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A review by booknookghost
The Old Creek Bridge by Sarah Kettles
5.0
Review originally posted at (YA)BookNook.
Sometimes I have so many emotions crowding for my attention that it’s hard to get a review down. This is one of those times.
Guys.
I just--wow.
Let’s try words again: THE OLD CREEK BRIDGE by Sarah Kettles is easily one of my favorite books of the year--all squeezed into one night of sleeplessness when I should have been studying.
Step aside, med school.
This book was everything. Everything. It follows Jack Snyder--rough, vulnerable, startling realistic--as he navigates the treacherous path of growing up and the secrets life has kept from him.
Jack is a marvel. He was less a character and more a person who just happened to get caught inside a book. He was angry and hurt and elated at times. He persevered through difficulties, sometimes. He gave up, sometimes. He was perfect and real and he needed a hug. (I’m here, Jack.)
I’d say the biggest secondary “character” of the book was Jack’s family. And, well, were they amazing.
Let me just say this again: A YA boy with a present and involved family who are there for more than just soft padding. Am I swooning? Maybe.
Jack’s family was Southern. I don’t know that there’s any better way to describe them, except that if you’ve ever lived in South US, you just... know. They were big and noisy and caring. Stifling when you don’t want them to be, but always there, just in case. The relationship between Jack and his mom was so beautiful and realistic, it almost took over the main romantic relationship.
Jack and Kelly, though. I don’t wanna say too much because spoilery secrets, but suffice it to say it was impressive and heart-wrenching in all the right ways. It took me by surprise.
Actually, that was one of many things Sarah Kettles did fantastically well: THE OLD CREEK BRIDGE is unexpected. It’s enticing and emotionally raw and dark. It goes places. It never shies away from consequences, never sacrifices truth for complacency.
This book is unrepentant.
If I had to shelve it somewhere, I would put it between Maggie Stiefvater’s THE SCORPIO RACES and John Green’s THE FAULT IN OUR STARS.
THE OLD CREEK BRIDGE is a completely different narrative, but it has the best parts of Literary wrapped in beautiful writing, compelling characters, and a vivid atmosphere.
Also, the cover is so gorgeous I could kiss it.
Go get it.
.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookish Group Press for providing me with an ARC in exchanged for an honest review.
Sometimes I have so many emotions crowding for my attention that it’s hard to get a review down. This is one of those times.
Guys.
I just--wow.
Let’s try words again: THE OLD CREEK BRIDGE by Sarah Kettles is easily one of my favorite books of the year--all squeezed into one night of sleeplessness when I should have been studying.
Step aside, med school.
This book was everything. Everything. It follows Jack Snyder--rough, vulnerable, startling realistic--as he navigates the treacherous path of growing up and the secrets life has kept from him.
Jack is a marvel. He was less a character and more a person who just happened to get caught inside a book. He was angry and hurt and elated at times. He persevered through difficulties, sometimes. He gave up, sometimes. He was perfect and real and he needed a hug. (I’m here, Jack.)
I’d say the biggest secondary “character” of the book was Jack’s family. And, well, were they amazing.
Let me just say this again: A YA boy with a present and involved family who are there for more than just soft padding. Am I swooning? Maybe.
Jack’s family was Southern. I don’t know that there’s any better way to describe them, except that if you’ve ever lived in South US, you just... know. They were big and noisy and caring. Stifling when you don’t want them to be, but always there, just in case. The relationship between Jack and his mom was so beautiful and realistic, it almost took over the main romantic relationship.
Jack and Kelly, though. I don’t wanna say too much because spoilery secrets, but suffice it to say it was impressive and heart-wrenching in all the right ways. It took me by surprise.
Actually, that was one of many things Sarah Kettles did fantastically well: THE OLD CREEK BRIDGE is unexpected. It’s enticing and emotionally raw and dark. It goes places. It never shies away from consequences, never sacrifices truth for complacency.
This book is unrepentant.
If I had to shelve it somewhere, I would put it between Maggie Stiefvater’s THE SCORPIO RACES and John Green’s THE FAULT IN OUR STARS.
THE OLD CREEK BRIDGE is a completely different narrative, but it has the best parts of Literary wrapped in beautiful writing, compelling characters, and a vivid atmosphere.
Also, the cover is so gorgeous I could kiss it.
Go get it.
.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookish Group Press for providing me with an ARC in exchanged for an honest review.