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manda_reads's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
2.0
Usually I like or love books written in verse but I felt this one was lackluster and boring. I do not think that my boredom stemmed from the topics discussed in the book. I actually find the topics in this book to be pretty intriguing. My boredom was plain and simple due to my burgeoning dislike of the main character Rynn’s personality. I found Rynn to be naïve ,immature, and whiny at times. This book reads more like a middle grade novel rather than the teen novel it is categorized as.
asevcik's review
4.5
The emotions I felt in this book were all over the place. There were times I was happy and sad at the same time. I think that is probably a true representation of life in the foster system or for those adopted. I can’t know from experience but the author drew from her own experiences to help shape the story so I am confident they are very real experiences for some.
I was surprised by the writing style and didn’t think I’d like it but I really did enjoy it. I think it worked very well to tell a story from a child’s perspective in a poetic manner.
I was surprised by the writing style and didn’t think I’d like it but I really did enjoy it. I think it worked very well to tell a story from a child’s perspective in a poetic manner.
lokiisreading's review
This is one of those books that shouldn’t have been written in verse…
annie_lovesbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
readingonfordearlife's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review (along with a giveaway!) and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This emotionally compelling novel in verse is a bittersweet portrayal of the complexities of adoption. Rynn has wondered her whole life where she came from. She’s always known she was adopted, but since the adoption was closed, she doesn’t know anything about her birth family. And, to complicate matters more, her relationship with her volatile adoptive mother ranges from strained to miserable, depending on the day. As an adoptive mom myself, I’ll admit that sometimes this book was tough to read. It doesn’t paint a pretty picture of the joys of adoptive families. Rynn’s pain over missing out on her biological ties is palpable, and her adoptive family life is unfortunately pretty terrible because of her mom (she does have a close relationship with her dad, though).
But, families are families, right? Some are idyllic and some are pretty rough, whether they’re biological or adoptive. And I know firsthand that adoption does add an extra layer of complexity (and difficulty) to the parent-child relationship. There is trauma there that can sometimes feel impossible to navigate. In the case of my family, we have gotten to a really good place, but there were times when my son was young (he was adopted at age three-and-a-half) that I questioned everything. It wasn’t the easy transition that gets portrayed in the after-school-specials about adoption. This book portrays the realities of growing up feeling like something is missing in your life (I’ve had nights where I had to sit with my kiddo and try to help him process the fact that his family “gave him away”). And it depicts the very real difficulties that come with navigating painful family relationships, whether they are biological or not. But in the end, the book gives us hope for the resilience of the human spirit. As Rynn discovers her family ties, she also finds that she can stand up for herself (and her newly-discovered younger sister) in ways she never imagined. And she realizes that the ties she has with friends may be some of the most valuable in her life as well—and that family can be defined in many ways.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Media Masters Publicity so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This emotionally compelling novel in verse is a bittersweet portrayal of the complexities of adoption. Rynn has wondered her whole life where she came from. She’s always known she was adopted, but since the adoption was closed, she doesn’t know anything about her birth family. And, to complicate matters more, her relationship with her volatile adoptive mother ranges from strained to miserable, depending on the day. As an adoptive mom myself, I’ll admit that sometimes this book was tough to read. It doesn’t paint a pretty picture of the joys of adoptive families. Rynn’s pain over missing out on her biological ties is palpable, and her adoptive family life is unfortunately pretty terrible because of her mom (she does have a close relationship with her dad, though).
But, families are families, right? Some are idyllic and some are pretty rough, whether they’re biological or adoptive. And I know firsthand that adoption does add an extra layer of complexity (and difficulty) to the parent-child relationship. There is trauma there that can sometimes feel impossible to navigate. In the case of my family, we have gotten to a really good place, but there were times when my son was young (he was adopted at age three-and-a-half) that I questioned everything. It wasn’t the easy transition that gets portrayed in the after-school-specials about adoption. This book portrays the realities of growing up feeling like something is missing in your life (I’ve had nights where I had to sit with my kiddo and try to help him process the fact that his family “gave him away”). And it depicts the very real difficulties that come with navigating painful family relationships, whether they are biological or not. But in the end, the book gives us hope for the resilience of the human spirit. As Rynn discovers her family ties, she also finds that she can stand up for herself (and her newly-discovered younger sister) in ways she never imagined. And she realizes that the ties she has with friends may be some of the most valuable in her life as well—and that family can be defined in many ways.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Media Masters Publicity so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
bookbuyingwithkatie's review
challenging
emotional
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
krytygr's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a wonderful story of how not all family is tied by blood. That some bonds run deeper. It portrays that some people want nothing to do with the past, no matter how much it means to someone else or how many answers it may hold.
z_brarian's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story. A novel in verse about adoption, self-discovery, family and longing. Rynn just wants to find her birth family, has a terrible relationship with adoptive mother and a close one with her adoptive father. When she finally does some research, she discovers a sister she didn’t know and a way to fill the hole in her heart and a birth mother who left bread crumbs to find her true self and her family. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!