Clean - Mia Kerick (Book Review)

Clean by Mia Kerick
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Romance
Publication date: December 1, 2015
Publisher: YoungDudes Publishing
Format: ebook, 308 pages
How I got it: YA Bound Book Tours for an honest review
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My rating: 5/5
 
High school senior Lanny Keating has it all. A three-sport athlete at Lauserville High School looking at a college football scholarship, with a supportive family, stellar grades, boy band good looks… until the fateful day when it all falls apart. 

Seventeen-year-old Trevor Ladd has always been a publicly declared zero and the high school badboy. Abandoned by his mother and sexually abused by his legal guardian, Trevor sets his sights on mere survival.

Lanny seeks out Trevor’s companionship to avoid his shattered home life. Unwilling to share their personal experiences of pain, the boys explore ways to escape, leading them into sexual experimentation, and the abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol. Their mutual suffering creates a lasting bond of friendship and love.

When the time finally comes to get clean and sober, or flunk out of high school, only one of the boys will graduate, while the other spirals downward into addiction.
Will Lanny and Trevor find the strength to battle their demons of mind-altering substances as well as emotional vulnerability?

Clean takes the reader on a gritty trip into the real and raw world of teenage substance abuse.

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My thoughts:

This books gives the reader a lot to think about right from the beginning, it starts off with an overdose and then expands on how the characters got into that situation.   The story is very well written in regards to showing the downward spiral of alcohol and drugs.  I will try my best not to give to many spoilers.

Drugs are becoming more of an issue it seems in schools due to the abuse of prescription medications.   I love how the book showed alcohol abuse and needing a high, which lead to using prescription medications.  It is exactly how the news depicts the beginning of drug abuse.  The need to get high takes over and you try different things to achieve that.  The author did an excellent job conveying this to the reader.  It was easy to see how the drinking lead to the drugs.

Another aspect of the book that is very well written is that as a reader we actually get to see what happens after the overdose and how Lanny reconstructions his life this leads people to see there is hope after substance addiction.  Lanny was sent to a rehab facility and entered a AA program.  During the rehab we get to see that the entire family started going to therapy and a  lot of the issues that Lanny was dealing with in regards to his family where confronted head on.  Lanny also needs to make amends with people who he was wronger and that included Trevor.

Trevor's life also has some very large issues that he does not discuss with a lot of people and also tries to run away from.  Eddie becomes his caregiver during the book and tries to help Trevor to confront his issues.   Trevor is not able to fully open to Lanny until he comes to apologize for his wrongdoings.  Trevor does not warm up easily, but eventually see that he can open up to people. 

The author takes several large issues of substance abuse along with sexual abuse and does a great job writing about them where the reader can understand fully what is going on, but also it doesn't overwhelm the reader.  There is enough details that you know what is going on, but not to many details to feel like you can't read through it.   

Another issue touched on is communication, in the end everything does get better because the characters where able to open up and talk to one another.   I think that communication in any relationship is key and trying to ignore issues and not talk about them doesn't help anyone.  Lanny blamed himself for what happened to his sister and thought his parents blamed him as well, but in turn they were all feeling the same way, but not communicating it.   If they had been talking and maybe gone to group therapy before since it was a major life change would the alcohol become a major issue is a question I would want to ask.

I suggest this as more of a weekend read.  It gives you a lot to think about and I feel it takes some time to digest all of this information.   It is not that long of a book so it was easy to read over one weekend.  

I was received this from the YA Bound Book Tours for the purpose of providing an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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About the Author

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.


Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuff'ed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.


Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

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{Blog Tour} The Art of Hero Worship - Mia Kerick (Review & Giveaway)

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Book Description:

Trembling on the floor, pressed beneath a row of seats in a dark theater, college freshman Jason Tripp listens to the terrifying sound of gunshots, as an unknown shooter moves methodically through the theater, randomly murdering men, women, and children attending a student performance of Hamlet. Junior Liam Norcross drapes his massive body on top of Jason, sheltering the younger man from the deathly hail of bullets, risking his life willingly, and maybe even eagerly.

As a result of the shared horror, an extraordinary bond forms between the two young men, which causes discomfort for family and friends, as well as for Jason and Liam, themselves. And added to the challenge of two previously “straight” men falling into a same-sex love, are the complications that arise from the abundance of secrets Liam holds with regard to a past family tragedy. The fledgling passion between the men seems bound to fade away into the darkness from which it emerged.

Jason, however, is inexplicably called to rescue his hero in return, by delving into Liam’s shady past and uncovering the mystery that compels the older man to act as the college town’s selfless savior.

The Art of Hero Worship takes the reader on a voyage from the dark and chilling chaos that accompanies a mass shooting to the thrill of an unexpected and sensual romance. 

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Review:
The book starts with a tragedy already in process.  The first few chapters flew by because you want to know what is going on and who is involved in everything.   It was a little confusing who the characters where in the beginning so once you got a few pages in you were able to begin to work out who is who and what was going on.   I think it took me a few moments to realize that Liam and Jason didn't really know each other that well in the beginning since I felt like they clicked really well.

This was the first book that I read that was M/M and it was very enjoyable.  It was written very well that I didn't feel uncomfortable with any descriptions of what was going on at all, it seemed like a normal romance book.   Jason and Liam where going through their own issues so as we learn more and more about how they feel they grow in their relationship together.  It felt like a very natural progression.

I loved how the author did the character development.  We learned information as we needed to learn it.  I loved when we learned what was going on in Liam's life it was the perfect way to be introduced into it.  We got a brief overview and then got to feel what it was like for Liam when we meet his parents.  Jason's mom is another one of my favorite characters she might be overbearing and a worrier, but she is very understanding.

I think some of the issues the book touched on where handled ok, I liked the points the author made, but I did still have some concerns with them.  The first major issue is PTSD I think this is more common today due to a large amount of violence occurring in society.  I think the author did a good job was describing this for the reader, I felt that she sort of skimmed over the support group, which Jason did mention was very helpful for him.  I would have love to know more about the support group since both Jason and Liam where overcoming a huge life changing event and PTSD is a series issue.  Plus Jason was the only one who was head on mentioning his PTSD I think it could have been discussed more between the other characters and also with Liam as well. 

I love the descriptions that the author did give us.  I felt like I could completely picture what both Liam and Jase looked like in my mind.  I also felt like I was in the theater when the shooting occurred, the scene was very well written to feel like the reader was a part of it.

This is a short books so I would recommend this as a nighttime read.  The beginning starts off crazy so the first few chapters it is hard to put down, but after that I feel there are places where you can take breaks.

I received this book from Red Moon Book Tours in exchange for a honest review.  This did not effect my opinion of this book. 

My Rating:  4/5

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Excerpt:

Pop-pop-pop....

At this point he’s in the back of the theater, and the shooting hasn’t slowed down at all. Gunshots ring out steadily in the shadowy darkness... always in sets of three, letting me know where he is. I’m scared... so fucking scared... but not too scared to wonder what I did to deserve this special little slice of hell.

And I’m frozen... I can’t even move enough to swallow my spit. I know what I have to do—I have to look for Ginny, but I can’t since I’m frozen solid, like a leg of lamb in a walk-in freezer.

Pop-pop-pop... pop-pop-pop....

“I’ve been shot! Oh, sweet Jesus, I’ve been shot!”

Earsplitting blasts of sound—one, two, three. The gunshots have a life and a plan—no, a mission—all their own, to maim and kill by ripping through the flesh of everyone in this theater. I’m panting and sweating and wishing to God I knew how to pray because I’d so pray right now.

And as suddenly as it started, the shooting stops. Is it over? With the utmost caution, I exhale the breath I’ve been hanging onto so jealously... as if part of me fears I’ll never get the chance to take another. But one more wary breath moves in and out, and I know I have to get hold of myself so I can find her. Because it’s over now.... yes, I think maybe it’s ov—

Pop-pop-pop....

Life-sucking and blood-spattering and gurgle- inducing, evenly spaced sets of three that are becoming so horribly predictable. I brace myself for the impact because I just know the next pop is going to come with excruciating pain that explodes in my head or my back or, if I’m lucky, my ass. Or, if I’m not so lucky, in all three places, one right after another.

This isn’t happening. It can’t be happening.

Is nineteen too old to want my mommy?

“Get down! Get on the floor!” Somebody yells. Too late for that. I’m already flat on the floor in the narrow space between the rows of seats; my head is bleeding all over the arm it’s resting on.... My left arm? My right arm? Somebody else’s arm? Not so sure. Not so sure it matters.

“Don’t shoot me—please don’t—”

Pop-pop-pop.... 

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Bio: 

Mia Kerick Adult is an award-winning author of stories involving the type of life events that are riveting to read about, but you probably wouldn’t want to experience first hand. Into her fictional disasters, she sprinkles a sufficient quantity of touching and spicy adult LGBTQ romance to keep her readers coming back for more.

Having relocated from Boston, Massachusetts to rural New Hampshire, Mia lives with her doting husband, four brilliant and accomplished young adult children who will one day likely contribute to the establishment of world peace (Mia believes in self-fulfilling prophecies), and at least three too many cats. She suffers with a severe case of mall-withdrawal, which leads to frequent online shopping, and an overly personal relationship with the UPS driver. 

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Five Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven't Talked About Enough/In A While

I am continuing with the Top Ten Lists from the The Broke and the Bookish blog!   This week the theme is Five Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven't Talked About Enough/In A While.  This one took me some time to think about and come up with books that I love, but don't talk about enough.

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Five Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven't Talked About Enough/In A While

1)      The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum – This is one of my favorite books ever.  I think I read it at that moment in my life where I felt a little lost and this book had all the same emotions that I was going through presented to the reader.

2)      After You by Julie Buxbaum – After I fell in love with Julie’s first book I couldn’t help by love the second book.  Julie’s writing style really grabs me and I can’t wait for her next book to come out in April.

3)      Secrets of Sand Mountain - Philip C. Elrod – I think this could be an amazing book for a Book Club.  I love books that touch a bunch of topics to contemplate and make great discussions come alive.

4)      Henchgirl - Rita Stradling – One of the first YA Fantasy books I have read in a while and I couldn’t put it down.  I love the concept of dragons and can’t wait for the second book! 

5)      The Uncommon Reader - Alan Bennett – This is such a cute short book about reading that everyone should read.  It really makes you appreciate books and definitely enticed me to read more once I was done with it.

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What books do you love, but haven't talked about in awhile.

Enjoy your Tuesday & Happy Reading!  

{Blog Tour} Night Shift - B.R. Myers (Book Blitz)

Give It Back - Danielle Esplin (Book Review)

Give It Back by Danielle Esplin
Genres: Adult Fiction, Suspense
Publication date: April 15, 2016
Format: eARC, 330 pages
How I got it: ARC from author
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My rating: 5/5
 
This novel follows three characters: Lorraine, Lexy, and Ella.

Lorraine:

Not long ago, Lorraine lost her husband to another woman. She thought that was the worst thing that could happen to her, but soon she realizes it’s just the beginning of an everlasting nightmare.

Lexy:

Lexy, an au pair from London, moves to Seattle to help Lorraine with her infant son. But she didn’t come for the child…she came for something else.

Ella:

When Ella receives a call from her sister, Lorraine, who begs her to leave San Diego to spend time with her, she decides to take a few days off from work to visit her. Frightened to see how much Lorraine has weakened since her diagnosis eight months ago, she packs a bag and heads to Seattle with a foreboding feeling that this might be the last time she sees Lorraine.

But on her way to the airport, she learns that something shocking has happened since she last spoke with Lorraine and now. To make matters worse, once Ella arrives in Seattle, Lorraine’s story keeps changing, making Ella question how reliable her sister really is.

Soon Ella is entangled in a mysterious investigation, and more so, in the lives of everyone involved. She realizes not only that she won’t go home anytime soon but also that she’ll never look at others the same way she did before.

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My thoughts:
I love books that keep the suspense throughout the whole book.  I was not 100% sure what happened to Lorraine's son and also Lexy until the very end of the book.  The ending is also a WOW I did not see that coming at all and it keeps the suspense going.  This is a hard review to write because I don't want to give any spoilers and that will be very challenging.

I loved the layout of the book.  The chapters would go in between the characters and also in between past and present.  It really helped to create a full picture for the reader because Ella was trying to piece everything together and by going into Lorraine and Lexy's past we could piece the story together as the reader.  I could see how this can be overwhelming while reading, but paying attention to the name and the date helped to figure out what time it was in the book.  I loved that we also got to see Lorraine and Lexy's perspectives of different situations.  We also got to see Lorraine's deterioration from her disease, which just made the story more like is Lorraine telling the truth.

I loved how the author did the character development.  Lorraine we can see her disease start to take over her life and her lose the ability to know what was real and made up in her brain.  Also, we got to see Lorraine's tumor change her personality via Lexy's chapters.   Lexy we learn a lot about in bits and pieces, we know their is some guy in her life that made her move here, but we don't know the full story and the true Lexy to the way end of the book.  Ella seems thrown into this whole situation where she has no idea what is going on and who she can actually trust.  Ella is the one who needs to piece everything together in the end.

When someone goes through a tragic event in their life I feel like they always look back into the past to see what they could have done better.  I love that Ella keeps looking back at what she could have done better in her life and in the end decides to improve upon what she didn't like.  There are some things you can't take back with time and people do live with regrets.   

This is a easy book to read.  The chapters are nicely split up by character so it is easy to read.  I think this is a good weekend or vacation read.  There are portions that you are not going to want to stop reading because you need to know what is going to happen next.  I am pretty sure I binge read the last few pages standing in my kitchen half making dinner and half reading.   
 
I was received a copy of this book from the author for the purpose of providing an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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About the Author

Danielle Esplin studied Food Science with Chemistry at the University of Stellenbosch. She had a full-ride scholarship and was one of the top students. After three years of sleepless nights in the library and endless experiments in the laboratory, she realized that something was missing.

And that was writing fiction.

Without telling anyone, she packed her bags, waved her twin sister good-bye, trudged down the street and got on a bus to leave the country. When she crossed the border and entered Namibia, she switched her phone on and sent her mother a text. "I dropped out of University," she wrote and never looked back.

In Namibia, among the countless dunes that appeared like a half-closed girdle nestling the everlasting sea, her desire to write surfaced. Ever since she has been pursuing her dream to become a full-time writer. Danielle also loves to travel, and she writes about her adventures on her blog www.exploringmyplanet.com.

Today she lives with her husband in Seattle with her two pet rats, Skippy and Milo. In her spare time, she likes to sing, read or spend time with family and friends.

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