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scearceka's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me so emotional. I laughed, I cried... and I cried... and I cried. It's so raw and real and just sucks you in right from the start. Such a true testament to what people in this situation go through, not just the individual affected but also their family, friends, and other relationships. I just can't recommend this book enough!
azexplorer's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. I was drawn in quickly and the characters were well done. Tough topic done right!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
3.0
Os capítulos intercalam os pontos de vista de Branson e Tara.
Ele é um adolescente que está enfrentando problemas na escola, que escuta vozes e enxerga coisas que ninguém mais vê. Ele não entende o que está acontecendo e nem sabe explicar o que sente. Expressa seus pensamentos em seu diário, mas não tem muitos amigos com quem conversar. Embora tome antidepressivos, não apresenta melhoras. Observando alguns de seus comportamentos, logo é possível ver que se trata de um caso ainda mais complicado. Na verdade, ele sofre de esquizofrenia, uma doença que afeta o cérebro, causando alucinações, delírios, alterações de comportamento, estado de confusão mental, dentre outros.
A Tara é mãe dele e de mais três crianças. Viveu tempos muito infelizes em seu casamento e se divorciou. Ela faz de tudo pelos filhos, principalmente por Branson, mas é uma personagem um tanto controversa. Acredito que os leitores não vão gostar das atitudes que ela toma pra tentar defender o filho. Enquanto eu lia, por várias vezes me peguei pensando que ele não era o único que precisava de ajuda.
A autora conseguiu mostrar bem como essa doença é confusa para a pessoa que a enfrenta e também para os que estão ao seu redor. Quando você lê os capítulos do Branson, você acredita em tudo. Também não consegue separar o que é real do que não é. Nos capítulos da Tara, vemos que as coisas não são bem assim.
A narrativa foi bem desenvolvida. Vemos o quanto as pessoas que sofrem com doenças mentais sofrem preconceito, e o quanto isso torna tudo ainda mais difícil. Vemos a família evoluindo e entendendo o caminho que precisam seguir. Ele pode não ser o cara mais popular da escola, mas tem sim pessoas que o amam e que torcem para que se recupere. Acho que esses são pontos importantes para leitores que possam estar enfrentando situações parecidas.
Mas também tem alguns pontos que me incomodaram, que não concordei as atitudes, ou com frases ditas... A mãe faz cada besteira, meu deusssssssss... É complicado.
Não acho que vá ser um livro mega aclamado, mas fico feliz por darem espaço para um personagem assim existir e talvez ajudar outras pessoas a buscarem ajuda também.
Ele é um adolescente que está enfrentando problemas na escola, que escuta vozes e enxerga coisas que ninguém mais vê. Ele não entende o que está acontecendo e nem sabe explicar o que sente. Expressa seus pensamentos em seu diário, mas não tem muitos amigos com quem conversar. Embora tome antidepressivos, não apresenta melhoras. Observando alguns de seus comportamentos, logo é possível ver que se trata de um caso ainda mais complicado. Na verdade, ele sofre de esquizofrenia, uma doença que afeta o cérebro, causando alucinações, delírios, alterações de comportamento, estado de confusão mental, dentre outros.
A Tara é mãe dele e de mais três crianças. Viveu tempos muito infelizes em seu casamento e se divorciou. Ela faz de tudo pelos filhos, principalmente por Branson, mas é uma personagem um tanto controversa. Acredito que os leitores não vão gostar das atitudes que ela toma pra tentar defender o filho. Enquanto eu lia, por várias vezes me peguei pensando que ele não era o único que precisava de ajuda.
A autora conseguiu mostrar bem como essa doença é confusa para a pessoa que a enfrenta e também para os que estão ao seu redor. Quando você lê os capítulos do Branson, você acredita em tudo. Também não consegue separar o que é real do que não é. Nos capítulos da Tara, vemos que as coisas não são bem assim.
A narrativa foi bem desenvolvida. Vemos o quanto as pessoas que sofrem com doenças mentais sofrem preconceito, e o quanto isso torna tudo ainda mais difícil. Vemos a família evoluindo e entendendo o caminho que precisam seguir. Ele pode não ser o cara mais popular da escola, mas tem sim pessoas que o amam e que torcem para que se recupere. Acho que esses são pontos importantes para leitores que possam estar enfrentando situações parecidas.
Mas também tem alguns pontos que me incomodaram, que não concordei as atitudes, ou com frases ditas... A mãe faz cada besteira, meu deusssssssss... É complicado.
Não acho que vá ser um livro mega aclamado, mas fico feliz por darem espaço para um personagem assim existir e talvez ajudar outras pessoas a buscarem ajuda também.
deafandbookish's review against another edition
4.0
Not exactly a thriller like I thought it would be but was a well written novel about a young man battling mental illness and also his mother's side of it.
summertime17's review against another edition
5.0
This story is emotional and raw. It also shows what a mother will do to protect her son. No length to too much.
The struggle to find friends with a mental illness is real. But when you find out you don’t know if the voice you trust is real, how do you come back from that?
This story is so real and happens every day in someone’s world. A lot goes in noticed. Mental illness needs more light shown and this book shined in my opinion.
The struggle to find friends with a mental illness is real. But when you find out you don’t know if the voice you trust is real, how do you come back from that?
This story is so real and happens every day in someone’s world. A lot goes in noticed. Mental illness needs more light shown and this book shined in my opinion.
piperkitty's review against another edition
4.0
like how this book has chapters for each character. To get to know thier versions of this story. This book flows really well. This is a very well though out book and shows the struggles of mental health extremely well. Tara has twins and her part of the story in flow when the twins tell there's. I think because of the subject matter it was hard to grip into this book was noted as a Thriller on good reads and other places it is psychological. This is a very emotional book and pulls in your heart strings.
karajay's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I liked this book, though it certainly wasn't what I was expecting. It was described as a thriller and I definitely wouldn't put this book in that category. It is much more a book about mental illness. I can't speak to the accurateness of the mental illness portrayal, but it was interesting. I enjoyed the story and following Branson through what he was dealing with. I was less of a fan of the mother's perspective, but I do actually think that's an interesting take on this story.
If you're interested in books about mental health give this one a shot, but don't expect a thriller!
I liked this book, though it certainly wasn't what I was expecting. It was described as a thriller and I definitely wouldn't put this book in that category. It is much more a book about mental illness. I can't speak to the accurateness of the mental illness portrayal, but it was interesting. I enjoyed the story and following Branson through what he was dealing with. I was less of a fan of the mother's perspective, but I do actually think that's an interesting take on this story.
If you're interested in books about mental health give this one a shot, but don't expect a thriller!
readinggrrl's review against another edition
5.0
There are many books out there with characters with mental illness and not all of them really show you the ripple effect that has on the family, and the people around them. Based on Billiters own mental health family struggles this one hits it out of the ballpark.
I was drawn in from the first and as the book goes along I wanted to cry for the whole family. The loss of who a person was to who they become when the mental illness takes hold, the struggle of the person suffering, trying to navigate through life. The blame a parent feels and the struggle to hold it together for your child is all in here and tears at your heart.
Written in alternating chapters you see the point of view of Tara the single parent to four children, and the point of view of Branson one half of twins who has been struggling with mental health issues since 8th grade. Now a senior in high school his symptoms are getting worse and its time for him to reach out for help.
I can't say enough about this book. With so many families struggling with mental health issues its time we take this out and start talking about it. Having positive conversations about it and stop shying away and looking disapprovingly at those who are struggling. Fabulous book and I can't say enough good things about it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I was drawn in from the first and as the book goes along I wanted to cry for the whole family. The loss of who a person was to who they become when the mental illness takes hold, the struggle of the person suffering, trying to navigate through life. The blame a parent feels and the struggle to hold it together for your child is all in here and tears at your heart.
Written in alternating chapters you see the point of view of Tara the single parent to four children, and the point of view of Branson one half of twins who has been struggling with mental health issues since 8th grade. Now a senior in high school his symptoms are getting worse and its time for him to reach out for help.
I can't say enough about this book. With so many families struggling with mental health issues its time we take this out and start talking about it. Having positive conversations about it and stop shying away and looking disapprovingly at those who are struggling. Fabulous book and I can't say enough good things about it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
tashareads412's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who lives with mental illness everyday I really liked that Billiter had the story in two points of view and then in three. Showing the story from the mother, Tara’s point of view and the son, Branson’s point of view, who actually has the mental illness. Then they throw in Trevor’s point of view which I think adds a lot more dimension to the story! Reading what Branson is going through and how tough it is on his mom really shows that when someone has mental illness they aren’t the only ones that it effects. Even though it might effect them the most it has an effect on everyone they love. As the story goes on it’s interesting to see how Branson’s mental illness develops and how he’s been dealing with it for so long. Also, the ending kind of reminded me of the movie Split, it was just the ending though the rest of the story was all it’s own it even talks about a different mental illness than Split. I think it’s important that more people are aware of mental illnesses, how many there actually are, and how it really effects the person and the people around them. I think this book is perfect for people to kind of know how it might effect peoples lives even though it’s fiction it’s a perfect book to kind of get an idea and kind of a stepping stone if you want to learn more.
becsa's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting book that was based on some of the author’s own experience with her own son. I couldn’t imagine going through some of the things in the book and my heart broke for Branson and the boy in real life that it was based on.
I thought Branson was a great character but that being said I struggled a little knowing some of it was based on a real life. His journals were so personal and it allowed us to look inside what he was going through and you could see he was struggling. As the book went on you were happy that he had Trevor and Dakota by his side but then at one point you are just at an OMG state with what you learn.
I really struggled with the character of Tara as I personally really hated all the name dropping of the brands she was wearing and had. I am a single mom who struggles to make ends meet and Tara just seemed so disconnected with her kids but we knew what kind of shoes she liked and she went on about them. I have gone through trying to figure out medical diagnosis for my one of my kids and I understand that anguish as well but I felt like Tara really had no idea what her priorities were and really needed everything to be perfect and follow a certain formula. I was impressed at the lengths she went to get back at those who did Branson wrong but it really cost her so much.
I admired Dr. Cordova and Clive Turina for really having Branson’s best interests and wanting the best for him and not backing down to his parents.
I was super proud of Branson for accepting the help and knowing he needed to do all of this for himself!
I thought Branson was a great character but that being said I struggled a little knowing some of it was based on a real life. His journals were so personal and it allowed us to look inside what he was going through and you could see he was struggling. As the book went on you were happy that he had Trevor and Dakota by his side but then at one point you are just at an OMG state with what you learn.
I really struggled with the character of Tara as I personally really hated all the name dropping of the brands she was wearing and had. I am a single mom who struggles to make ends meet and Tara just seemed so disconnected with her kids but we knew what kind of shoes she liked and she went on about them. I have gone through trying to figure out medical diagnosis for my one of my kids and I understand that anguish as well but I felt like Tara really had no idea what her priorities were and really needed everything to be perfect and follow a certain formula. I was impressed at the lengths she went to get back at those who did Branson wrong but it really cost her so much.
I admired Dr. Cordova and Clive Turina for really having Branson’s best interests and wanting the best for him and not backing down to his parents.
I was super proud of Branson for accepting the help and knowing he needed to do all of this for himself!