Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
very readable, not as good
I'll Be There is a cute, unrealistic YA novel about two brothers who are mistreated and neglected by their miscreant father. The older brother, Sam, meets Emily and there's an immediate connection. But, he's guarded about his family life and his younger brother, Riddle, who has developmental and health issues. Without giving anything away, the father isn't pleased when he finds out about his son's new relationship and a lot of trouble ensues.
I gave it 3 stars because it kept me interested, surprised me where it took the plot, but overall was extremely unrealistic and.....simple. The book felt so young, if that makes sense and I know, I know it's a YA novel but that isn't an excuse to be written in such a juvenile way.
Definitely a fast, fun read!
I gave it 3 stars because it kept me interested, surprised me where it took the plot, but overall was extremely unrealistic and.....simple. The book felt so young, if that makes sense and I know, I know it's a YA novel but that isn't an excuse to be written in such a juvenile way.
Definitely a fast, fun read!
Emily Bell has lived a privledged life. Sam Border has not. Emily Bell lives in a nice house, loving parents, plays on the school soccer team, and is being forced to sing a solo at church despite her medicore voice. Sam lives where ever his mentally unstable father decides to camp out for a few months, hasn't been to school since second grade, and loves to sneak into churches and listen to music on Sunday mornings. That's where Sam and Emily meet and through their friendship begin to understand how vastly different the world can be.
What I really loved about this book is the story about Riddle and Sam. They have a great bonded relationship that develops well and changes as their circumstances change. The relationship there spoke to me more than any other. I think I wanted a little more action from Emily throughout the book and more deveolpment between Emily and Sam.
What I really loved about this book is the story about Riddle and Sam. They have a great bonded relationship that develops well and changes as their circumstances change. The relationship there spoke to me more than any other. I think I wanted a little more action from Emily throughout the book and more deveolpment between Emily and Sam.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A unique and captivating love story. My heart broke for Sam and Riddle in this book. Overall it was a hopeful story that reminded me of the ways in which we care for others & how important it is to do so.
Amazing, amazing, amazing. Truly. I wasn't sure if I was going to like I'll Be There but now, I'm really, really glad I read it in the first place. The premise of the plot is simple but completely believable. Sam and Riddle have been raised by an unstable father who constantly moves the family. It doesn't take a genius to realize that their father, Clarence, is a schizophrenic. This makes him really, really dangerous. But thus far, Sam and Riddle have survived. Then, Sam meets Emily Bell, and everything changes. They share an immediate and intense attraction and the boys are soon welomed into the Bell home. But when Clarence finds out, he is convinced he has been betrayed and he sets all of them down a course that will change their lives forever.
I will admit, when I first read that I'll Be There drew some inspiration from the Jackson 5 tune, I was afraid that it was going to turn out to be one of those ridiculous songfics you see online. But rest assure, I'll Be There is anything but that.
Instead, it tells the earnest and endearing story of Sam and Riddle, two boys who have survived living with a schizophrenic father. Their lives are not a simple one. They scouraged dump sites for food and daily necessities. They don't take showers very often and they don't have that many clean clothes either. I'll Be There is very much their story, so much so that I feel sort of cheated when it comes to the other characters. They're mentioned, yes, and we know a little about them but not enough. There isn't much on Sam and Emily's relationship even though, apparently, they share an intense connection and it was this relationship that brought the boys into the Bell home. The romance really takes a back seat and apart from certain scenes, you'd never remember that they were in a relationship in the first place.
But what I did love about I'll Be There is the myraid of characters it hosts. Like I said before, we don't get an in-depth look into their lives, not like Sam and Riddle, but I love how, when reading from their perspective, we see how seemingly random strangers can play a part in our lives. There are certain scenes in the book where I'm sure, while reading it, you'll go, "This is not possible! This is unreal!" But I think, as you read on, and the more you think about it, those situations really can happen and it's amazing to see how it all works out.
The blurb for I'll Be There says that it's "beautifully written and emotionally profound, it's a story about connections both big and small, and deftly explores the many ways that our lives are woven together" and I couldn't agree more. Definitely recommended!!
I will admit, when I first read that I'll Be There drew some inspiration from the Jackson 5 tune, I was afraid that it was going to turn out to be one of those ridiculous songfics you see online. But rest assure, I'll Be There is anything but that.
Instead, it tells the earnest and endearing story of Sam and Riddle, two boys who have survived living with a schizophrenic father. Their lives are not a simple one. They scouraged dump sites for food and daily necessities. They don't take showers very often and they don't have that many clean clothes either. I'll Be There is very much their story, so much so that I feel sort of cheated when it comes to the other characters. They're mentioned, yes, and we know a little about them but not enough. There isn't much on Sam and Emily's relationship even though, apparently, they share an intense connection and it was this relationship that brought the boys into the Bell home. The romance really takes a back seat and apart from certain scenes, you'd never remember that they were in a relationship in the first place.
But what I did love about I'll Be There is the myraid of characters it hosts. Like I said before, we don't get an in-depth look into their lives, not like Sam and Riddle, but I love how, when reading from their perspective, we see how seemingly random strangers can play a part in our lives. There are certain scenes in the book where I'm sure, while reading it, you'll go, "This is not possible! This is unreal!" But I think, as you read on, and the more you think about it, those situations really can happen and it's amazing to see how it all works out.
The blurb for I'll Be There says that it's "beautifully written and emotionally profound, it's a story about connections both big and small, and deftly explores the many ways that our lives are woven together" and I couldn't agree more. Definitely recommended!!
This is a super sweet book with tons of compelling characters. I love the way the narration spills out through so many perspectives.
I did think elements of the ending were like a little too much but, like, whatever.
A sweet, tween-friendly romance/adventure/mystery.
I did think elements of the ending were like a little too much but, like, whatever.
A sweet, tween-friendly romance/adventure/mystery.
This book is perfect. I absolutely adored it and would not change a single thing!