Tag: family dysfunction

REVIEW: Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

REVIEW: Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Avon in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Marcus Caster-Rupp has just finished shooting his final season of Gods of the Gates. His public persona has always been on the “pretty but dim” side, and as an actor he can play that role convincingly. But now that shooting is done, maybe he could be something… more.

No one knows Marcus is Book!AeneasWouldNever!. He writes Gods of the Gates fanfiction. He loves the book version which is so much better than what the show runners have done lately with the characters. His favorite person on the fanfiction sites is UnapologeticLaviniaStan. She gets him and gets these characters. She will flip when she sees what the show runners have done in this next season. And not in a good way.

April, UnapologeticLaviniaStan on the fanfiction sites, is ready for serious life change. She kept her cosplay and fandom life secret at work in order to be taken seriously. And she’s never posted pictures of herself online in her cosplay because she doesn’t want to deal with fatphobic trolls. But she’s ready to take a stand and be 100% herself both in person and online.

When a beautiful cosplayer is trolled on Twitter, and Marcus is pulled into the conversation, he takes the high road, asking the woman out on a date (rather than eviscerating the trolls, which was his first instinct). But Marcus has no idea April is his fanfiction best friend, UnapologeticLaviniaStan. And if anyone finds out about his alter ego, Book!AeneasWouldNever!, Marcus’ career will be over.

Review

This was fantastic! It includes a fandom as well as a convention, which I always enjoy. (You can read my post from earlier this year about fandom and fan convention stories here.) There’s a You’ve Got Mail piece to this too where April and Marcus meet in real life while also having an online relationship hidden behind screen names. At first, neither one knows about the connection. The main difference here is that they are not antagonists in real life like in the movie.

But the real life relationship means Marcus has to break the online relationship and keep the connection a secret for the sake of his job. While he likes April, it’s too soon to know if she can be trusted or if she would even understand the risks he has already taken by writing fanfiction – and talking about the show- in ways that could jeopardize his job.

I loved April and Marcus, together and separately. They have fantastic chemistry together. They also have depth. The author does an exceptional job with the emotional pieces of this – the personal insights, the empathy, the descriptions of toxic family relationships, etc. I adored this layer to the characters and to the larger story.

There’s a secondary relationship that was teased in this book, but mostly took place off-page. I had hoped it would get it’s own book. It seems like that relationship will be the focus of the next book, out next year. I am absolutely here for that story. This is my first book by this author, although I own one of her e-books – Desire and the Deep Blue Sea – and its sequel is on my wishlist. I’ll be bumping her books up on my TBR.

If you enjoy fanfiction and fandom stories like I do, do NOT miss this one! It feels like an adult version of the Geekerella/Once Upon a Con series, which I love. (Language, sex, CW: fat shaming, disability shaming, toxic families/trauma)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥=Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Primer by Jennifer Muro and Thomas Krajewski

REVIEW: Primer by Jennifer Muro and Thomas Krajewski

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Ashley’s been in multiple foster homes as well as a group home before she goes to live with the Nolans. Mr. Nolan is an artist and a professor. He’s funny and relatable and down to earth. His wife is a scientist. Ashley’s convinced Dr. Nolan doesn’t like her.

Ashley notices Dr. Nolan acting suspiciously. She thinks that the box Dr. Nolan puts in the family safe must be her birthday present. She has no idea that Dr. Nolan has stolen this box from her job because what’s inside it is dangerous. She doesn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands.

What Ashley thinks is just a kit of body paint for fun is actually a military project. Each paint color gives Ashley a different power. When a group of villains calling themselves the Night Knights starts trouble, Ashley uses the paints to fight them. She likes being a superhero. And she chooses her own hero name – Primer.

Review

This was so fun! I loved Ashley and the Nolans. They are pretty chill about her new super hero life – more relaxed than you think parents would be – but otherwise I loved the interplay with the three of them.

Ashley’s biological father, who is in jail, is far more alarming with his psychological abuse than the villain of the larger story here. This book only teases at this father/daughter relationship, but it will be a bigger focus of future stories. I will definitely be reading any sequels to see what the writers decide to do with that creepy relationship, especially as Ashley grows more attached to the Nolans.

The art wasn’t completely finished in my review copy, but what I saw was terrific. I can’t wait to see this one in person. DC has graciously provided a few sample pages so you can see the art for yourself:

The story here falls neatly between the light plots in the DC Super Hero Girls graphic novels and the more serious teen titles like Oracle Code and Raven. You can read my other DC reviews here. Hand this one to fans of Black Canary: Ignite and Batman Overdrive. I think they will love it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson

BONUS REVIEW: Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Adam’s parents have recently separated. He’s angry – and a little confused. His dad left, but his mom helped him pack. She even made his favorite pie for him. AFTER he moved out! Adam’s older brother, Jeremy, seems to be rolling with the changes better than Adam is. He’s just so angry. He hates the idea of his mom at the house alone when he stays with his dad every other weekend.

Jolene’s parents have been divorced for awhile. Her dad had always been a cheater. But he finally left after he hooked up with Shelly. Her parents have turned fighting into an Olympic-level event. Neither seems to care about Jolene except as a pawn in their efforts to make the other person as miserable as humanly possible. Jolene’s dad lives next door to Adam’s dad in a crappy apartment. So Jolene sees Adam when she stays there every other weekend.

Over time, as Jolene and Adam get closer, they open up to one another about the struggles in their families. But what sort of relationship can develop between two people who only see each other every other weekend?

Review

This was so good! I was heartbroken for both of these teens. Adam’s family is grieving. It’s been two years. His mother acts as if she has nothing to grieve while his dad knows they have to start to move forward in this new normal. Adam and Jeremy are left in the middle with their own grief.

Jolene’s family situation is worse. The things her mother does and says, her father’s absence, and the way both of them use her to put the screws to the other parent were horrifying. I was concerned how desperate she would get with the series of losses in her own life.

The development of these characters was excellent. Their emotions felt honest and real. Their banter was just the right amount of levity to balance the darker parts of the story. I can’t help hoping that Adam’s ideas about their future will come true.

This is a character-rich story. There’s no obvious goal or journey for them. It is the story of their meet ups every other weekend and the relationship that develops over time. It’s also about the ways their relationship with one another encourages and helps them with the other struggles they are facing. While there were hard, painful moments, I loved this journey with Adam and Jolene. Fans of the author’s other work (I loved Even If I Fall) and fans of strong character-driven stories should be sure to check this out. (Some language, TW: sexual assault)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: No Place Like Here by Christina June

REVIEW: No Place Like Here by Christina June

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ashlynn has finished her junior year at boarding school – punishment for some trouble she got in the year before. But she’s followed the rules, and her grades have been top notch. Now she’s ready to go home for the summer and to convince her father to let her stay home for her senior year.

But in typical fashion, Ashlynn’s father has his own plan in place. He’s being arrested for tax evasion. He’s going to prison, and Ashlynn’s mom is going into treatment for depression. Ashlynn has to stay with her aunt and uncle and work at a retreat center for the summer. And in the fall, her dad tells her, she will be going back to boarding school. He leaves no room for discussion. And Ashlynn accepts her fate as she always does.

So Ashlynn heads to Sweetwater Overlook Retreat Center with a cousin she barely knows. She only hears from her parents through letters, approved phone calls from the prison or the treatment center, and occasional trips to see her father in person.  She’s working for a careless, disorganized boss who is only too happy to dump tasks on Ashlynn who never speaks up for herself. But maybe a summer at Sweetwater is just what Ashlynn needs for this season in her life.

Review

This was terrific! The author does an amazing job with the descriptions of Ashlynn’s life under her father’s thumb – his ultra critical voice in her ear, his high expectations, and his crippling demands. But the summer away – free in a way she hasn’t experienced even with a year of boarding school – really lets Ashlynn examine her life and her choices in a new way. This thread was my favorite part of the book!

The retreat center pieces and the relationships Ashlynn experiences there are a great context for all of the personal work Ashlynn is doing. I expected the conflict with her boss would be bigger and uglier, but this isn’t that sort of story. This is a look at Ashlynn’s personal journey. The rest is setting and context and support. And it really works well!

I loved the quotes Ashlynn uses for her own comfort, growth and encouragement. It’s a fun angle to the story. It’s a nice contrast for Ashlynn’s quest to find – and use – her own words and her own voice. Fantastic!! Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets by Molly Fader

REVIEW: The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets by Molly Fader

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Graydon House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

After all those years away, it only takes one phone call to pull Lindy back home.

It’s great timing. She’s temporarily homeless and jobless. And her mother needs her. Apparently she’s had a stroke – not that anyone told Lindy. And her mom’s also having memory issues – another surprise.

The cop who calls for her mom – and old high school… friend – tries to excuse Lindy’s sister, Delia, for not passing any of this news along. She’s been busy with the new baby – something else Lindy knows nothing about. Well, it has been 17 years since they last spoke.

But now Lindy is back. And Delia does have her hands full with the family business (that was supposed to go to Lindy), their mom, her rebellious teen and a newborn. So Lindy can step in, help out, carry some of the load. But her return to the family could dredge up a lot of old history the McAvoy women have swallowed and ignored for decades. Will their secrets survive Lindy’s return home?

Review

Wow, this was good. It took me awhile to warm up to Delia, but I clicked with Lindy and her mom and Delia’s teen daughter Brin quickly. Watching these four women dance around each other was fascinating. And while it was obvious the history and the secrets would be significant, the author held onto them for a good while, letting us get to know the women on their own. There are several excellent passages about secrets and dealing – or not dealing – with emotions. They felt therapeutic. If I was reading this for a book club, these would be the passages I would mark and want to talk about with a group.

Even before the secrets are told, the reader can see the role each person plays in the family – the buttons they push, the interpersonal patterns that have been at work for decades. But this isn’t a dry or navel-gazing sort of story. There’s activity and movement to keep you engaged while the emotional work is being done. It’s so well written – I really enjoyed this!

Discussion questions at the end make this great for book clubs. Don’t read the questions first in order to avoid spoilers. I will give a TRIGGER WARNING but won’t give details to avoid spoiling the story, but if you have sensitivities for what you read, go into this one with a pinch of caution. (Some language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: If You're Out There by Katy Loutzenhiser

REVIEW: If You’re Out There by Katy Loutzenhiser

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Zan (Alexandra) and Priya are crushed about the move. California is a long way from Chicago. But Priya’s step-dad has a new job. These things happen. Sometimes they even happen the summer before senior year.

But when Pria goes completely silent, Zan is devastated. Priya won’t answer her calls, reply to texts, or respond to emails. Zan’s only connection is through Priya’s social media posts. She seems thrilled with her new life in California. Apparently she wants nothing from her old life in Chicago.

Logan is a new guy at school. Zan doesn’t know much about him. They were kind of thrown together in Spanish class. He’s the one who first notices that Priya’s online behavior seems weird. Up to that point, Zan’s been focused on her angry and hurt feelings. But Logan’s questions help Zan re-examine things. And she starts to think maybe something more is going on with Priya. Maybe Priya is trying to send a call for help.

Review

Amazing!! I had no business starting a book at 10:30 on a weeknight. But I was intrigued by this premise. And I adored Zan and Logan. Next thing I knew, I had finished the whole book. It was fantastic! If you like teen mystery/suspense stories, check this one out.

I loved the characters in this. Zan’s family is warm and caring – and complicated (divorced parents, mom’s girlfriend has just moved in) – like most families. Logan’s situation is even more complicated, and it’s slowly revealed as the novel unfolds. I don’t want to give anything away. I’ll just say I LOVED Logan!

Zan has a lovely community around her – friends, her family, the cop who taught her to box to deal with her anger after the divorce. And they all share Zan’s disappointment that Priya is blowing her off. But no one believes her that more is going on.

The story of Zan’s search for the truth was so satisfying! Her emotions felt spot on – hurt and anger at Priya, desperation for an explanation, her attempts at resignation and acceptance of her “new normal” without her best friend. The author did an amazing job in weaving the story together. It was absolutely fantastic!! Highly recommend – you don’t want to miss this one! (language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Loser's Bracket by Chris Crutcher

REVIEW: Loser’s Bracket by Chris Crutcher

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Annie’s almost a senior in high school, but she’s experienced a lot in 17 years. She bounced from home to foster care multiple times before her mother’s rights were terminated. Annie knows her family is toxic, but she’s tied to them too tightly to turn her back on them. Her foster father would like nothing more than for Annie to cut all ties to her biological family once and for all. But she can’t bring herself to do it. Most of the times she sees her mother or her older sister, the meet up ends in disappointment for Annie. But they are still family.

When Annie’s biological family shows up for her last swim meet of the season, her mother picks a fight with Annie’s book club friends over a misunderstanding. In the ensuing chaos, Annie’s nephew disappears. Her family may be a hot mess, but they are her hot mess. Annie will do whatever it takes to find her nephew.

Review

The characters in this are outstanding! I loved Annie from the beginning. Even though her biological family is trapped in horrible cycles of abuse and drug use, Annie sees the dysfunctions and can keep some distance from them. After Annie, her foster brother, her best friend, and her book club are my other favorites from the story. In a different book, the book club would have made an excellent story all on their own, with each character telling his or her own story.

While Annie’s foster family is safer and more healthy than her biological family, it’s not perfect. And in the story we get to watch Annie negotiate the various dysfunctions and find her own path through them. The revelations she experiences as the foster family situation is more out in the open were fascinating.

I loved everything about this. I would read more stories with these characters in a hot minute. And the author’s style and insight really clicked for me. I’d read more of his work and will be checking out his other stories.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½