Mundie Moms

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

ALL IN PIECES by Suzanne Young / Book Review


By: Suzanne Young
Published by: Simon Pulse
To Be Released on: November 8th, 2016
Pre-Order from: Simon & SchusterAmazonB&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 5 stars 
I received a copy of the book from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review

From New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young comes a heartrending new novel about a girl struggling to deal with anger issues while taking care of her younger brother with special needs.

“Anger-management issues.”

That’s how they classified Savannah Sutton after she stuck a pencil in her ex-boyfriend’s hand because he mocked her little brother, Evan, for being disabled. That’s why they sent her to Brooks Academy—an alternative high school that’s used as a temporary detention center.

The days at Brooks are miserable, but at home, life is far more bleak. Savvy’s struggling to take care of her brother since her mom left years ago, and her alcoholic dad can’t be bothered. Life with Evan is a constant challenge, but he’s also the most important person in the world to Savvy.

Then there’s Cameron, a new student at Brooks with issues of his own; a guy from a perfect family that Savvy thought only existed on TV. Cameron seems determined to break through every one of the walls Savvy’s built around herself, except if she lets herself trust him, it could make everything she’s worked so hard for fall apart in an instant.

And with her aunt seeking custody of her brother and her ex-boyfriend seeking revenge, Savvy’s fighting to hold all the pieces together. But she’s not sure how much tighter she can be pulled before she breaks completely.




ALL IN PIECES is a realistic contemporary that pulled at my heart strings, had me cheering for the main characters, and made me feel so many emotions while reading this book. Suzanne Young, your book has a new spot on my shelves.

I'm going to be really honest, at first glance, this is a book I had no intention of reading. Yet somehow I'm now writing a 5 star review for it, and I can't stop thinking about it, or it's characters. I can't get this book out of my head. One scene was it all it took for me to realize I had to read this book. I literally randomly flipped to a scene in the book to see if it would peak my interest, and I was hooked! There was something about the way this boy, who seemed to have it all, was sweet, tender, and protective of this very broken, yet from strong willed girl. There was so much that was spoken between these two characters in this scene, yet hardly anything was said between them. I had to know more.

Savvy is a character I easily cheered for. This poor girl has everything going against her, yet she never waivers on her devotion and fierce love she has for her younger brother. She'd do anything for him, no matter the cost. I really admire the way Young realistic portrayed Savvy's disabled brother. She didn't sugar coat the reality of what it's like to deal with the issues that come into play with her brother. There's pain, and happiness too, but there's a lot that goes into taking care of her brother. That plays a big role in all that's going on in this book. Savvy has strength and determination I admired. Her struggles and the crappy hand she's been dwelt in life, broke my heart. I felt her pain. I wanted to do anything I could to help her. 

Then there's Cameron. My word this boy is just what Savvy needs. Someone who will not be deterred by her walls she's put up, or her stubbornness. Cameron poses a quiet strength  a calmness and the patience Savvy needs. He's someone that accepts her for who she is, regardless of what she's got going on, and not only that, he accepts her brother without a second thought. Savvy is the kind of girl who needs someone who will let her be, but someone who will also be there when she needs him, even if she says she doesn't need anyone. I love how Cameron is able to get under her skin (in an oh so fabulous way), and make her open up in ways she never has before. He is what holds Savvy together. He picks her up when she falls apart, and allows her to just be. It's through these moments that I couldn't help but love this boy as much as Savvy does. 

Young's characters are ones that don't just stick within the pages of their book. These characters are ones who spring to life, and stay with you long after your finish their story. There's this raw, heartbreaking, brutal honesty to the writing of these characters. It's not pretty with all they deal with. I appreciated getting to know Young's characters through the manner of which she told their story. I loved not only Savvy, and her brother, but Cameron, and his family, and Savvy's friends. I swear there's irony in the fact I was going to pass over this title, and instead found myself spending the afternoon sucked into Savvy's world. I literally could not put this book down. I am not a contemporary reader. I am extremely picky when it comes to my YA contemps, but this book, there was something about the characters that I just couldn't say no to reading this book once I started it. 

Young doesn't shy away from writing about some sensitive topics. Topics like anger management, drug use, alcoholism, sex, broken families, sexual harassment, assault, and disabilities. She writes these issues in a way that felt real. This book is a realistic contemporary. It's dark, it's gritty, it's heartbreaking, and painful at times to read. Yet, there's hope, and love, and not giving up. ALL IN PIECES is one of those realistic, gritty YA contemps that reminds me a lot of Lisa McMann's Gone series, and Katie McGarry's series. 

All the book feels for this book! Suzanne Young may have written her best book yet... at least in my opinion. This book is going on my shelf next to Katie McGarry's books. ALL IN PIECES is a well written book that will give readers hope, and have them easily cheering on these characters. Most importantly, someone who reads this will relate to Savvy's story, and realize they're not alone. 

*There is language, and some of the issues I listed above, that may be sensitive to younger readers. 

1 comment:

  1. I'm sort of curious about this one :D Not really my genre, though.. sigh. But you make it sound pretty awesome :) Gorgeous review Katie. <3 Yay for loving it so much.

    ReplyDelete

Labels