Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on
This book begins with Mike enjoying his summer in a small seaside town. He's working on the boat with his dad, going to the arcade with his friends, struggling a little with his girlfriend - normal teenage life. Then, on what should be a happy trip, his father is killed in an accident. This is where the tears began. The relationship Mike shared with his father was very special. The love between them jumped off the page, and I really mourned his loss and shared Mike's pain.
As he is reeling from the loss of his father, Mike's estranged mother wants to drag him across the country to live with her. This triggers memories from his early childhood, most of which paint a negative picture of his mother. Some of his memories were very painful to read, and my heart broke many times as Mike had to relive those terrible moments.
The standout parts of this book were:
1. Mike: he was forced to grow up earlier than some of his peers. With the apparent loss of his mother and then the loss of his father, he had to face many truths that other teens his age do not. His pain was so real too. As I had mentioned previously, my heart ached for him.
2. The relationship between Mike and his dad: The bond between these two was very special, and the love was obvious. In addition, there was a great deal of respect between these two. A very positive and beautiful relationship.
3. The relationship between Maggie and Mike: When it seemed as though he'd lost everything, Maggie, his father's almost fiancee, maintains her role as Mike's "mom". They both mourn together, heal together, and support each other. Maggie loved Mike and valued him as well. You could tell by the way she treated Mike - she was firm, honest and openly loving. She filled that mom-void for over five years and stayed when she could have left.
Overall, very emotional read, which kept my interest.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 19 October, 2016: Finished reading
- 19 October, 2016: Reviewed