Sarah Carlson

This was a really good book to kick off February with. Fiona is an American girl who goes to Belfast to meet the father and brothers she never knew. While there, she meets Danny and quickly befriends him. Little does she know that Danny is from the other side of the wall. Fiona soon discovers the real reason why her mom fled to Madison, her dad’s secret and why Danny may not be the best person for her to be friends with. This was a quick read that I really enjoyed and look forward to learning more about The Troubles.… (mer)

There are plenty of YA books around the themes of addiction and family dysfunction. What sets this one apart and above many of the rest is how well the author portrays the flow of insanity that permeates the thinking of family members affected by someone else's addictive behavior. Those affected are on a razor's edge much of the time, battling anger, fear, flickering hope and feeling like the addict's disease and accompanying behavior are hiding in the dark, like a boogeyman, waiting to kick any semblance of normal back to the curb. It's those dynamics as shown through the words and actions of Rose, Hollis, Sage and Vi, not to mention their dad and grandmother. The way their mother's overdose derailed their ability to function at school is expertly done. This is an emotionally loaded book and deserves a place in most libraries.… (mer)

*I WAS PROVIDED A PHYSICAL COPY IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. THIS DOESN'T AFFECT MY OPINION*

When Sarah pitched me her book to review, I immediately agreed to take it on. I don't think you know how difficult it is to find books centered in countries other than the USA, UK, or some other made up place. Ireland is a part of my family's history, and getting to read a book centered there is like a dream come true.

Fiona is a character I think we'd all be able to relate to if we were forced into the same situation as her. A teenage girl, suddenly finding out that her Irish dad isn't as deadbeat as she thought? Oh, and to add to it, she's got two, older half-brothers with a nephew? I'd be pretty irritated to have had that hidden from me too.

We're thrown into her story as she arrives in Ireland, finally meeting the family she'd only dreamed of having with her. However, this picture perfect dream came to a halting stop after she unveiled some horrifying information about her father.

Danny is a character we can all sympathize for. He lives in an abusive household with people who turn a blind eye. He has big wishes to run off to the army and become a nurse, and that perspective doesn't shift when he meets Fiona.

Their stories merge quickly and smoothly, bringing about love, drama, and forgiveness. Other than one familial misunderstanding feeling a bit forced, the entire novel was great and I loved it. For that, I rate this book 4 stars. I do suggest it, and I can't wait to see what Carlson writes next.… (mer)