The story is told through dual narrations of both 14 year-old Julian and his former foster brother, charismatic 18 year-old Adam. Julian lost his parents to a tragic car accident; Julian didn’t have any close relatives to live with at the time, so he was put into foster care. Adam’s mother, Catherine, took Julian in—and both Adam and Catherine, gave the boy a loving home for many long months until his cold and mean uncle—from marriage—came to claim him. After Julian’s uncle, Russell, takes Julian away from Adam and Catherine, Russell ends all communication between Julian and his foster family.
Five years later, Julian enters his freshmen year in high school while Adam enters his senior year. Adam “literally” walks into Julian’s life when he is given a special assignment to escort Julian to his counseling session that Julian has been skipping. Although the boys are thrilled to be reunited, there is a sense of uneasiness. Adam realizes that Julian has changed into a shy, reclusive, timid, fragile, boy who has low self-esteem. The author, Roe, unveils a gripping story of a boy enduring child abuse. But it is also a story about the power of friendship and the brotherly-love that emerges out of it as well.
This has been another great read that I have read in 2017, thus far—it has also become one of my favorite YA novel’s. As a former counselor, Roe has had professional experience in dealing with children who have been abused. Because of her experiences, it made the book and characters feel as if they were really real. The book stuffed me with so much raw emotion—it was hard to contain my feelings as I was reading this book. This is Roe’s debut novel—her very first—and I think that she did an impeccable job; her writing is beautiful and so is the story. It is a five star rating all the way.
x, Kayla
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