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leahegood's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Summary
Sammy Lou is 15 and on his way to jail if the police ever catch up to him. He never meant to be this way--punching people and breaking into houses--but how else is he supposed to prevent people from hurting his older, autistic brother and how else is he supposed to get the tiny tastes of home that he so desperately, secretly craves?
And then, one day, his house stealing goes terribly wrong in the most terrifyingly perfect way. He wakes up in a stolen house to find the family home, and they catch him sneaking out. To his astounded shock, though, they all think he belongs, assuming he's one sibling or another's friend. The stolen sense of being wanted is more than Sammy Lou can resist, but it's only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down. He knows that. And he still can't force himself to turn away.
My Thoughts
After I got over the inital surprise of third person, present tense narration this story sucked me in right away. You can't help but feel sympathy for Sam's situation--his desperation to protect his brother, his efforts to ignore his wish for someone to protect him, his dream for a home and all the wrong ways he goes about trying to acheive that dream because there really aren't any other options available to him.
There's some typical MG/YA "lets keep the parents out of the picture as long as possible" storytelling that was both a slight need to suspend disbelief and also, as an older reader, a sense of "please, kids, don't do this at home." If I had read this in my early teens, this element would have been total wish fulfillment, though, even if I knew it wasn't realistic. And I appreciated the depiction of healthy fatherhood and compassionate manhood in Mr. De Lainey, even if he was a bit overly oblivious for the sake of the YA genre.
The word selection in this book was delicious. "He thinks of Moxie and her sewing needles and thimbles and her lemony frown."
I also appreciated that, while the story (rightly so) cast Sam in a sympathetic light and dwelled in the "honeymoon phase" of his introduction to the De Lainey family, it avoided acting like a friendly family and a high school romance could heal a lifetime of abuse and neglect. The ending was textbook for a hope-infused ending that didn't unrealistically solve every probelm.
Content
Romance: Sam finds Moxie attractive (his mental admiration is PG and generally respectful) and, as their friendship progresses, his reactions to her physical proximity are sometimes described. For example, as she's giving him a haircut: "...she goes on, unaware of the explosions happening under her fingertips every time she touches him." Later on in the story, the two cuddle (again, not descriptive) and kiss (not descriptive but frequent). One of Moxie's older brothers is also dating and one brother's ex-boyfriend is mentioned in passing. Her brother's collectively give Sam the "protective big brother" speech.
Language: Some minor swearing is spelled out and more swearing is implied. The De Lainey father routinely disciplines his children for swearing.
Violence: Sam's childhood memories are filled with neglect and abuse. He sometimes lashes out in frantic defense of others and is injured multiple times throughout the story. Though nothing is graphic, the poetic descriptions may invoke more vivid imagery for readers with good imaginations and sensitive hearts.ima
Religion: The De Lainey's mother was catholic and the children still attend a Catholic school. None of the characters in the story seem to be religious and religion is not discussed outside of the De Lainey's explaining certain family rules that exist out of respect for their mother's faith.
Sammy Lou is 15 and on his way to jail if the police ever catch up to him. He never meant to be this way--punching people and breaking into houses--but how else is he supposed to prevent people from hurting his older, autistic brother and how else is he supposed to get the tiny tastes of home that he so desperately, secretly craves?
And then, one day, his house stealing goes terribly wrong in the most terrifyingly perfect way. He wakes up in a stolen house to find the family home, and they catch him sneaking out. To his astounded shock, though, they all think he belongs, assuming he's one sibling or another's friend. The stolen sense of being wanted is more than Sammy Lou can resist, but it's only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down. He knows that. And he still can't force himself to turn away.
My Thoughts
After I got over the inital surprise of third person, present tense narration this story sucked me in right away. You can't help but feel sympathy for Sam's situation--his desperation to protect his brother, his efforts to ignore his wish for someone to protect him, his dream for a home and all the wrong ways he goes about trying to acheive that dream because there really aren't any other options available to him.
There's some typical MG/YA "lets keep the parents out of the picture as long as possible" storytelling that was both a slight need to suspend disbelief and also, as an older reader, a sense of "please, kids, don't do this at home." If I had read this in my early teens, this element would have been total wish fulfillment, though, even if I knew it wasn't realistic. And I appreciated the depiction of healthy fatherhood and compassionate manhood in Mr. De Lainey, even if he was a bit overly oblivious for the sake of the YA genre.
The word selection in this book was delicious. "He thinks of Moxie and her sewing needles and thimbles and her lemony frown."
I also appreciated that, while the story (rightly so) cast Sam in a sympathetic light and dwelled in the "honeymoon phase" of his introduction to the De Lainey family, it avoided acting like a friendly family and a high school romance could heal a lifetime of abuse and neglect. The ending was textbook for a hope-infused ending that didn't unrealistically solve every probelm.
Content
Romance: Sam finds Moxie attractive (his mental admiration is PG and generally respectful) and, as their friendship progresses, his reactions to her physical proximity are sometimes described. For example, as she's giving him a haircut: "...she goes on, unaware of the explosions happening under her fingertips every time she touches him." Later on in the story, the two cuddle (again, not descriptive) and kiss (not descriptive but frequent). One of Moxie's older brothers is also dating and one brother's ex-boyfriend is mentioned in passing. Her brother's collectively give Sam the "protective big brother" speech.
Language: Some minor swearing is spelled out and more swearing is implied. The De Lainey father routinely disciplines his children for swearing.
Violence: Sam's childhood memories are filled with neglect and abuse. He sometimes lashes out in frantic defense of others and is injured multiple times throughout the story. Though nothing is graphic, the poetic descriptions may invoke more vivid imagery for readers with good imaginations and sensitive hearts.ima
Religion: The De Lainey's mother was catholic and the children still attend a Catholic school. None of the characters in the story seem to be religious and religion is not discussed outside of the De Lainey's explaining certain family rules that exist out of respect for their mother's faith.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Abandonment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, and Sexual content
adi_sarang's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
donatio's review
No rating bc Idk.
This novel should have trigger warnings in the front, I personally felt too much chaos energy from it which made me far more uncomfortable than I would like while reading. Everything felt stressed and overshadowed while the ending was so fast and sudden. Like suddenly he's going to find a good way? I'm not buying that.
Vivid description, liked that but in combination with the chaotic and stressful scenes it made me imagine too much.
This novel should have trigger warnings in the front, I personally felt too much chaos energy from it which made me far more uncomfortable than I would like while reading. Everything felt stressed and overshadowed while the ending was so fast and sudden. Like suddenly he's going to find a good way? I'm not buying that.
Vivid description, liked that but in combination with the chaotic and stressful scenes it made me imagine too much.
togidemi's review
4.0
A lot of Sam's actions seem to happen just because the plot demanded it, and there's one thing - what Sam DID AT SCHOOL *cue shocked gasps*- that gets hyped up in the book that turns out to be a massive disappointment. However, I really adored this book. It's funny and warm and sweet and everyone you're meant to love - the De Lainey family especially (who I love to absolute pieces) - are so, so lovable. Familial love bursts through every page of this book. (The romance was cute, but the love for family was what really got me.) I smiled, laughed, teared up. IDK MAN. THIS JUST FILLED MY HEART
Additionally, I love how Drews makes use of page space with words she wants to emphasize. (If you read it, you know what I mean.) It's a technique I've always wanted to see utilized more in fiction.
Additionally, I love how Drews makes use of page space with words she wants to emphasize. (If you read it, you know what I mean.) It's a technique I've always wanted to see utilized more in fiction.
wjb11's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
3.5
While I did enjoy this book, it gives (especially the beginning) a very much big vibe of I hate my autistic sibling they are the cause of all my problems, and as an autistic person that made me angry and anxious that my siblings hated me for that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Abandonment, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
sydverse's review
4.5
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to read an ARC of Drew’s newest novel (don’t let the forest in) and it became an easy all time favorite, so I wanted to look into their backlog and see what other books they’ve written. I finished this book in two sittings and was completed enraptured. This was a beautiful story about overcoming abuse and learning how to make connections in the face of those hardships. Sam and Avery both managed to sneak into my heart and make me care so deeply for them, same with the De Lainey family. I think the ending was a perfect ending as a stand alone story, and then I found out about the sequels (so excited to dive into them!!). I also don’t often read books with autistic characters, and I found the portrayal of Avery (and Sam? from what I read between the lines as well as what I know about future books) wonderful to read, and I adored their undying loyalty for each other, they would do absolutely anything to protect the other.
I think my only complaint is the pacing at times, and I didn’t particularly care for Vin as an antagonist. She feels more like a comic book super villain at times and I think her inclusion wasn’t entirely necessary. Sam and Avery have precarious life circumstances regardless of Vin’s existence and I don’t think this book entirely needed an external antagonist to have something working against Sam and Avery (when we already have their traumatic pasts and Sam’s situation with the police/Avery’s difficulty with work and the difficulties his autism cause for me). Just lowered my enjoyment a bit, maybe she’ll feel more necessary in future installments, maybe not.
Regardless of those small complaints, this is a book I’ll never forget. Drews is, at least in the circles I’m in, is an incredibly underrated author and I plan to read every book they have ever/will ever write.
adelle_bookworm's review
4.0
4,5*, dost blízko k pěti, upřímně nad tou pětkou pořád přemýšlím. Protože tohle bylo sakra něco a já ani pořádně nevím, co k tomu říct. Podobně jako u autorčiny předchozí knížky tu bolí číst skoro každou stránku, a stejně to je plné naděje a rodinné lásky a jo, asi zase bulím :'D
cosmo_junk's review
4.0
tw for violence
Heavy Drama. has an autistic character who is not a child which is great. i really liked the found family aspect, and the romance was kinda cute.
Heavy Drama. has an autistic character who is not a child which is great. i really liked the found family aspect, and the romance was kinda cute.
anikaslibrary's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-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
This book had me sobbing buckets, depressed and yet I still couldn't put it down. I was excited to keep reading every time. It's such a heartfelt story, you really grow attached to the characters. It is truly a beautiful story and made me feel everything. I felt like I was highlighting every 2 seconds because there are so many lines in this book that are pure art and many times where I couldn't help but praise the author for her incredible imagery and humor amidst the dark themes. I have never read books with an autistic character but I have met many people in my life that are autistic and to see the inner-workings of their brains and the issues they go through were incredibly heartbreaking to hear. And Sammy's love for his brother makes me want to bundle him up and haul him away so he can be safe and protected.
The De Laineys are wonderful people andthe fact that the social worker was trying to keep Sammy away from Avery just goes to show that the system doesn’t care about kids, just about trying to set them right.
I love that the story ended beautifully with not a resolution to everything but everything that Sammy cares about. It's an ending that promotes the fact that cycles can be broken, and it starts with listening and caring about people. It’s a real ending, albeit a sad one.
This just makes me so excited to read more of CG Lewis’ books!
The De Laineys are wonderful people and
I love that the story ended beautifully with not a resolution to everything but everything that Sammy cares about. It's an ending that promotes the fact that cycles can be broken, and it starts with listening and caring about people. It’s a real ending, albeit a sad one.
This just makes me so excited to read more of CG Lewis’ books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Ableism, and Violence