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notinjersey's review
4.0
This book was chosen by my local Instagram book group and the author, who is also local, was kind enough to send me a copy. It was an accurate depiction of teenage angst in the 80s, and although I was a teen in the 90s, I could relate to a lot of it! I felt so badly for Megan, as she seemed to experience one bad thing after another. While she and Jason experienced insta-love, and that is not my favorite trope, I understand that feeling like this is accurate for teenagers! I can’t go too far into what happened to Megan because of spoilers, but I will say this book included drug and alcohol use and loss of a loved one.
kaylareadsbooks's review
5.0
I knew it. I knew it was going to make me cry. This was sweet, heartbreaking and so meaningful. I loved this and will for sure be reading more from this author!
purrfectpages's review
4.0
Keep What Remains is a touching coming of age story about first love. An added bonus? This story takes place in 1985. Be still my 80s loving heart!
In many ways, Megan is a typical fifteen year old. She’s in a hurry to grow up, obsessed with big hair and Prince, and feels stifled by her overprotective dad. But since her mom walked away from the family, Megan can’t help but feel a little lost. Thankfully she has a decent relationship with her older sister, Chelsea and a lifelong best friend in Tessa, her bolder other half.
Then Tessa introduces Megan to Jason. Although he doesn’t come from the best family, she finds herself drawn to him. Despite the warnings, Megan and Jason begin to date, falling for each other quickly. What follows is a surprisingly sweet love story that unfolds in unexpected ways.
I enjoyed this book. Sure, Megan makes some stupid decisions, but what teenager hasn’t? In fact, what teenager from THE 80s hasn’t?! (Hello, acid wash jeans?! Anyone? Bueller?) Not only is this a story about teenage love, it’s also a story about the importance of friendship. I have some friends that go back with me as far as the 80s, too. It’s fun to have someone you can reminisce with about those days that truly were, the time of your life.
Even if you’re not a fan of the 80s, (or just weren’t alive) I’d still recommend this book to anyone who wants to revisit those exciting firsts that unknowingly path the way to our future.
Thanks so much to Carrie Beamer for gifting a copy of her book to me for review!
P.S. Can 80s books count as historical fiction yet or even period pieces? Asking for a friend.
In many ways, Megan is a typical fifteen year old. She’s in a hurry to grow up, obsessed with big hair and Prince, and feels stifled by her overprotective dad. But since her mom walked away from the family, Megan can’t help but feel a little lost. Thankfully she has a decent relationship with her older sister, Chelsea and a lifelong best friend in Tessa, her bolder other half.
Then Tessa introduces Megan to Jason. Although he doesn’t come from the best family, she finds herself drawn to him. Despite the warnings, Megan and Jason begin to date, falling for each other quickly. What follows is a surprisingly sweet love story that unfolds in unexpected ways.
I enjoyed this book. Sure, Megan makes some stupid decisions, but what teenager hasn’t? In fact, what teenager from THE 80s hasn’t?! (Hello, acid wash jeans?! Anyone? Bueller?) Not only is this a story about teenage love, it’s also a story about the importance of friendship. I have some friends that go back with me as far as the 80s, too. It’s fun to have someone you can reminisce with about those days that truly were, the time of your life.
Even if you’re not a fan of the 80s, (or just weren’t alive) I’d still recommend this book to anyone who wants to revisit those exciting firsts that unknowingly path the way to our future.
Thanks so much to Carrie Beamer for gifting a copy of her book to me for review!
P.S. Can 80s books count as historical fiction yet or even period pieces? Asking for a friend.
bookishbastard's review
3.0
The author, Carrie Beamer, was kind enough to send me a copy of Keep What Remains after reading another review of mine where I ripped the book a new asshole. I'm not sure if she was drunk, or maybe she's just a glutton for punishment. But I read her book... and here are my thoughts.
Megan is a 15 year old girl who meets a boy at a party and instantly falls in love with him. I kept thinking, "OMG she's only hung out with him 3 times and is already in love with him!!! Noooo!!!!" My only problem with this is that it was way too real for me. I fall in love way too easily, and it usually ends in heartbreak (not including my marriage).
The first half of the book was really slow to me because I had no idea where the story was headed. I feel like a chapter teasing the ending (without giving it away) would have made me want to keep reading more. That said, the second half is phenomenal. I say this because if you read the book, you need to understand that the first half is a slow burn, but the second half is full steam ahead. I literally sat here and read the entire second half of the book in one sitting... only stopping to eat.
I fully understand that I'm not the intended audience for this book about a teen girl that falls in love, but I am really glad I read it. I really liked that it was a "glimpse of life" book. There was no murder to solve or horror or anything crazy. It was just a chunk of someone's life, which was really interesting to me. It felt a lot like watching the movie Eighth Grade or Booksmart or Ladybird.
Megan is a 15 year old girl who meets a boy at a party and instantly falls in love with him. I kept thinking, "OMG she's only hung out with him 3 times and is already in love with him!!! Noooo!!!!" My only problem with this is that it was way too real for me. I fall in love way too easily, and it usually ends in heartbreak (not including my marriage).
The first half of the book was really slow to me because I had no idea where the story was headed. I feel like a chapter teasing the ending (without giving it away) would have made me want to keep reading more. That said, the second half is phenomenal. I say this because if you read the book, you need to understand that the first half is a slow burn, but the second half is full steam ahead. I literally sat here and read the entire second half of the book in one sitting... only stopping to eat.
I fully understand that I'm not the intended audience for this book about a teen girl that falls in love, but I am really glad I read it. I really liked that it was a "glimpse of life" book. There was no murder to solve or horror or anything crazy. It was just a chunk of someone's life, which was really interesting to me. It felt a lot like watching the movie Eighth Grade or Booksmart or Ladybird.
nomomstayandread's review
4.0
I loved the nostalgia of this one. I expected one of the twists but not the other at all and man, what a blow. I loved how this ended.
danireads1225's review against another edition
3.0
I did love her writing style. But boy I wanted to smack these parents!!!
The kids were your typical teenagers trying to figure their way in the world, and wanting to grow up faster (didn’t we all? Then we became adults and reality hit us, lol).
Meg’s dad was definitely trying his best. On one hand he wanted his girls to still be kids, but on the other hand he was using them to basically raise their younger brother because their mom was an absent parent.
Tessa’s mom....I think she wanted to be a responsible parent but Tessa pushed her back for it.
Jason and Kenny’s mom....don’t even get me started on her.
But this is also the story of family being more than just your biological family. Sometimes you rely on your friends to help you too.
The kids were your typical teenagers trying to figure their way in the world, and wanting to grow up faster (didn’t we all? Then we became adults and reality hit us, lol).
Meg’s dad was definitely trying his best. On one hand he wanted his girls to still be kids, but on the other hand he was using them to basically raise their younger brother because their mom was an absent parent.
Tessa’s mom....I think she wanted to be a responsible parent but Tessa pushed her back for it.
Jason and Kenny’s mom....don’t even get me started on her.
But this is also the story of family being more than just your biological family. Sometimes you rely on your friends to help you too.
breysreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Keep What Remains was a throwback, easy to read, love story that will keep you up until it’s over and makes you cry.
5/5 stars.
Our main character Megan hasn’t been able to have boys around since her parents divorce due to her very strict father. Her and her sister Chelsea, have become very good at sneaking behind his back however.
I loved our characters. Megan, Tessa, Chelsea, Jason, Lyndsey, even Kenny was a nice addition to the team. You can’t help but root for everyone, and hope they make it through everything. Megan was a very interesting main character, her inner thoughts are very entertaining and very funny.
The overall plot ended up being extremely good. It wasn’t anything super shocking for a plot twist, but the realism of all of it was very well done. The 1985 setting was extremely cool to travel to. The hair, clothing, and movies coming out actually made me laugh.
And the ending? The ending was honestly perfect. I know what’s going to happen, and I would read it all again for that ending!
5/5 stars.
Our main character Megan hasn’t been able to have boys around since her parents divorce due to her very strict father. Her and her sister Chelsea, have become very good at sneaking behind his back however.
I loved our characters. Megan, Tessa, Chelsea, Jason, Lyndsey, even Kenny was a nice addition to the team. You can’t help but root for everyone, and hope they make it through everything. Megan was a very interesting main character, her inner thoughts are very entertaining and very funny.
The overall plot ended up being extremely good. It wasn’t anything super shocking for a plot twist, but the realism of all of it was very well done. The 1985 setting was extremely cool to travel to. The hair, clothing, and movies coming out actually made me laugh.
And the ending? The ending was honestly perfect. I know what’s going to happen, and I would read it all again for that ending!
waggingwithwords's review against another edition
4.0
This book filled me with nostalgia. My teen years were in the early 2000s, but I was born in 89 and so many things in this story were so relatable.
The music, big hair, fun language, radios and talking on the phone attached to the wall. No cellphones, no internet, but board games and riding bikes with friends, this brought back so many memories. Best friends, young love, trying to also date best friends so you can secretly double date.
Meg and Tessa are best friends, and their friendship was so lovely, for being 16, they truly cared for each other. Meg’s dad is a single dad and very strict; Tessas parents allow her a bit more freedom; so these two sneak around with boyfriends, drinking and smoking behind their parents back. They all came from different backgrounds but care about each other deeply. The young love blossoming between Meg and Jason was really sweet and even though he felt pushy at times, he also could be thoughtful Tragedy strikes and things change for the girls.
This was such a heartbreaking story but so well written and just felt like it hit close to home for so many different reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you @clbeamer for a gifted copy. 80s and 90s babies, you should definitely read this and reminisce on your teenage years. ❤️
#bookstagram #books #keepwhatremains
The music, big hair, fun language, radios and talking on the phone attached to the wall. No cellphones, no internet, but board games and riding bikes with friends, this brought back so many memories. Best friends, young love, trying to also date best friends so you can secretly double date.
Meg and Tessa are best friends, and their friendship was so lovely, for being 16, they truly cared for each other. Meg’s dad is a single dad and very strict; Tessas parents allow her a bit more freedom; so these two sneak around with boyfriends, drinking and smoking behind their parents back. They all came from different backgrounds but care about each other deeply. The young love blossoming between Meg and Jason was really sweet and even though he felt pushy at times, he also could be thoughtful Tragedy strikes and things change for the girls.
This was such a heartbreaking story but so well written and just felt like it hit close to home for so many different reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you @clbeamer for a gifted copy. 80s and 90s babies, you should definitely read this and reminisce on your teenage years. ❤️
#bookstagram #books #keepwhatremains