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hammy91's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Rape
5 stars. Zack Smedley is an amazing writer. Period. Deposing Nathan ripped my heart out but this book DESTROYED ME. So many emotions creating a tornado in me through the span of three days and I'm still processing. The message of this book is so important that even though Zach Smedley's books literally are the hardest books to make recommendations about, I'm still gonna say: Please read it and cry with me. The fact that he wrote this in the darkest year 2020 makes it even more admiring. Even having motivation to write at all during that time is impressive, but they manage to come out with a masterpiece. This books is heartbreaking and it's gonna wreck you with every paragraph you read so a helpful advice, read with a box of tissues.betweentheshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Right off the bat, the way that Smedley captures emotion in this book is phenomenal. His characters are multi-dimensional, and flipping between past and present really helps in making them unique and fully fleshed out. Your heart will ache for Owen right from the beginning, and you'll be rooting for him for the rest of the book.
I also appreciated the care that Smedley took with domestic abuse and sexual assault. Too often, domestic abuse situations for teens are just written off because they are teens. But Smedley breaks down the affects this relationship had on Owen, and the way the assault completely changed his ability to trust people. The way that Smedley reveals the assaulter both through Owen's journal entries and what happens at school effectively keeps you grounded in this story.
Additionally, there's rep in here that you don't see in a lot of YA books: Owen is on the autism specturm and is also bisexual. From my perspective, I think this was well done, but I'd have to seek out an own voices review to make sure. But you can see how it affects his relationships and how it intertwines with his reactions to his assault.
Be warned, this is a highly emotional book, but one that will be difficult to put down once you get into. Owen has a strong voice, and I liked this so much, I think I'll have to go back and read Smedley's first book!
I also appreciated the care that Smedley took with domestic abuse and sexual assault. Too often, domestic abuse situations for teens are just written off because they are teens. But Smedley breaks down the affects this relationship had on Owen, and the way the assault completely changed his ability to trust people. The way that Smedley reveals the assaulter both through Owen's journal entries and what happens at school effectively keeps you grounded in this story.
Additionally, there's rep in here that you don't see in a lot of YA books: Owen is on the autism specturm and is also bisexual. From my perspective, I think this was well done, but I'd have to seek out an own voices review to make sure. But you can see how it affects his relationships and how it intertwines with his reactions to his assault.
Be warned, this is a highly emotional book, but one that will be difficult to put down once you get into. Owen has a strong voice, and I liked this so much, I think I'll have to go back and read Smedley's first book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
Minor: Animal death
Owen's dad has PTSD, and there are a few scenes describing the effects in detail.
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