A review by shelleys_book_nook
Fireworks Every Night by Beth Raymer

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love a good coming-of-age story, especially those of a dysfunctional family – one that isn’t my own. I also love historical fiction, that is if a book about growing up in the 1990s can be considered historical fiction. This story shattered my heart, it’s about nine-year-old CC (named after her dad’s favourite drink, Canadian Club). After a fire breaks out in their Ohio home/business her family travels to Florida to start over but chaos ensues and things quickly unravel.

Told in alternating timelines of past and present we get CC’s singular point of view. Many issues abound including drug addiction, alcoholism, marital discord, homelessness, sexual abuse and mental health. Even though the book is very dark CC won my heart and this is one of my favourite books I’ve read so far this year. I assure you as crazy as it was it’s very realistic and as CC grows up and comes into her own she realizes she will never have the normal family she has always dreamed of and she once again becomes the parent to her father. I really related to the story having been brought up by selfish, addicted parents myself, maybe that’s why I liked it so much. All. The. Stars.