Publication Date: 1st October 2013
Pages: 165
Book Source: Escape Publishing/Harlequin Aust
Synopsis: Moody, atmospheric, and just a little bit punk, Finding Home takes contemporary YA to a new level of grit...
When Amy’s mum dies, the last thing she expects is to be kicked off her dad’s music tour all the way to her Aunt Lou in a depressing hole of a seaside town. But it’s okay — Amy learned how to cope with the best, and soon finds a hard-drinking, party-loving crowd to help ease the pain.
The only solace is her music class, but even there she can’t seem to keep it together, sabotaging her grade and her one chance at a meaningful relationship. It takes a hard truth from her only friend before Amy realises that she has to come to terms with her past, before she destroys her future.
The only solace is her music class, but even there she can’t seem to keep it together, sabotaging her grade and her one chance at a meaningful relationship. It takes a hard truth from her only friend before Amy realises that she has to come to terms with her past, before she destroys her future.
My Thoughts:
Finding Home is a story of self discovery with tough issues front and centre ... grief, alcohol abuse, unprotected sex, acceptance and relationship difficulties.
It should have been easy to dislike Amy, she's
a train wreck, spiteful, obnoxious, immature and self destructive but she
actually felt real. I cut her some slack as she's grieving not only the loss of
her mother but what she feels is abandonment by her father.
And in truth, the significant 'parents' in the
story are pretty much absent, clueless or completely irresponsible ... no
parent of the year awards need be handed out here. I know communication with
teenagers is challenging at the best of times, add grief, pain and
misunderstanding and you get a whole world of hurt, but really ....
Amy grows up over the course of the novel, it
was good to see her find her place, and a little peace ... I'm sure the
metaphorical slap around the head from true friend Lucy helped. I liked Lucy, a
lot and Nick too, he was probably my favourite character. Luke on the other
hand was a total ass-hat, and Amy falling for such a dick, made me throw up a
little ;)
Despite my low tolerance for angst I thought
Finding Home was well written and a quick, satisfying read, one I'm sure teens
will relate to.
Connect with Lauren K McKellar
Purchase Finding Home
Sounds like a pretty decent book! Will have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteanother Aussie author I'm keen to read again!
DeleteHow did you really feel about Luke? ;)
ReplyDeletehahaha Stacy, was I clear enough :)
DeleteSounds great! I need to read this!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy Jaime, let me know what you think :)
ReplyDeleteThat is sure a short book
ReplyDeleteI like short and quick reads that pack a punch. Sounds good =)
ReplyDelete