Tag: Abigail Johnson

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: Even If I Fall by Abigail Johnson

REVIEW: Even If I Fall 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

It was raining, and he was walking. His truck seemed broken down at the side of the road. Brooke could have ignored it. There was too much history there. It would probably be easier if she kept driving. But she stopped and offered Heath a ride.

Cal, Heath’s older brother was dead. Jason, Brooke’s older brother, was in prison for Cal’s murder. When Jason was arrested, Brooke was absolutely convinced of his innocence. But when Jason confessed, every aspect of her life crumbled. Her mom lost her job and had become almost manic in her efforts to keep the family together. Brooke’s dad withdrew into his work, and her younger sister became a shadow of her former self. Brooke’s boyfriend at the time sold her out to the tabloids. They had to leave their church. Everyone treats them as if the whole family is guilty.

And Heath actually has an idea of what that’s all like. While his family gets pity where Brooke’s gets suspicion, they, too, are living every day with the fall out of whatever happened that night between Jason and Cal. And while both Brooke and Heath know no one would understand how they could even look at each other much less be friends, there’s something between them they just can’t let go.

Review

This was stunning. This is an emotionally messy, complicated story. And it’s told remarkably well. I loved Brooke and Heath. The ups and downs in their relationship are completely believable, but there’s also tremendous chemistry between them. The emotional fall out for Brooke’s family is raw and painful. How do you balance the love you have for your family with the guilt and shame from the crime? Each family member takes a role – and Brooke’s is that of the caretaker. She can only let her guard down with Heath, and even that is dangerous. The emotional complexity of this is excellent.

There’s a suspense element to this, too, as Brooke tries to figure out what really happened the night of the murder. This part of the book was also especially well done. And all the pieces of the story were tied up in a satisfying way without a perfect – and unbelievable – happily ever after.

Other than the dark subject matter with the murder, this is a “clean” book for teens. No language or other mature content other than the emotional complexity of the story and the murder case. I highly recommend this one for teens who want to dig into a rich story with great characters in complicated scenarios.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½