Reviews

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews

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fairytalearista's review against another edition

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.

cerys_m's review

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emotional hopeful tense fast-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

maryam16080208's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.25

Content Warnings

hellonada's review against another edition

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3.0

‘Life punched you to your knees when you were little, so you freaked out and fought back. None of this is right or good or – or fair. It’s so, so unfair. But I won’t stop forgiving you.’
‘Everybody leaves.’
‘I’m not leaving.’

nitzanschwarz's review against another edition

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4.0

Okay, so this is not going to be a long review but I did want to say a few things. First of all: I love Cait and her writing is SO RELATABLE. I feel like I'm talking to a friend so that naturally means I feel very connected to these characters. Which is why....

I AM NOT OKAY WITH CAIT HURTING THEM 98.76% OF THE TIME.

Seriously, can you just... not?

I general, I really loved these characters, thought the adults in Sammy and Avery's life were SHIT, *adored* the romance, and really wanted some more fun times. Like, is that really SO MUCH TO ASK for Cait???

Also, 10/10 autistic rep, loved seeing a "different kind" of autistic aside for the regular one who can't stand people touching them. There is more than one type of autism, after all. My brother & best friend is not the type often shown in the media, so people often don't realize their difficulties, and that both sucks and works for them because that also means there is less stigma. So, in general, we need to both educate people more AND erase all those stupid notions of needing "to fix" autistic people. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Also, I would really really want to know how come Sam is wanted for

assult

while douchebag is apparently a saint when he

BROKE Avery's arm???? I mean that is so upsetting.

Also also I kind of want a Jeremy book. A safe way to peek into what happens after TBWSH but also have some good gay romance, please. And, umm, if you could make his counterpart not live in hell, I'd much appreciate it. Thanks, Cait.