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A review by sarahbythebook
What's Not Mine: A Novel by Nora Decter
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thank you to ECW Press and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
The main takeaway from the rating is that this book just wasn't for me.
What's Not Mine follows 15 year old Bria Powers through the summer just before she turns 16. A brutal portrayal of how the drug crisis can affect one person, one family, we are shown how Bria has had to grow up through the abandonment and neglect of her parents, the inadequate but well-meaning parental stand-ins, and the coping choices she has made in the past two or so years.
My biggest issue with this book centers on the relationship that Bria is in with a significantly older man. First, I think the massive age difference was extreme; the point could have been made just as well with a smaller age gap-- still gross, but more understandable for why no one steps in. Second, no one steps in! A literal crime is occurring, and at least 3 adults know about it and do nothing to protect this child.
I appreciate how this book wraps up. The last 10% was excellent! The first 90% was hit or miss, and with the strange choice to not use quotation marks, it just wasn't my favorite read.
If you enjoy reading a book that has just as much grittiness as reality, then you might enjoy What's Not Mine!
CWs: drugs, overdose, abandonment, death of an animal, ADULT-MINOR RELATIONSHIP
The main takeaway from the rating is that this book just wasn't for me.
What's Not Mine follows 15 year old Bria Powers through the summer just before she turns 16. A brutal portrayal of how the drug crisis can affect one person, one family, we are shown how Bria has had to grow up through the abandonment and neglect of her parents, the inadequate but well-meaning parental stand-ins, and the coping choices she has made in the past two or so years.
My biggest issue with this book centers on the relationship that Bria is in with a significantly older man. First, I think the massive age difference was extreme; the point could have been made just as well with a smaller age gap-- still gross, but more understandable for why no one steps in. Second, no one steps in! A literal crime is occurring, and at least 3 adults know about it and do nothing to protect this child.
I appreciate how this book wraps up. The last 10% was excellent! The first 90% was hit or miss, and with the strange choice to not use quotation marks, it just wasn't my favorite read.
If you enjoy reading a book that has just as much grittiness as reality, then you might enjoy What's Not Mine!
CWs: drugs, overdose, abandonment, death of an animal, ADULT-MINOR RELATIONSHIP
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Animal death, Toxic relationship, and Blood