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togidemi's review
4.0
A lot of Sam's actions seem to happen just because the plot demanded it, and there's one thing - what Sam DID AT SCHOOL *cue shocked gasps*- that gets hyped up in the book that turns out to be a massive disappointment. However, I really adored this book. It's funny and warm and sweet and everyone you're meant to love - the De Lainey family especially (who I love to absolute pieces) - are so, so lovable. Familial love bursts through every page of this book. (The romance was cute, but the love for family was what really got me.) I smiled, laughed, teared up. IDK MAN. THIS JUST FILLED MY HEART
Additionally, I love how Drews makes use of page space with words she wants to emphasize. (If you read it, you know what I mean.) It's a technique I've always wanted to see utilized more in fiction.
Additionally, I love how Drews makes use of page space with words she wants to emphasize. (If you read it, you know what I mean.) It's a technique I've always wanted to see utilized more in fiction.
wjb11's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While I did enjoy this book, it gives (especially the beginning) a very much big vibe of I hate my autistic sibling they are the cause of all my problems, and as an autistic person that made me angry and anxious that my siblings hated me for that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Abandonment, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
sydverse's review
4.5
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to read an ARC of Drew’s newest novel (don’t let the forest in) and it became an easy all time favorite, so I wanted to look into their backlog and see what other books they’ve written. I finished this book in two sittings and was completed enraptured. This was a beautiful story about overcoming abuse and learning how to make connections in the face of those hardships. Sam and Avery both managed to sneak into my heart and make me care so deeply for them, same with the De Lainey family. I think the ending was a perfect ending as a stand alone story, and then I found out about the sequels (so excited to dive into them!!). I also don’t often read books with autistic characters, and I found the portrayal of Avery (and Sam? from what I read between the lines as well as what I know about future books) wonderful to read, and I adored their undying loyalty for each other, they would do absolutely anything to protect the other.
I think my only complaint is the pacing at times, and I didn’t particularly care for Vin as an antagonist. She feels more like a comic book super villain at times and I think her inclusion wasn’t entirely necessary. Sam and Avery have precarious life circumstances regardless of Vin’s existence and I don’t think this book entirely needed an external antagonist to have something working against Sam and Avery (when we already have their traumatic pasts and Sam’s situation with the police/Avery’s difficulty with work and the difficulties his autism cause for me). Just lowered my enjoyment a bit, maybe she’ll feel more necessary in future installments, maybe not.
Regardless of those small complaints, this is a book I’ll never forget. Drews is, at least in the circles I’m in, is an incredibly underrated author and I plan to read every book they have ever/will ever write.
adelle_bookworm's review
4.0
4,5*, dost blízko k pěti, upřímně nad tou pětkou pořád přemýšlím. Protože tohle bylo sakra něco a já ani pořádně nevím, co k tomu říct. Podobně jako u autorčiny předchozí knížky tu bolí číst skoro každou stránku, a stejně to je plné naděje a rodinné lásky a jo, asi zase bulím :'D
cosmo_junk's review
4.0
tw for violence
Heavy Drama. has an autistic character who is not a child which is great. i really liked the found family aspect, and the romance was kinda cute.
Heavy Drama. has an autistic character who is not a child which is great. i really liked the found family aspect, and the romance was kinda cute.
anikaslibrary's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book had me sobbing buckets, depressed and yet I still couldn't put it down. I was excited to keep reading every time. It's such a heartfelt story, you really grow attached to the characters. It is truly a beautiful story and made me feel everything. I felt like I was highlighting every 2 seconds because there are so many lines in this book that are pure art and many times where I couldn't help but praise the author for her incredible imagery and humor amidst the dark themes. I have never read books with an autistic character but I have met many people in my life that are autistic and to see the inner-workings of their brains and the issues they go through were incredibly heartbreaking to hear. And Sammy's love for his brother makes me want to bundle him up and haul him away so he can be safe and protected.
The De Laineys are wonderful people andthe fact that the social worker was trying to keep Sammy away from Avery just goes to show that the system doesn’t care about kids, just about trying to set them right.
I love that the story ended beautifully with not a resolution to everything but everything that Sammy cares about. It's an ending that promotes the fact that cycles can be broken, and it starts with listening and caring about people. It’s a real ending, albeit a sad one.
This just makes me so excited to read more of CG Lewis’ books!
The De Laineys are wonderful people and
I love that the story ended beautifully with not a resolution to everything but everything that Sammy cares about. It's an ending that promotes the fact that cycles can be broken, and it starts with listening and caring about people. It’s a real ending, albeit a sad one.
This just makes me so excited to read more of CG Lewis’ books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Ableism, and Violence
votesforwomen's review
4.0
Brilliance, sheer brilliance.
Sammy Lou captured my heart. He's so precious and so desperate. Poor little baby. He deserved far better than he got--he deserved a home and a family and parents who loved him and all Moxie's love and aghhhhh my child. <3 I also appreciated the way the autism rep was done--I know Cait is autistic herself and I thought it was wonderfully done in Avery. The fact that he has such real struggles and difficulties but is still such a loving, passionate individual...I don't see that much and I think it's lovely. Well done on that front, Cait <3
Moxie and her sibling struggles was awesome. Also, the twins. Loved them.
The storyline was a little weak--I got a bit confused by the backstory occasionally, although for the most part I thought it was wonderfully done. And the whole De Lainey family and their house and thier chaos...this whole book was written with such love and sweetness and AGH I adored it.
Also, can we just talk about that cover? ALL THE LOVE.
Content for those who will want to know:
There's a lot more cussing in this than in 1000 Perfect Notes. It never gets above the s-word but there are a few of those. Mr. De Lainey does yell about the cussing a lot, though, and it felt pretty realistic xD also, one of the side characters is bisexual and there's some kissing and all that jazz. It never felt too heavy or uncomfortable, though. The biggest concern is the violence (abuse, someone gets hit by a car, punching, fist fights, worse fights...yeah xD)
This was beautiful and I looooved it. 4 stars <3
Sammy Lou captured my heart. He's so precious and so desperate. Poor little baby. He deserved far better than he got--he deserved a home and a family and parents who loved him and all Moxie's love and aghhhhh my child. <3 I also appreciated the way the autism rep was done--I know Cait is autistic herself and I thought it was wonderfully done in Avery. The fact that he has such real struggles and difficulties but is still such a loving, passionate individual...I don't see that much and I think it's lovely. Well done on that front, Cait <3
Moxie and her sibling struggles was awesome. Also, the twins. Loved them.
The storyline was a little weak--I got a bit confused by the backstory occasionally, although for the most part I thought it was wonderfully done. And the whole De Lainey family and their house and thier chaos...this whole book was written with such love and sweetness and AGH I adored it.
Also, can we just talk about that cover? ALL THE LOVE.
Content for those who will want to know:
There's a lot more cussing in this than in 1000 Perfect Notes. It never gets above the s-word but there are a few of those. Mr. De Lainey does yell about the cussing a lot, though, and it felt pretty realistic xD also, one of the side characters is bisexual and there's some kissing and all that jazz. It never felt too heavy or uncomfortable, though. The biggest concern is the violence (abuse, someone gets hit by a car, punching, fist fights, worse fights...yeah xD)
This was beautiful and I looooved it. 4 stars <3
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.0
“He's officially taken house burglary to the next level. Forget stealing a bed, a key, a home for the night. He's stealing families and their Sunday lunches.”
➽ I finally read The Boy Who Steals Houses and really enjoyed it! I loved the author's blog and still remember when she talked about writing this project, so I was excited that it ended up getting published! It still took me a while to get around to reading it, as I knew this would be super sad and heartbreaking 😢 The premise is so intriguing, as it follows 15-year-old Sam who 'steals' houses as he dreams of having a real home one day. Abandoned by his abusive father and hated by his aunt, Sam doesn't have anywhere to stay. He breaks into empty houses when people are away on vacation or have moved out. Sam doesn't have anyone left except for his older brother Avery, who is autistic and struggling to hold onto his mechanic job. Both of them are underage, but had to leave their aunt's home, as she didn't want them and was horribly ableist to Avery.
➽ I really felt for Sam. He's always had to take care of his brother, as most adults just tried to 'fix' Avery instead of helping him. Sam's always worried someone will take advantage of his brother because he often misses social cues and can be too kind-hearted. There was a lot of love between the brothers, but also so much pain. It is a complicated relationship, as Sam feels responsible for fixing Avery's messes and often acts like the older brother. Meanwhile, Avery struggles with Sam starting fights for him, as it triggers bad memories. Throughout the book, Sam and Avery have very different ideas of what their future might look like, especially once Sam grows closer to the De Lainey family. I have to admit that I struggled with Avery sometimes as I felt like he took his brother's support for granted.
➽ I also loved the De Lainey family! Sam messes up and ends up sleeping in a house that's very much inhabiated, though very chaotic. Through sheer luck, he ends up growing closer to the other kids, as it's a big family and everyone assumes someone else invited him. Sam feels guilty, but it's so nice to enjoy a normal day and be part of a family. Without them, he's practically homeless and no one knows his past, so it feels like he has friends for the first time. The De Lainey family is messy and not perfect, but there is so much love there that draws in Sam like a beacon. I didn't really feel the romance between him and Moxie, but I liked their friendship! I was afraid Moxie would be too 'quirky' for me, but I liked that the story focused on her struggles with her family and grief for her mother. I felt for her conflicting emotions and frustration with always being delegated as the babysitter, just because she's the oldest girl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Blood, Ableism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent
fairytalearista's review
5.0
This book can be summed up in four words:
Breaking a tragic cycle.
It's about a boy who had to fight life from childhood - abandoned by his mother, his father dumped him and his autistic older brother on an aunt who wasn't prepared or willing to deal with a special-needs child. They grew up and Sam grew violent trying to fend off the bullies, who also failed to understand Avery.
And now he's trapped. His violence has landed him on the streets and he still has to look out for his older brother.
And he's still only fifteen.
But the beauty of this book is that it shows that, no matter how deep you get, cycles CAN be broken. Good people do exist, and help can be found.
And Cait's writing style is just art, okay? Pardon me, a moment. Someone's chopping invisible onions. I need to go tell them to stop.
Breaking a tragic cycle.
It's about a boy who had to fight life from childhood - abandoned by his mother, his father dumped him and his autistic older brother on an aunt who wasn't prepared or willing to deal with a special-needs child. They grew up and Sam grew violent trying to fend off the bullies, who also failed to understand Avery.
And now he's trapped. His violence has landed him on the streets and he still has to look out for his older brother.
And he's still only fifteen.
But the beauty of this book is that it shows that, no matter how deep you get, cycles CAN be broken. Good people do exist, and help can be found.
And Cait's writing style is just art, okay? Pardon me, a moment. Someone's chopping invisible onions. I need to go tell them to stop.