Speechless. This book made me gasp, cry, and laugh. Impossibly beautiful.
It's not often that I write a full review anymore. If I do, it has to be that the book REALLY moved me. Shook me to my core. And, boy, did this story do just that.
I love a story that is controversial, taboo, out of the box, and one that is thought provoking. Not in a shock value type of way, but in an authentic way. I know that this book has had its fair share of controversy surrounding it and I am not even going to give voice to any of that. Because there is no way (in my mind) that anyone could interpret what happened in this book as anything but beautiful. To me, Wavy and Kellen are lovers who will love each other for hundreds of years. Soul mates. That type of love that knows no bounds, and cannot be limited by age, race, sex, or any other dividing factor that society imposes upon us to tell us who we can and cannot love.
I think old man Cutcheon said it best:
"You know," I said. "I married Paola when she was fourteen. And I was twenty-six. Her parents had eleven kids and they was glad to get her settled."
Kellen's reply to that was that those were "different days," and they were. Now, because of 1% of the population who is disgusting, sick, and perverse, ALL love that looks like this is filthy and wrong, right? Well, I disagree. I don't like generalizing ANYTHING. Because in my experience, life always comes with exceptions.
Anywho, I digress. Back to the book.
Wavy is a quiet girl. Smart way beyond her years. Resourceful. Her parents are...jeez, I don't even know what freaking word to use. Her parents (if Liam was even her real dad) are a hot mess. This girl had to fend for herself AND care for her younger infant brother basically from the time she was a small child. Because of some of the deranged things her mother polluted her mind with, she's hyper vigilant of people and germs and pretty much anything.
The only thing she takes comfort in is sneaking out at night and watching the stars. And it's on a night like this, when she's lying under the stars, that she happens to meet Kellen. Well, she saves his life actually.
I have to say that the writing in this book is some of the most exceptional I've ever read in my life. And that is saying a lot. I've read some great stuff. The way that it is narrated is completely brilliant as well. I don't see another way to have told this story. There are many, many points of view. Probably close to 10 or more. But, all of them are geared toward Kellen and Wavy and how THEY see them. So then when you read Wavy and Kellen's POV, it is SOOOO much more revealing.
For example, if you read Kellen's description from Wavy's POV, you would think that he was the most beautiful man who ever roamed the earth. When, in actuality, he is very average looking. Simple. Over-weight. Not super attractive—hardly even swoon-worthy BBF material. But that's not how Wavy sees him. That's just one example. The book is FILLED with things like this. Showing them to you. Brilliant.
It's also freaking funny in places that it really shouldn't have been. I seriously almost peed my pants from laughing so hard when Wavy gave her deposition. So freaking wrong, but I laughed my ass off.
Basically, Kellen is the only person who gave a shit about Wavy and her brother, Donal. Her parents are the epitome of the word neglectful. And then some. If it weren't for him, she probably would be dead. And vice-versa. They saved each other.
"Thanks, but I just came to get Wavy." Kellen looked at me for a second, not long enough. Liam [her dad] made me feel invisible. I needed Kellen to see me."
And for those of you who are squeamish about the underage thing, just know that this book is just not like that. It's not written in an in your face, taboo for the sake of being taboo way. It's raw and unapologetic and honest. Yes, lines are crossed. Big ones. SOME things happen when Wavy is thirteen that any OTHER thirteen year old probably wouldn't be emotionally ready for, but it is consensual and if anything, she is the one pushing for it. I have two girls. I get it. But for me, this book never rubbed me the wrong way. Yes, she was 13, BUT the girl was pretty much an adult mentally by then. Based on the hard life she had led. At least, that is the story that I read. Of course, it is open for interpretation and not everyone will feel the same way. That is the beauty of reading. Me? I was so rooting for these two to get their HEA.
But, fret not, the very controversy that this book is getting is ironic because it's what happens in this story. People vilify Kellen. They think he's a monster, a pedophile. They want to beat him up, keep him from a job, keep him from living any type of normal life. They don't want him to exist. Just like many did not want this book to exist.
I pretty much felt like Wavy's roommate, Renee, who was one of my fave secondary characters of the book, by the way. Chick was hilarious!
"I wanted a fairy tale ending for Wavy, because if she could find happiness, there would be hope for me, too."
This was one of my top 5 reads of 2016 so far. I think it should be made into a film. I don't have enough wonderful things to say about it except that I highly, highly recommend it.
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5+ Stars- All the Way!
Speechless. This book made me gasp, cry, and laugh. Impossibly beautiful.It's not often that I write a full review anymore. If I do, it has to be that the book REALLY moved me. Shook me to my core. And, boy, did this story do just that.I love a story that is controversial, taboo, out of the box, and one that is thought provoking. Not in a shock value type of way, but in an authentic way. I know that this book has had its fair share of controversy surrounding it and I am not even going to give voice to any of that. Because there is no way (in my mind) that anyone could interpret what happened in this book as anything but beautiful. To me, Wavy and Kellen are lovers who will love each other for hundreds of years. Soul mates. That type of love that knows no bounds, and cannot be limited by age, race, sex, or any other dividing factor that society imposes upon us to tell us who we can and cannot love.I think old man Cutcheon said it best:"You know," I said. "I married Paola when she was fourteen. And I was twenty-six. Her parents had eleven kids and they was glad to get her settled."Kellen's reply to that was that those were "different days," and they were. Now, because of 1% of the population who is disgusting, sick, and perverse, ALL love that looks like this is filthy and wrong, right? Well, I disagree. I don't like generalizing ANYTHING. Because in my experience, life always comes with exceptions.Anywho, I digress. Back to the book.Wavy is a quiet girl. Smart way beyond her years. Resourceful. Her parents are...jeez, I don't even know what freaking word to use. Her parents (if Liam was even her real dad) are a hot mess. This girl had to fend for herself AND care for her younger infant brother basically from the time she was a small child. Because of some of the deranged things her mother polluted her mind with, she's hyper vigilant of people and germs and pretty much anything.The only thing she takes comfort in is sneaking out at night and watching the stars. And it's on a night like this, when she's lying under the stars, that she happens to meet Kellen. Well, she saves his life actually.I have to say that the writing in this book is some of the most exceptional I've ever read in my life. And that is saying a lot. I've read some great stuff. The way that it is narrated is completely brilliant as well. I don't see another way to have told this story. There are many, many points of view. Probably close to 10 or more. But, all of them are geared toward Kellen and Wavy and how THEY see them. So then when you read Wavy and Kellen's POV, it is SOOOO much more revealing.For example, if you read Kellen's description from Wavy's POV, you would think that he was the most beautiful man who ever roamed the earth. When, in actuality, he is very average looking. Simple. Over-weight. Not super attractive—hardly even swoon-worthy BBF material. But that's not how Wavy sees him. That's just one example. The book is FILLED with things like this. Showing them to you. Brilliant.It's also freaking funny in places that it really shouldn't have been. I seriously almost peed my pants from laughing so hard when Wavy gave her deposition. So freaking wrong, but I laughed my ass off.Basically, Kellen is the only person who gave a shit about Wavy and her brother, Donal. Her parents are the epitome of the word neglectful. And then some. If it weren't for him, she probably would be dead. And vice-versa. They saved each other."Thanks, but I just came to get Wavy." Kellen looked at me for a second, not long enough. Liam [her dad] made me feel invisible. I needed Kellen to see me."And for those of you who are squeamish about the underage thing, just know that this book is just not like that. It's not written in an in your face, taboo for the sake of being taboo way. It's raw and unapologetic and honest. Yes, lines are crossed. Big ones. SOME things happen when Wavy is thirteen that any OTHER thirteen year old probably wouldn't be emotionally ready for, but it is consensual and if anything, she is the one pushing for it. I have two girls. I get it. But for me, this book never rubbed me the wrong way. Yes, she was 13, BUT the girl was pretty much an adult mentally by then. Based on the hard life she had led. At least, that is the story that I read. Of course, it is open for interpretation and not everyone will feel the same way. That is the beauty of reading. Me? I was so rooting for these two to get their HEA.But, fret not, the very controversy that this book is getting is ironic because it's what happens in this story. People vilify Kellen. They think he's a monster, a pedophile. They want to beat him up, keep him from a job, keep him from living any type of normal life. They don't want him to exist. Just like many did not want this book to exist.I pretty much felt like Wavy's roommate, Renee, who was one of my fave secondary characters of the book, by the way. Chick was hilarious!"I wanted a fairy tale ending for Wavy, because if she could find happiness, there would be hope for me, too."This was one of my top 5 reads of 2016 so far. I think it should be made into a film. I don't have enough wonderful things to say about it except that I highly, highly recommend it.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2016
Speechless. This book made me gasp, cry, and laugh. Impossibly beautiful.
It's not often that I write a full review anymore. If I do, it has to be that the book REALLY moved me. Shook me to my core. And, boy, did this story do just that.
I love a story that is controversial, taboo, out of the box, and one that is thought provoking. Not in a shock value type of way, but in an authentic way. I know that this book has had its fair share of controversy surrounding it and I am not even going to give voice to any of that. Because there is no way (in my mind) that anyone could interpret what happened in this book as anything but beautiful. To me, Wavy and Kellen are lovers who will love each other for hundreds of years. Soul mates. That type of love that knows no bounds, and cannot be limited by age, race, sex, or any other dividing factor that society imposes upon us to tell us who we can and cannot love.
I think old man Cutcheon said it best:
"You know," I said. "I married Paola when she was fourteen. And I was twenty-six. Her parents had eleven kids and they was glad to get her settled."
Kellen's reply to that was that those were "different days," and they were. Now, because of 1% of the population who is disgusting, sick, and perverse, ALL love that looks like this is filthy and wrong, right? Well, I disagree. I don't like generalizing ANYTHING. Because in my experience, life always comes with exceptions.
Anywho, I digress. Back to the book.
Wavy is a quiet girl. Smart way beyond her years. Resourceful. Her parents are...jeez, I don't even know what freaking word to use. Her parents (if Liam was even her real dad) are a hot mess. This girl had to fend for herself AND care for her younger infant brother basically from the time she was a small child. Because of some of the deranged things her mother polluted her mind with, she's hyper vigilant of people and germs and pretty much anything.
The only thing she takes comfort in is sneaking out at night and watching the stars. And it's on a night like this, when she's lying under the stars, that she happens to meet Kellen. Well, she saves his life actually.
I have to say that the writing in this book is some of the most exceptional I've ever read in my life. And that is saying a lot. I've read some great stuff. The way that it is narrated is completely brilliant as well. I don't see another way to have told this story. There are many, many points of view. Probably close to 10 or more. But, all of them are geared toward Kellen and Wavy and how THEY see them. So then when you read Wavy and Kellen's POV, it is SOOOO much more revealing.
For example, if you read Kellen's description from Wavy's POV, you would think that he was the most beautiful man who ever roamed the earth. When, in actuality, he is very average looking. Simple. Over-weight. Not super attractive—hardly even swoon-worthy BBF material. But that's not how Wavy sees him. That's just one example. The book is FILLED with things like this. Showing them to you. Brilliant.
It's also freaking funny in places that it really shouldn't have been. I seriously almost peed my pants from laughing so hard when Wavy gave her deposition. So freaking wrong, but I laughed my ass off.
Basically, Kellen is the only person who gave a shit about Wavy and her brother, Donal. Her parents are the epitome of the word neglectful. And then some. If it weren't for him, she probably would be dead. And vice-versa. They saved each other.
"Thanks, but I just came to get Wavy." Kellen looked at me for a second, not long enough. Liam [her dad] made me feel invisible. I needed Kellen to see me."
And for those of you who are squeamish about the underage thing, just know that this book is just not like that. It's not written in an in your face, taboo for the sake of being taboo way. It's raw and unapologetic and honest. Yes, lines are crossed. Big ones. SOME things happen when Wavy is thirteen that any OTHER thirteen year old probably wouldn't be emotionally ready for, but it is consensual and if anything, she is the one pushing for it. I have two girls. I get it. But for me, this book never rubbed me the wrong way. Yes, she was 13, BUT the girl was pretty much an adult mentally by then. Based on the hard life she had led. At least, that is the story that I read. Of course, it is open for interpretation and not everyone will feel the same way. That is the beauty of reading. Me? I was so rooting for these two to get their HEA.
But, fret not, the very controversy that this book is getting is ironic because it's what happens in this story. People vilify Kellen. They think he's a monster, a pedophile. They want to beat him up, keep him from a job, keep him from living any type of normal life. They don't want him to exist. Just like many did not want this book to exist.
I pretty much felt like Wavy's roommate, Renee, who was one of my fave secondary characters of the book, by the way. Chick was hilarious!
"I wanted a fairy tale ending for Wavy, because if she could find happiness, there would be hope for me, too."
This was one of my top 5 reads of 2016 so far. I think it should be made into a film. I don't have enough wonderful things to say about it except that I highly, highly recommend it.
It's not often that I write a full review anymore. If I do, it has to be that the book REALLY moved me. Shook me to my core. And, boy, did this story do just that.
I love a story that is controversial, taboo, out of the box, and one that is thought provoking. Not in a shock value type of way, but in an authentic way. I know that this book has had its fair share of controversy surrounding it and I am not even going to give voice to any of that. Because there is no way (in my mind) that anyone could interpret what happened in this book as anything but beautiful. To me, Wavy and Kellen are lovers who will love each other for hundreds of years. Soul mates. That type of love that knows no bounds, and cannot be limited by age, race, sex, or any other dividing factor that society imposes upon us to tell us who we can and cannot love.
I think old man Cutcheon said it best:
"You know," I said. "I married Paola when she was fourteen. And I was twenty-six. Her parents had eleven kids and they was glad to get her settled."
Kellen's reply to that was that those were "different days," and they were. Now, because of 1% of the population who is disgusting, sick, and perverse, ALL love that looks like this is filthy and wrong, right? Well, I disagree. I don't like generalizing ANYTHING. Because in my experience, life always comes with exceptions.
Anywho, I digress. Back to the book.
Wavy is a quiet girl. Smart way beyond her years. Resourceful. Her parents are...jeez, I don't even know what freaking word to use. Her parents (if Liam was even her real dad) are a hot mess. This girl had to fend for herself AND care for her younger infant brother basically from the time she was a small child. Because of some of the deranged things her mother polluted her mind with, she's hyper vigilant of people and germs and pretty much anything.
The only thing she takes comfort in is sneaking out at night and watching the stars. And it's on a night like this, when she's lying under the stars, that she happens to meet Kellen. Well, she saves his life actually.
I have to say that the writing in this book is some of the most exceptional I've ever read in my life. And that is saying a lot. I've read some great stuff. The way that it is narrated is completely brilliant as well. I don't see another way to have told this story. There are many, many points of view. Probably close to 10 or more. But, all of them are geared toward Kellen and Wavy and how THEY see them. So then when you read Wavy and Kellen's POV, it is SOOOO much more revealing.
For example, if you read Kellen's description from Wavy's POV, you would think that he was the most beautiful man who ever roamed the earth. When, in actuality, he is very average looking. Simple. Over-weight. Not super attractive—hardly even swoon-worthy BBF material. But that's not how Wavy sees him. That's just one example. The book is FILLED with things like this. Showing them to you. Brilliant.
It's also freaking funny in places that it really shouldn't have been. I seriously almost peed my pants from laughing so hard when Wavy gave her deposition. So freaking wrong, but I laughed my ass off.
Basically, Kellen is the only person who gave a shit about Wavy and her brother, Donal. Her parents are the epitome of the word neglectful. And then some. If it weren't for him, she probably would be dead. And vice-versa. They saved each other.
"Thanks, but I just came to get Wavy." Kellen looked at me for a second, not long enough. Liam [her dad] made me feel invisible. I needed Kellen to see me."
And for those of you who are squeamish about the underage thing, just know that this book is just not like that. It's not written in an in your face, taboo for the sake of being taboo way. It's raw and unapologetic and honest. Yes, lines are crossed. Big ones. SOME things happen when Wavy is thirteen that any OTHER thirteen year old probably wouldn't be emotionally ready for, but it is consensual and if anything, she is the one pushing for it. I have two girls. I get it. But for me, this book never rubbed me the wrong way. Yes, she was 13, BUT the girl was pretty much an adult mentally by then. Based on the hard life she had led. At least, that is the story that I read. Of course, it is open for interpretation and not everyone will feel the same way. That is the beauty of reading. Me? I was so rooting for these two to get their HEA.
But, fret not, the very controversy that this book is getting is ironic because it's what happens in this story. People vilify Kellen. They think he's a monster, a pedophile. They want to beat him up, keep him from a job, keep him from living any type of normal life. They don't want him to exist. Just like many did not want this book to exist.
I pretty much felt like Wavy's roommate, Renee, who was one of my fave secondary characters of the book, by the way. Chick was hilarious!
"I wanted a fairy tale ending for Wavy, because if she could find happiness, there would be hope for me, too."
This was one of my top 5 reads of 2016 so far. I think it should be made into a film. I don't have enough wonderful things to say about it except that I highly, highly recommend it.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
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