This book has been on my wishlist for a long time after seeing other bloggers’ reviews on it. However, I could never find it at local book shops and I don’t order books online very often. Thus, I am just getting this book in my hands now after a thoughtful stranger sent it to me as part of the Reddit Book Exchange. I am kicking myself for not ordering it earlier!
Anyway, Live Through This follows the life of Coley Sterling. Coley is the girl we all wish we could’ve been. She is attractive, her family is financially secure, she is a member of the school’s dance team, and she is in the midst of a budding romance. However, this book embodies the quote, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.”
Someone who is closely integrated into Coley’s life is sexual assaulting her. We find this out within the first chapter of the book in a very graphic scene. This may be off-putting to some, but I found it incredibly realistic and I really felt for Coley. No one should ever have to go through that kind of abuse. However, don’t get me wrong, the abuse is not the main focus of the novel. What Mindi Scott gives us is a heartbreaking story of an emotionally distraught teenager trying to make sense of the world.
Throughout the novel, we are left wondering who the perpetrator that harms Coley is. We are also made aware of a falling out between Coley and her former best friend. Lastly, we lay witness to the internal struggles Coley faces in regards to her sexual life with Reece. There was a lot of suspense and it really drove the story. I found myself flying through the pages trying to figure out the mystery surrounding these struggles.
Let’s talk about Reece for a second. Coley has developed a crush on him and he has also on her. We get to witness adorable exchanges between the two throughout the novel. One of my favorite parts of the novel was the little music lyric game they played together. One person would say a random lyric such as, “Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone,” and then the other will guess what song it is from. Each lyric is different and they range from straight up corny to adorable. This melted my heart! I would compare their relationship to Eleanor and Parks, they just work so well together. Also, the giraffe presents! Oof. Anyways, I loved them together!
I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s not very often that I find a young adult book tackling such a sensitive issue and doing it well. This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next. I can’t explain how invested I was in Coley’s life. If you want a thought-provoking book with an adorable romance in between, this is your book.
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Putting it on my wishlist right now. Thanks for the recommend
Aisha recently posted..Spotlight & #Giveaway: Sex & The Single Vamp
Awesome! I hope you love it just as much as I did!
Cassie Conant recently posted..One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson | Audiobook Review
This is an amazing book. You said it best in the fact that its a thought provoking story, one that may not sit well with others; however, the way its told is so beautiful that you can’t help but be transfixed by it. Love your review!
Ginger @ GReads! recently posted..My Top Ten Gateway Authors In My Reading Journey To Adult Books
Exactly! Thank you for reading it! I think it is an important story that needed to be told. Hopefully more people will start picking it up!
Cassie Conant recently posted..One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson | Audiobook Review
Great review, Cassie! Here’s where I admit to having had a copy of this on my shelf for about year, but I’ve still not read it and now I really regret forgetting about it. It sounds like a really intense read and I hope to get to it soon.
The Bookish Manicurist recently posted..While We Run by Karen Healey
Thank you! That’s how I felt about not ordering it online. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to read it! Hopefully you can get to it soon, it’s a great read!
Cassie Conant recently posted..One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson | Audiobook Review
This sounds like the book I wanted FAKING NORMAL to be. Awesome review!
Lisa is Busy Nerding recently posted..Top Ten Gateway Reads
Ohhh I’ve heard about Faking Normal and I think I have it on my iPad but I haven’t gotten around to reading it. Good to know, thank you!
Cassie Conant recently posted..One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson | Audiobook Review
I wanted to read this when it came out, but I guess since then I haven’t seen it around at bookstores or the library either. Sounds like it’s definitely worth ordering. I like dark, emotional contemporaries, so this should be one I’d like. Great review!!
Michelle (Pink Polka Dot Book Blog) recently posted..Reviewers’ Roundtable- Personal Beliefs
Oh I would definitely describe it as a dark, emotional contemporary! Definitely pick it up when you can! Thank you!
Cassie Conant recently posted..One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson | Audiobook Review
Hey Cassie, I picked it up and read it, and OHMGOD what a book!! It was an excellent read thanks for sharing with us.
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