bookowl88 's review for:

My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

3.0

hopeful lighthearted sad fast-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

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I heard Netflix made a show out of this book and was curious about the story.  So I borrowed the book to read before I watch the show.  The writing drew me into the story and I was genuinely curious about the main characters developing life with the Walter boys.  I did find myself disappointed in the sexually inappropriate behavior the boys exhibited with Jackie.  For example, entering the bathroom while she’s showering and stealing her towel and her clothes.  Leaving her to choose between running naked through the house or being stuck in the bathroom.  All of this taking place while a set of twin younger boys video tape the entire escapade.  And then treating her badly when she “tells on them”.  I was not a fan of these kind of situations where Jackie is forced to choose between being a respected human being with appropriate behavioral boundaries to fitting into a home overrun with boys who behave like this.  I am curious to see how the show handles the behavior of these boys.  Overall the story ok and I can see why they turned it into a show.  But I didn’t love it.