Jolene Stockman

Full review at: http://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress...

I received an ecopy of this book in return for an honest review.

Jawbreaker: Unlocking the (U)niverse is a short but substantial read aimed at young adults and focused around the tools required to create your identity the way you want and/or need it to be. Divided into short chapters centred around a theme, the book covers a range of personal development concepts in easy-to-understand language, with the added benefit of suggested activities that can be dipped or delved into depending on how deep the reader wants to go.

I was initially slightly put off by the chirpy, cheerleader-style language of the initial chapter, but quickly got over this as it swiftly became apparent that the content of the book was both relevant to the target age, and easy to apply to one's personal circumstances. One of the notable things about the content was the author's repeated acknowledgement that personal growth takes time. This is an important concept to grasp for the intended audience and it was reassuring to know that the book was not touting the suggestions as a quick-fix, two-minute solution to a perfect life.

This book will greatly appeal to the target audience and in particular, young women who are ready to undertake some basic introspection regarding how they want to be in the world.… (mer)

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review*

Author
Jolene Stockman is an award winning writer, speaker, and an expert for Girlfriend Magazine Australia. She is a Master of Neuro Linguistic Programming, and one of the youngest in the world to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award. Jolene lives in New Zealand, and is the author of Total Blueprint for World Domination. The Jelly Bean Crisis is her debut fiction.
Learn more at www.jolenestockman.com

Review
This book was every bit what I hoped it would be. A sweet relaxing read about a serious subject.
We often discuss if 16 is not to young for people to decide what they want with the rest of their lives. In the Netherlands where I live it is common for about 60% of the teenagers to hit that point when they are 16. I loved the way the author tackled that issue in this book.
Poppy, the main character, is easy to connect too. She is a young woman wanting the best in her life and actually a straight A student due to hard work combined with common sense. When she realizes that other people think it will come to them no matter what because it is what they want she starts to doubt herself. Wondering if she is making the right choices for herself. Her struggle is written out very realistic. As a person who made a career switch at 27 I could easily connect with that feeling.
What I also liked a lot was the way Poppy her friends where reacting and how life happened and things got weird between the friends because they where at different points in their lives. It was very real life how that was described.
I think this is a great book for every person who is at a point in her or his life where the question "is this it?" pops up. It gives you subjects to consider without making it complicated, difficult and all the bad that usually comes with a mood like that.… (mer)