Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Something Like Normal

by Trish Doller

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother's stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he's haunted by nightmares of his best friend's death. It's not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he's had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis's dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on

5 of 5 stars

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Rating: 4.5 Stars

Travis had joined the Marines to escape his life, but he returned, and he brought some baggage with his. He was dreading going back to his parents' home, but while there, he found love, forgiveness, and some peace of mind.

Coming from a family filled with military personal, I have always had a lot of respect for what they do to protect my country and my freedoms. Therefore, I have a certain appreciation for stories like Travis'. There were so many things about his story, that I loved, but first and foremost, I liked, that Doller did not politicize this story.

This was a story about one young solider's experience in-country and upon his return. It was about the way his deployment affected and shaped him, and changed his view of things back home. I thought Doller beautifully captured his struggle with coming back, and realizing how different he was. It was hard for him to relate to old friends, and he had a different appreciation for the people in his life. He realized, that some really didn't, or never did, fit, while making him value others a bit more.

When my father talked about his time in the army, or even about his 25 years in the NY fire department, he often waxed poetic about the "brotherhood". He shared, that there was a special relationship you foster, when you are in life or death situations with other people, and this came through so clearly as Travis related stories about his time in Afghanistan, or when he interacted with his fellow soldiers on-page. I could almost see a physical bond between them, which was formed via the things they endured.

Though, there were flashbacks to his time in-country and Travis was experiencing PTSD, I also got to share some fun and beautiful moments with him. I loved that he reconnected with his mother. His family was obviously trying to win dysfunctional family of the year, but his mother was so wonderful. Travis' time away gave him the strength and perspective he didn't have before, and not only did he see his mother in a different light, he was better equipped to give her the support she needed.

And, then, there was Harper. Harper was his first kiss, but he let something so sweet turn ugly. I was sort of stunned by the long lasting affects on her life, but I was glad she was able to overlook it, and open her heart to Travis. Her high school years may have been hell, but Harper certainly had her act together. She was stable and able to open her heart to Travis. I found the accelerated nature of their relationship quite believable, and really enjoyed all the time I got to share with them.

Overall: An emotional, raw, and real look at the life of a young soldier, which I thought was beautifully written and well explored.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 29 November, 2019: Finished reading
  • 29 November, 2019: Reviewed