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kba76's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this before publication.
When you think of someone who is homeless you are likely to have a very specific image in your head. You may have some ideas of how they came to be in that position, but how does it impact on people on a daily basis? In The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling we are encouraged to see a little deeper.
Our two characters are Violet and Freddie. Violet is about to start a new school; after the death of her grandmother her family can’t afford private school for both her and her brother. Freddie has been homeless for months, and all we know is that it has something to do with his father’s alcoholism and his stepmother.
Ignoring the plausibility element, Freddie finds himself living in the attic of Violet’s home while they are on holiday. He wants to save money to find a room to rent. When Violet discovers him (when he saves her from a phone overly keen young boy invited over while her parents are away) she doesn’t react in the way you’d expect. She finds a way to support him.
What follows may be unlikely, but it made for a positive story in spite of covering some pretty unpleasant stuff. It helps that those concerned are seemingly decent characters, trying to do the right thing and trying hard.
When you think of someone who is homeless you are likely to have a very specific image in your head. You may have some ideas of how they came to be in that position, but how does it impact on people on a daily basis? In The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling we are encouraged to see a little deeper.
Our two characters are Violet and Freddie. Violet is about to start a new school; after the death of her grandmother her family can’t afford private school for both her and her brother. Freddie has been homeless for months, and all we know is that it has something to do with his father’s alcoholism and his stepmother.
Ignoring the plausibility element, Freddie finds himself living in the attic of Violet’s home while they are on holiday. He wants to save money to find a room to rent. When Violet discovers him (when he saves her from a phone overly keen young boy invited over while her parents are away) she doesn’t react in the way you’d expect. She finds a way to support him.
What follows may be unlikely, but it made for a positive story in spite of covering some pretty unpleasant stuff. It helps that those concerned are seemingly decent characters, trying to do the right thing and trying hard.
biancareadsbook's review
4.0
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Thank you to the publisher, Wisewolf Books for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review
The concept of this book is so unique and I genuinely didn’t know what to expect but I really liked it. The story is really quick but has a deep meaning and really made me appreciate what I had more.
The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling is a touching story filled with hope, friendship, forgiveness and family. The story is told from the perspectives of Freddie and Violet, which I really enjoyed in this case. Freddie is homeless and he has to carry a secret that is slowly crushing him. His story really focuses on how people react to those on the outskirts of society – most would ignore or go around them and it’s true. Violet has her own problems too. Her family is slowly crumbling and she’s moving schools. She doesn’t want to burden her already fighting family with her problems and so she has no one to talk to.
The main characters are so relatable and real. They have their problems and faults and struggle to deal with them. As I mentioned, the plot and concept of this book is different and unique but keeps you hooked hoping to learn more. I wanted to know what Freddie was hiding and when I found out I felt so bad for him. The dialogue between all characters was raw and filled with emotion. One of my favorite scenes has to be when Freddie called out Aisla for being mean. Even if the topics were heavy, Cara Thurlbourn approached them with care and in a subtle way.
Read more on my blog here
bookchainedsoul's review
4.0
I loved this book and was able to relate to it very strongly, which makes me even more thankful to the publisher Wise Wolf Books for providing me with a review copy.
I absolutely recommend this book for teens (15+). I think this is something that most people can relate to in some with with the experiences of these characters. Freddie is thoughtful and interesting and very easy to sympathise with but in a way that stems from respecting him and his development. Violet was one of my favourite aspects of the book. Many of her life experience reflect my own, both with school and family, which made me relate to her a lot and love this book. I found common ground with these characters and felt very understood by their attitudes and hopes. However, my similarity to Violet also meant I could feel how authentic these characters are. They’re brilliantly written, well developed, and the issues they face, I felt, were very well understood and described.
In fair warning, this book does deal with several serious issues including homelessness, sexual assault and grief. I found them to be very well handled, at least as far as my experience goes, and written, at times, rather beautifully in a way that makes you better understanding the different perspectives of each.
For the main storyline, the relationship between Violet and Freddie. As I liked them so much individually, I also found a deep affection for their relationship. Their friendship developed very well and was described equally as beautifully as the rest of the plot lines.
I absolutely, 100% recommended this book (just try to ignore the use of the word soccer instead of football).
I absolutely recommend this book for teens (15+). I think this is something that most people can relate to in some with with the experiences of these characters. Freddie is thoughtful and interesting and very easy to sympathise with but in a way that stems from respecting him and his development. Violet was one of my favourite aspects of the book. Many of her life experience reflect my own, both with school and family, which made me relate to her a lot and love this book. I found common ground with these characters and felt very understood by their attitudes and hopes. However, my similarity to Violet also meant I could feel how authentic these characters are. They’re brilliantly written, well developed, and the issues they face, I felt, were very well understood and described.
In fair warning, this book does deal with several serious issues including homelessness, sexual assault and grief. I found them to be very well handled, at least as far as my experience goes, and written, at times, rather beautifully in a way that makes you better understanding the different perspectives of each.
For the main storyline, the relationship between Violet and Freddie. As I liked them so much individually, I also found a deep affection for their relationship. Their friendship developed very well and was described equally as beautifully as the rest of the plot lines.
I absolutely, 100% recommended this book (just try to ignore the use of the word soccer instead of football).
rgarli905's review
5.0
This book is about about a young boy who ends up homeless after a tragic event left him abandoned by his family. He is living on the streets when circumstances lead him to moving into the attic of a family without them realising that is until he meets Violet, the teenage who lives in the bedroom below the attic. The story is told from the perspectives of both the main characters and portrays how hard life can be for both of them despite their very different lives. This is a story of grief, homelessness, forgiveness and much more. A beautifully written book and throughly enjoyable.
alinavale's review
4.0
I saw this new thing that from now on, I’d like to add to my reviews.
Subjective rating:5/5
Writing:3,5/5
Plot:4/5
Characters:4/5
Themes:5/5
Content Warnings:Abuse, assault, homelessness, trauma, depression, death. If I forgot any of them, I apologise, the CWs will immediately be added.
You know those books that make you cry your soul out because you are in love with the story? The Boy Who Lived in The Ceiling is one of them.
I’d like to thank @wisewolfbooks on Instagram for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Going into this book, my expectations were really low because firstly, i had heard nothing about it before and second, better to be satisfied than disappointed, right?
Cara Thurlbourn surprised me so much with her book that now, it has become my mission to talk about it and recommend it to everyone.
So here’s the plot:
Freddie’s life isn’t like it used to be – he’s alone, homeless, and carrying a secret that threatens to swallow him up. Every day is a struggle. Until he meets Violet Johnson.
Violet’s life is going down-hill. Her parents argue, her little brother’s stopped speaking, and she’s about to move schools. She used to be popular, she used to be happy, but now every day is a struggle. Until Freddie enters her life.
Despite their differences, Freddie and Violet grow closer. Freddie’s nightmares begin to fade. He stops having panic attacks. And he can’t believe that Violet Johnson actually likes him back.
But Freddie’s past is catching up with him, and what will happen when Violet finds out what he did?
(From Amazon’s website)
I did not read the last sentence of this description and therefore, it was a little bit of a surprise to me.
-WRITING-
The writing of this novel is pretty average, like most other YA contemporary books, though it could have been a lot stronger. The messages were given pretty straight forward, which i found a little annoying. If the book made the reader think more about the discussions in the book, it would have been truly enchanting. However, I can say that the book really flows and does not get heavy on the reader, which shows you will probably not get overwhelmed by it being on your CR list for five months.
-THE CHARACTERS-
Most of the characters in the book were both average and had deep personalities. Therefore, this saved them from falling flat and becoming boring. Each life in the book was both realistic an fascinatingly detailed and different. Freddie is definitely my favourite here and on my best-characters-to-exist list. What i liked the most about him was his kindness… the way he treated Vi, Jay, Scruff and everyone else is just so, so precious to me.
Violet is fine as a character, though she was not as developed as Freddie was. The reader cannot really get into her head which makes it feel like something is missing.
I LOVELOVELOVE JAY! He is just the sweetest boy to exist!
-THE PLOT-
The plot of this book was absolutely beautiful and fast paced. It is in my opinion original, which is becoming more and more uncommon in YA. Realistic yet fantastical, heartbreaking yet heartwarming, happy yet sad. While reading, you will cry, then smile, then cry some more.
-THEMES-
The themes dealt with in this book are mostly absent in YA books i have read and heard about. Homelessness, a really big issue in our society, is finally shown to the readers from different perspectives and feels like a slap on the reader’s conscience.
One thing that I am still thinking about is the suit vs dirty, worn clothes. Freddie, the main character, finds a cheap suit and goes into shops with it on, asking for money/free food/coffee pretending he lost his card or wallet. Surprisingly, people offer Freddie food, coffee and paying for him in suits, and not in his “homeless outfit”. Just how cruel are people, who help the ones who appear to need less than the ones who truly are in need?
-FAVOURITE MOMENTS/QUOTES/SCENES-
Freddie’s Christmas plans - chapter 24
“Freddie turned away. Tears were clambering at the backs of his eyes, threatening to strea down his cheeks. […] He turned back nod wiped his eyes. ‘It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever gotten me.’ He held it to his chest. How could something so ridiculous, and iPod for heaven’s sake, suddenly make him feel human again? How could he ever make her see that she had just given him a piece of himself back? A lifeline. A window to the world outside the attic. He couldn’t. So he just said, ‘Thank you,’ and hugged her back.” - chapter 26
“‘I didn’t know you were religious.’ It was violet’s voice, and Freddie opened his eyes to se a shimmering version of her sitting beside him. This kind of thing had happened before. After his mum had died, he used t see her all the time— in the kitchen, the street, at the end of his bed. He put his head back into his hands.
‘Freddie, are you okay?’ This time, Violet was touching his leg, and when he looked up, she suddenly came into focus.
‘It’s you.’
‘Yes. It’s me.’” chapter 48
“‘Darling Freddie,
Come home, and we’ll make it right.
It wasn’t your fault.
Yours, always and always, Violet.’
Freddie stared at the words.
‘It wasn’t your fault.’” - chapter 62
“If he had his own space, he’d be able to distract himself from remembering. He’d be able to watch TV or read or listen to music, and his thoughts wouldn’t get the better of him. she’d have somewhere to keep his clothes, so they’d stay clean and uncrumpled. He’d be able to sleep. Proper, deep sleep because he wouldn’t be worried that someone was going to steal his things or tell him to move on. He’d be a person again, and he’d be able to find a job. It didn’t matter what it was. He’d do anything.he had good grades and he was polite. Someone would hire him. And then maybe he’d bump into Violet somewhere and he’d have the courage to speak to her.” - chapter 11
“Someone—Violet, it had to have been Violet—had strung fairy lights from the beams. He blinked disbelievingly; his lonely sleeping bag had turned into something that actually resembled a bed, with little blanket-pillows and a small box beside it for a table. He brushed his fingers through his hair and tried to force the moisture away from his eyes.
Violet had made him a home.” - chapter 17
Subjective rating:5/5
Writing:3,5/5
Plot:4/5
Characters:4/5
Themes:5/5
Content Warnings:Abuse, assault, homelessness, trauma, depression, death. If I forgot any of them, I apologise, the CWs will immediately be added.
You know those books that make you cry your soul out because you are in love with the story? The Boy Who Lived in The Ceiling is one of them.
I’d like to thank @wisewolfbooks on Instagram for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Going into this book, my expectations were really low because firstly, i had heard nothing about it before and second, better to be satisfied than disappointed, right?
Cara Thurlbourn surprised me so much with her book that now, it has become my mission to talk about it and recommend it to everyone.
So here’s the plot:
Freddie’s life isn’t like it used to be – he’s alone, homeless, and carrying a secret that threatens to swallow him up. Every day is a struggle. Until he meets Violet Johnson.
Violet’s life is going down-hill. Her parents argue, her little brother’s stopped speaking, and she’s about to move schools. She used to be popular, she used to be happy, but now every day is a struggle. Until Freddie enters her life.
Despite their differences, Freddie and Violet grow closer. Freddie’s nightmares begin to fade. He stops having panic attacks. And he can’t believe that Violet Johnson actually likes him back.
But Freddie’s past is catching up with him, and what will happen when Violet finds out what he did?
(From Amazon’s website)
I did not read the last sentence of this description and therefore, it was a little bit of a surprise to me.
-WRITING-
The writing of this novel is pretty average, like most other YA contemporary books, though it could have been a lot stronger. The messages were given pretty straight forward, which i found a little annoying. If the book made the reader think more about the discussions in the book, it would have been truly enchanting. However, I can say that the book really flows and does not get heavy on the reader, which shows you will probably not get overwhelmed by it being on your CR list for five months.
-THE CHARACTERS-
Most of the characters in the book were both average and had deep personalities. Therefore, this saved them from falling flat and becoming boring. Each life in the book was both realistic an fascinatingly detailed and different. Freddie is definitely my favourite here and on my best-characters-to-exist list. What i liked the most about him was his kindness… the way he treated Vi, Jay, Scruff and everyone else is just so, so precious to me.
Violet is fine as a character, though she was not as developed as Freddie was. The reader cannot really get into her head which makes it feel like something is missing.
I LOVELOVELOVE JAY! He is just the sweetest boy to exist!
-THE PLOT-
The plot of this book was absolutely beautiful and fast paced. It is in my opinion original, which is becoming more and more uncommon in YA. Realistic yet fantastical, heartbreaking yet heartwarming, happy yet sad. While reading, you will cry, then smile, then cry some more.
-THEMES-
The themes dealt with in this book are mostly absent in YA books i have read and heard about. Homelessness, a really big issue in our society, is finally shown to the readers from different perspectives and feels like a slap on the reader’s conscience.
One thing that I am still thinking about is the suit vs dirty, worn clothes. Freddie, the main character, finds a cheap suit and goes into shops with it on, asking for money/free food/coffee pretending he lost his card or wallet. Surprisingly, people offer Freddie food, coffee and paying for him in suits, and not in his “homeless outfit”. Just how cruel are people, who help the ones who appear to need less than the ones who truly are in need?
-FAVOURITE MOMENTS/QUOTES/SCENES-
Freddie’s Christmas plans - chapter 24
“Freddie turned away. Tears were clambering at the backs of his eyes, threatening to strea down his cheeks. […] He turned back nod wiped his eyes. ‘It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever gotten me.’ He held it to his chest. How could something so ridiculous, and iPod for heaven’s sake, suddenly make him feel human again? How could he ever make her see that she had just given him a piece of himself back? A lifeline. A window to the world outside the attic. He couldn’t. So he just said, ‘Thank you,’ and hugged her back.” - chapter 26
“‘I didn’t know you were religious.’ It was violet’s voice, and Freddie opened his eyes to se a shimmering version of her sitting beside him. This kind of thing had happened before. After his mum had died, he used t see her all the time— in the kitchen, the street, at the end of his bed. He put his head back into his hands.
‘Freddie, are you okay?’ This time, Violet was touching his leg, and when he looked up, she suddenly came into focus.
‘It’s you.’
‘Yes. It’s me.’” chapter 48
“‘Darling Freddie,
Come home, and we’ll make it right.
It wasn’t your fault.
Yours, always and always, Violet.’
Freddie stared at the words.
‘It wasn’t your fault.’” - chapter 62
“If he had his own space, he’d be able to distract himself from remembering. He’d be able to watch TV or read or listen to music, and his thoughts wouldn’t get the better of him. she’d have somewhere to keep his clothes, so they’d stay clean and uncrumpled. He’d be able to sleep. Proper, deep sleep because he wouldn’t be worried that someone was going to steal his things or tell him to move on. He’d be a person again, and he’d be able to find a job. It didn’t matter what it was. He’d do anything.he had good grades and he was polite. Someone would hire him. And then maybe he’d bump into Violet somewhere and he’d have the courage to speak to her.” - chapter 11
“Someone—Violet, it had to have been Violet—had strung fairy lights from the beams. He blinked disbelievingly; his lonely sleeping bag had turned into something that actually resembled a bed, with little blanket-pillows and a small box beside it for a table. He brushed his fingers through his hair and tried to force the moisture away from his eyes.
Violet had made him a home.” - chapter 17
swordsandsweets's review
4.0
Thurlbourn wrote a touching story of belonging. I really liked this book. It had me thinking critically about homelessness, second chances, and family.
*I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review - thank you!*
*I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review - thank you!*
heidiandherbook's review
5.0
I loved this!!
This was a beautiful, heartbreaking novel about friendship, forgiving, letting go and allowing yourself to be happy. I loved this and I can’t wait for more by the author.
This was a beautiful, heartbreaking novel about friendship, forgiving, letting go and allowing yourself to be happy. I loved this and I can’t wait for more by the author.
dorothysbookshelf's review
5.0
#AD #gifted - A copy of this book was kindly gifted to me by the publisher, with hopes of a review. This does not change my opinion whatsoever.
When Wise Wolf Books reached out to me to discuss sending over a review copy of this book, the plot synopsis immediately intrigued me, and I accepted their offer.
Let me first begin by saying that I don’t often read contemporary young adult fiction, as I usually find it hit-or-miss. But wow. “The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling” was incredible. I cannot sum it up better than the blurb can: “Heartbreaking yet heartwarming”.
The book’s pacing was incredible, and I breezed through it in a few sittings - I just could not put in down!
On top of being such an amazingly written novel, the book dealt with difficult life topics, such as homelessness among young people, therapy, grief and alcoholism. I believe that it is so important for topics like those to be discussed within young adult media, and I’m so glad that Thurlbourn dealt with each topic tastefully.
Overall, I’d rate this book five stars out of five, and will definitely be returning to re-read this at a later date.
When Wise Wolf Books reached out to me to discuss sending over a review copy of this book, the plot synopsis immediately intrigued me, and I accepted their offer.
Let me first begin by saying that I don’t often read contemporary young adult fiction, as I usually find it hit-or-miss. But wow. “The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling” was incredible. I cannot sum it up better than the blurb can: “Heartbreaking yet heartwarming”.
The book’s pacing was incredible, and I breezed through it in a few sittings - I just could not put in down!
On top of being such an amazingly written novel, the book dealt with difficult life topics, such as homelessness among young people, therapy, grief and alcoholism. I believe that it is so important for topics like those to be discussed within young adult media, and I’m so glad that Thurlbourn dealt with each topic tastefully.
Overall, I’d rate this book five stars out of five, and will definitely be returning to re-read this at a later date.
delightful_reading's review
4.0
This was a heartfelt and poignant read about a boy without a home and a lonely girl.
Freddie's homeless. After accidentally finding an unlocked house, he decides to stay for a little while because the family is away on a 3 week vacation. But they come home early.
Violet's life is changing rapidly. Her parents are fighting and her brother stopped speaking. After returning home from vacation, she meets Freddie, who has been living in her family's attic.
The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling is a pretty powerful story of finding a place to belong. I did not want to put this novel down. Both narrators were really great and the writing style really made this an un-put-downable story!
All in all, this is heart-wrenching and heartwarming novel that you won't want to put down!
Many thanks to the publisher Wise Wolf Books for this eARC!
Freddie's homeless. After accidentally finding an unlocked house, he decides to stay for a little while because the family is away on a 3 week vacation. But they come home early.
Violet's life is changing rapidly. Her parents are fighting and her brother stopped speaking. After returning home from vacation, she meets Freddie, who has been living in her family's attic.
The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling is a pretty powerful story of finding a place to belong. I did not want to put this novel down. Both narrators were really great and the writing style really made this an un-put-downable story!
All in all, this is heart-wrenching and heartwarming novel that you won't want to put down!
Many thanks to the publisher Wise Wolf Books for this eARC!
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