Last True Love Story

by Brendan Kiely

[layawaydragon]

Read for free on RivetedLit.com, May 2019. I don't like that they chose the road trip theme instead of AAPI or Autism. I wasn't going to read any of them, but with Kiely being a co-author of All American boys, Corrina being a WOC with white adoptive parents, and grandpa's Alzheimer's, I decided to give it a shot.

I'm glad I did. I wouldn't buy it but as a free borrow/lend, I'd recommend it.

My mom has a brain injury with memory and processing problems. Hendrix's relationship with his grandpa (I'm sorry I cannot use Gpa) was touching, and relatable. He handles himself most of the time, but caregivers know the struggle well. I hope people are kinder and more understanding with this illustration.

I also loved him for his distant complicated relationship with his mother, poetry nerdiness, and love of the way too cool rocker chick. I had all three as a freshman.

Corrina is a badass. Edgy, but understandably so with her love of lady rockers (so many ya'll should listen to!), the cultural disconnect, and the clinically distant shrink parental units.

The ending was really sweet and surprising. I was honestly not expecting that. I appreciate the care given to balance family and dreams and True Love.