetheless, I am still planning, and looking forward, to whatever Scott releases next.
This review is also available on my blog, with extras.
I really wanted to love this book. And I did like it a lot. But the ending kind of ruined everything for me.
Coley is having problems. Her home life isn’t very good at the moment, and she’s trying to hide that behind a very chipper attitude. Her mom married someone else and had three kids, which makes her feel like an extra, unneeded. Her brother feels the same way, but he’s been away at college. Only, now he’s back, and while he and Coley have always been close, that’s not particularly a good thing.
At school, Coley has lots of friends, gets along with everyone. Except her ex-best friend, who she’s not speaking to anymore. She’s gotten closer with a different girl, Ming, as well as a boy at school, Reece. Then there’s Noah, a boy she’s known most of her life, who everything think she’s going out with, when she’s not.
(Also, throughout the story, there's this reference to a very popular movie/book series, which makes a lot of sense once you find out what the big problem Coley has is. It made sense to me because I've never read the books or seen the movies, but for someone who has (or is just faster than me), they'll probably catch the meaning much faster than I did. And, while I liked that a bit, I also think maybe it was a bit too obvious, given how often the movies are talked about. Just wanted to mention that before I really get into my opinion.)
I liked Coley. I liked how she tried hiding everything behind a smile, but I do tend to find those characters interesting—and there just isn’t enough of them out there. I like most of the characters, actually. Ming seemed nice and interesting, and her ex-best friend, Alejandra, seemed interesting near the end of the book. I really like Noah, he’s very sweet. And I also really liked Reece. I even liked Coley’s step-siblings.
My biggest problem is the ending. The ending just kind of ruined everything for me, as I said, and I’m not happy about it. If it hadn’t been for the rest of the book, and I was only rating on the ending, this book would have only gotten two stars. Because I didn’t like it. I was even mad at it. Like, I wanted to throw the book across the room, and would have, were I the kind of person who did that.
I’ve read other books that ended like this one did. It’s a common ending, and while I would usually like more to the story, sometimes it even fits. This one, didn’t.
Usually when it ends like this, the reader is left feeling like everything is going to be okay, like the main character, and everyone around her, is going to find out the truth and deal with it, and that they are ready to deal with it. It’ll be hard, but they will be okay and are capable. I didn’t feel like that with this one.
In this book, it felt like the rest of the story still needed told. It felt like things were just getting started when the book ended. I mean, I do want more story, I would like to read how things fall apart and come together after this, but I also feel very unsatisfied, and like the story isn’t finished. There’s more to it, and I feel like I should get to read what that is.
I mean, I want to read her parents reactions to what happened, and I feel like there were several hints within the book that would lead to the readers' seeing how they reacted, that deserve coming to a head. I don’t feel like what’s going to happen next with Coley and Reece is settled in any way, and I feel that should be told. Also, Noah’s reaction to finding out. And how her brother is going to react, which will surely be bad.
I’m just… I’m really unsatisfied and upset and angry, and I feel like there should be more. I want a sequel, very badly, and I don’t think there’s going to be one. I want there to be, I think one deserves to be made, but I don’t think there will be one.
Nonetheless, I am still planning, and looking forward, to whatever Scott releases next.
This review is also available on my blog, with extras.
andintothetrees's review against another edition
3.0
The subject matter of this book is pretty depressing, and I found the book to be a bit one-dimensionally fixated on this storyline (a few side plots might have lightened it up a bit without taking away the seriousness of the main story). I liked the way the plot was resolved though & can imagine the book would be helpful reading for teenagers who have experienced sexual abuse. Aside from that, I didn't warm to main character Coley very much (she was too un-nerdy for me to relate to) but I did like the ski resort setting - I've never been anywhere similar but rather like the sound of it.
maryam162424's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book; it was different from other books with the same issue. I just think that sometimes I was confused with how she acted.. And that's one reason why if isn't 5 stars, and then the big cliffy as well! But it was a good book! A bit intense but still great.
losetimereading's review against another edition
3.0
Live Through This has been on my TBR for a while now… since before it was released actually. I didn’t hesitate when I seen this at the library, I knew I had to pick it up and read it straight away.
Let’s start with the characters before anything. Coley, the main character, besides having an awesome name was great. She was totally realistic for a teenager. Her emotions with dealing with her best friend, her first major boyfriend, her feelings toward her stepfather; it was all so true for a teenage girl. She was also an extremely raw character. Her constant personal battles with the abuse and her inner conversations almost forced me into tears so many times. Coley was so brave. So strong. A fantastic, well crafted main character. Reece, Coley’s boyfriend was ADORABLE. I freaking loved this kid. He was so incredibly kind and sweet. All that aside my absolute favorite part about Reece was that he wasn’t the popular boy. I loved that he was in a band, was a little bit geeky and more often than not, corny. I also really enjoyed the strong family presence in Live Through This. Coley’s mother was just a great mom, and I loved that the parents were so present in this book. And the triplets. Gosh they were adorable… and hilarious! Brian(Coley’s older brother) was hard to judge for me though. He was so standoffish throughout the novel and the real perspectives we had were from Coley flashbacks about previous times. It’s obvious that Brian was really damaged from the previous years abuse.
Now… the pacing. I know this is a story about abuse so as I read I knew that the issue of abuse would eventually be confronted but for a large part of the novel I felt like it a love story. As much as I loved Reece, I wish that was not as big of a focus. I understand that the process of her falling in love for the first time is directly related to her abuse and her struggle with it but I just would have liked to see a much larger focus on the main topic at hand. It’s not unlike, What Happens Next, which I also had the same problem with.
That being said, once the abuse came more to the forefront of the novel I was incredibly shocked at who the abuser was. I mean astonished. I was reading this on the train to work and literally had to go back several pages because I was certain I had missed something. I had a ton of guesses in my mind, and perhaps I overlooked dropped hints but I was stunned. And it absolutely crushed me. Once I realized what was happening, you would have been hard pressed to find me without tears every couple of pages.
The only other problem that I had with the novel was the ending. Now, don’t get me wrong, the ending was fantastic and for a while I thought I would end the book with throwing it at the wall in frustration but it was done very well. I was satisfied with the outcome of the entire situation however I would have liked to have more. I don’t want to spoil the ending so I have to be rather elusive but I would have liked to see the outcome after the fact.
Even with my issues, and I seem to be one of the only ones who didn’t LOVE it, it’s a fantastic book. I really enjoyed Mindi Scott’s easy to read writing style and her character building was phenomenal. If you like contemporaries that deal with tough topics(sexual abuse) then I definitely recommend Live Through This. You won’t be disappointed.
Let’s start with the characters before anything. Coley, the main character, besides having an awesome name was great. She was totally realistic for a teenager. Her emotions with dealing with her best friend, her first major boyfriend, her feelings toward her stepfather; it was all so true for a teenage girl. She was also an extremely raw character. Her constant personal battles with the abuse and her inner conversations almost forced me into tears so many times. Coley was so brave. So strong. A fantastic, well crafted main character. Reece, Coley’s boyfriend was ADORABLE. I freaking loved this kid. He was so incredibly kind and sweet. All that aside my absolute favorite part about Reece was that he wasn’t the popular boy. I loved that he was in a band, was a little bit geeky and more often than not, corny. I also really enjoyed the strong family presence in Live Through This. Coley’s mother was just a great mom, and I loved that the parents were so present in this book. And the triplets. Gosh they were adorable… and hilarious! Brian(Coley’s older brother) was hard to judge for me though. He was so standoffish throughout the novel and the real perspectives we had were from Coley flashbacks about previous times. It’s obvious that Brian was really damaged from the previous years abuse.
Now… the pacing. I know this is a story about abuse so as I read I knew that the issue of abuse would eventually be confronted but for a large part of the novel I felt like it a love story. As much as I loved Reece, I wish that was not as big of a focus. I understand that the process of her falling in love for the first time is directly related to her abuse and her struggle with it but I just would have liked to see a much larger focus on the main topic at hand. It’s not unlike, What Happens Next, which I also had the same problem with.
That being said, once the abuse came more to the forefront of the novel I was incredibly shocked at who the abuser was. I mean astonished. I was reading this on the train to work and literally had to go back several pages because I was certain I had missed something. I had a ton of guesses in my mind, and perhaps I overlooked dropped hints but I was stunned. And it absolutely crushed me. Once I realized what was happening, you would have been hard pressed to find me without tears every couple of pages.
The only other problem that I had with the novel was the ending. Now, don’t get me wrong, the ending was fantastic and for a while I thought I would end the book with throwing it at the wall in frustration but it was done very well. I was satisfied with the outcome of the entire situation however I would have liked to have more. I don’t want to spoil the ending so I have to be rather elusive but I would have liked to see the outcome after the fact.
Even with my issues, and I seem to be one of the only ones who didn’t LOVE it, it’s a fantastic book. I really enjoyed Mindi Scott’s easy to read writing style and her character building was phenomenal. If you like contemporaries that deal with tough topics(sexual abuse) then I definitely recommend Live Through This. You won’t be disappointed.
mrs_george's review against another edition
4.0
I love this author's writing style! The characters were well-thought out. I liked the MC a lot and it was refreshing to have a YA MC who wasn't an exaggerated version of a teenager. I would've liked more of a conclusion as it left on a point with so many questions. I look forward to reading more by this author.