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xkaylynelizabeth's review against another edition
5.0
Raw. That's what this book was. Raw and realistic. I loved every minute of it.
anacarter's review against another edition
3.0
Full Review on my blog!
Not the type of book I would usually read, but it was a good, I actually enjoyed it. As you probably read from the book description, Other Broken Things is about teenaged alcoholism. I felt like the author did a great job at describing alcoholism and how addiction is a disease. The writing was good and the characters were written well.
Natalie was a boxer, and when her parents got her to stop boxing, she filled a hole inside of herself with alcohol. She befriends some other partiers and slips into a hole of drinking to fill up the anger inside of her. Some bad stuff happens, and here we are. Natalie is just out of rehab and now in court-ordered AA after a DUI. She’s not really sure why all this has happened to her — she just likes to party like everyone else! At AA she meets Joe, an older man who shows an interest in her and hopes to get her off the booze and on track, but their relationship goes from friends to having feelings for each other.
Yes, she likes to party but she doesn’t realize that alcohol is her go-to everyday; in the mornings, at school, at night. Natalie is an alcoholic and she doesn’t want to admit it at first.
As the story progresses you get a feel for the life she lives and you get to know her really well; Natalie is unlikable at times; she isn’t a very nice person to anyone in her life. Natalie character was flawed and so imperfect that she was actually believable.
Other Broken Things was a powerful, young adult novel that recognizes the damage that alcoholism can cause. I wasn’t impressed with the ending….. But it’s as real as it gets. Other Broken Things by Christa Desir wasn’t one of those books that I absolutely loved, but it was a good book, and you should pick up if you want a change in a different kind of YA.
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Not the type of book I would usually read, but it was a good, I actually enjoyed it. As you probably read from the book description, Other Broken Things is about teenaged alcoholism. I felt like the author did a great job at describing alcoholism and how addiction is a disease. The writing was good and the characters were written well.
Natalie was a boxer, and when her parents got her to stop boxing, she filled a hole inside of herself with alcohol. She befriends some other partiers and slips into a hole of drinking to fill up the anger inside of her. Some bad stuff happens, and here we are. Natalie is just out of rehab and now in court-ordered AA after a DUI. She’s not really sure why all this has happened to her — she just likes to party like everyone else! At AA she meets Joe, an older man who shows an interest in her and hopes to get her off the booze and on track, but their relationship goes from friends to having feelings for each other.
Yes, she likes to party but she doesn’t realize that alcohol is her go-to everyday; in the mornings, at school, at night. Natalie is an alcoholic and she doesn’t want to admit it at first.
As the story progresses you get a feel for the life she lives and you get to know her really well; Natalie is unlikable at times; she isn’t a very nice person to anyone in her life. Natalie character was flawed and so imperfect that she was actually believable.
Other Broken Things was a powerful, young adult novel that recognizes the damage that alcoholism can cause. I wasn’t impressed with the ending….. But it’s as real as it gets. Other Broken Things by Christa Desir wasn’t one of those books that I absolutely loved, but it was a good book, and you should pick up if you want a change in a different kind of YA.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook | Store
jhahn's review against another edition
3.0
The plot and writing was good but I thought some "scenes" were gratuitous for me. Just not a big fan.
addymcgee's review against another edition
4.0
I’m going to be frank here - this book is all too real. As someone who has fought with addiction for far too many years I felt this hard.
tlefler's review against another edition
4.0
A gritty realistic story about addiction. Still not sure how I feel about the romantic involvement with an older AA member but otherwise very good. Recommended for older high school for obvious reasons.
lucysyvarth's review against another edition
5.0
*hand slap over mouth* THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME (tied with Stolen) BUT ITS SO FREAKING GOOD. the whole time you’re reading it, you don’t know who you’re rooting for. the protagonist goes through so many ups and downs and bad decisions that you can’t help but want to help her. but then there’s a big twist which makes you think if the good guy really is a good guy and if the bad guy really is a bad guy. TW: alcohol and alcoholism is very abundant in this book if you’re not triggered by those things, it’s gives you a lot of insight on how alcoholics think and behave. ugh so much love for this book❤️
kk_reads's review
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
val_eria's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 stars
I'm not exactly sure what I thought this book would be like when going into to it, but it sure as hell wasn't that. The concept was good; however, I don't think it was executed in the way it should have. My main issue was the characters and the relationships they have. It all felt very rushed and there was no build up of trust. The ending left me content enough though.
I'm not exactly sure what I thought this book would be like when going into to it, but it sure as hell wasn't that. The concept was good; however, I don't think it was executed in the way it should have. My main issue was the characters and the relationships they have. It all felt very rushed and there was no build up of trust. The ending left me content enough though.
museofbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Natalie is a selfish, spoiled girl and honestly i couldn't stand her most of the times. She treated everyone around her like a garbage, doesn't even stop to give an explanation to the person who needed it most
And then there's joe. At first i thought he would be an ABBA's Does your Mother Know kind of guy, only participate in teasing for a little bit, but not too much... but then that sex happened. I think he regretted it almost immediately, so that's that i guess
I know Natalie said the consent age in Illinois is 17, but that still doesn't change the fact that she's only 17, a literal high school teenager whose not even reach 20 yet, and joe is a bloody 38 years old man. It was uncomfortable to read for me. That's why i was super relieved because he chose to go away in the end
But on the positive notes, this book portrays alcoholic persons quite good, the AA, the community service, Natalie's efforts to stay sober, those gave me new perspective
And then there's joe. At first i thought he would be an ABBA's Does your Mother Know kind of guy, only participate in teasing for a little bit, but not too much... but then that sex happened. I think he regretted it almost immediately, so that's that i guess
I know Natalie said the consent age in Illinois is 17, but that still doesn't change the fact that she's only 17, a literal high school teenager whose not even reach 20 yet, and joe is a bloody 38 years old man. It was uncomfortable to read for me. That's why i was super relieved because he chose to go away in the end
But on the positive notes, this book portrays alcoholic persons quite good, the AA, the community service, Natalie's efforts to stay sober, those gave me new perspective
katrinamarie's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Bookish Things & More
This is my first book to read by Desir, and I loved it! It's dark, gritty, emotional, and true.
Desir doesn't sugar coat anything. You get it all whether it's pretty or not. And I absolutely love that. We don't get a girl who is completely perfect with small struggles. We get a girl who is trying to cope with addiction. Natalie gets ignored by her friends when she doesn't want to party anymore, and there may even be some relapses. She finds unlikely friends to help support her through her journey to sobriety.
Desir also has no problem with sex topics. She shows Natalie's experiences and doesn't make it all rainbows and sunshine. Sometimes sex is just that, sex. And it's not always because someone is loved or what have you. The person is there and it's convenient.
Natalie is also trying to deal with her own situation, and with her parents. Her dad is pretty much a prick. And I can't stand him. But her mom, is pretty great, even though Natalie doesn't always see that.
I think Other Broken Things is great at showing the struggles of addiction, and finding your place when it seems like everyone you thought cared about you leaves.
Review
This is my first book to read by Desir, and I loved it! It's dark, gritty, emotional, and true.
Desir doesn't sugar coat anything. You get it all whether it's pretty or not. And I absolutely love that. We don't get a girl who is completely perfect with small struggles. We get a girl who is trying to cope with addiction. Natalie gets ignored by her friends when she doesn't want to party anymore, and there may even be some relapses. She finds unlikely friends to help support her through her journey to sobriety.
Desir also has no problem with sex topics. She shows Natalie's experiences and doesn't make it all rainbows and sunshine. Sometimes sex is just that, sex. And it's not always because someone is loved or what have you. The person is there and it's convenient.
Natalie is also trying to deal with her own situation, and with her parents. Her dad is pretty much a prick. And I can't stand him. But her mom, is pretty great, even though Natalie doesn't always see that.
I think Other Broken Things is great at showing the struggles of addiction, and finding your place when it seems like everyone you thought cared about you leaves.