Scan barcode
naelany's review against another edition
5.0
I had the honor of getting an early copy (thank you, once again, by the way).
If you're ready to have your heart torn out, twisted, smoothed into shape again and put back in a better place than it was, then this is most certainly the book for you.
I could not help but fall in love with Aaron and Spencer. For different reasons (and some not so different, really), I wanted to hug these two numerous times - though with Aaron this would of course be ill-advised, considering.
There is so much that I could say about what happens here, but I'm almost afraid to for fear of giving away too much - even if I could find the words. Suffice it to say that the path these boys are on is a difficult one (and that is, in Aaron's case, putting it very mildly), but so very worth following. Just be ready with a few Kleenex, and allow yourself some time and space to really be with them.
Trust me, you won't regret it.
If you're ready to have your heart torn out, twisted, smoothed into shape again and put back in a better place than it was, then this is most certainly the book for you.
I could not help but fall in love with Aaron and Spencer. For different reasons (and some not so different, really), I wanted to hug these two numerous times - though with Aaron this would of course be ill-advised, considering.
There is so much that I could say about what happens here, but I'm almost afraid to for fear of giving away too much - even if I could find the words. Suffice it to say that the path these boys are on is a difficult one (and that is, in Aaron's case, putting it very mildly), but so very worth following. Just be ready with a few Kleenex, and allow yourself some time and space to really be with them.
Trust me, you won't regret it.
kumabear's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
on;y lost .5 because of the ending.....
this book was pure amzingness!
on;y lost .5 because of the ending.....
this book was pure amzingness!
suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
Would recommend you set aside an afternoon for this because once you start, you will not want to stop til it's done! It is intensely gripping and excellently written.
I admit that this was one of those books that you want to read, every blog post/review says you must read but I held back til I felt strong enough because I didn't know if I wanted to read about the bad.
Well, whilst the bad is there, in the flash backs and nightmares that Aaron has, when he is remembering or talking to someone, it is at a slight remove and whilst it is horrific, disturbing, makes you cry, it is not lived first person.
As other reviews have said, it is about acceptance and healing for both Aaron and Spencer.
It will make you cry and grin and want to shake some and kill others - literally - for what they did to Aaron and Juliette. And to raise a cheer for Spencer and his dad, Dr Thomas, who get the breakthrough to help Aaron.
But it is a hopeful story too - that Aaron will learn to reconnect with his family and the world. It is a lesson that actually those he connects with first are not his family and I can imagine that that would be hard in reality but understandable. There is obviously a long way to go and the book ends with the promise of progress.
I won this from the author on Elisa Rolle's blog along with the YA version a Broken Kind of Life. I read the two side by side and really there is not a lot of difference - the topic of a key therapy session is different and the epilogue starts slightly differently. I ranked here at 4* but it is probably a good 4.5* at least.
I admit that this was one of those books that you want to read, every blog post/review says you must read but I held back til I felt strong enough because I didn't know if I wanted to read about the bad.
Well, whilst the bad is there, in the flash backs and nightmares that Aaron has, when he is remembering or talking to someone, it is at a slight remove and whilst it is horrific, disturbing, makes you cry, it is not lived first person.
As other reviews have said, it is about acceptance and healing for both Aaron and Spencer.
It will make you cry and grin and want to shake some and kill others - literally - for what they did to Aaron and Juliette. And to raise a cheer for Spencer and his dad, Dr Thomas, who get the breakthrough to help Aaron.
But it is a hopeful story too - that Aaron will learn to reconnect with his family and the world. It is a lesson that actually those he connects with first are not his family and I can imagine that that would be hard in reality but understandable. There is obviously a long way to go and the book ends with the promise of progress.
I won this from the author on Elisa Rolle's blog along with the YA version a Broken Kind of Life. I read the two side by side and really there is not a lot of difference - the topic of a key therapy session is different and the epilogue starts slightly differently. I ranked here at 4* but it is probably a good 4.5* at least.
shazov's review against another edition
5.0
This is truly one of the most thought provoking, and poignant books I have read in a very long time.
Aaron is a story that made me at times cringe, want to reach out and hug different characters, and cry. It is a story about coming to terms with loss and the aftermath of a horrific event. Trying to find the strength to keep going. And it's a story of hope. Hope for a better way to live and, most of all, hope for a future. A future filled with love and living.
Thank you J.P. Barnaby for giving us this.
Aaron is a story that made me at times cringe, want to reach out and hug different characters, and cry. It is a story about coming to terms with loss and the aftermath of a horrific event. Trying to find the strength to keep going. And it's a story of hope. Hope for a better way to live and, most of all, hope for a future. A future filled with love and living.
Thank you J.P. Barnaby for giving us this.
liza5326's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely amazing story of survival and love. I had tears in my eyes more than ibce. The strength of both Aaron and Spencer came across in every word. The whole thing ripped your heart out and slowly rebuilt it. Simply beautiful.
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
5.0
To be honest, I was a little nervous about reading Aaron and even less interested in listening to the audio version. My problem is I really don’t care much about reading or listening to overly violent situations. According to the blurb, I was expecting to do a lot of cringing, but after reading the review by our very own Lisa, I decided to give it a try. At least I knew what I was getting into…right?
OMG…was I totally blown away!
As I listened to the first few chapters, I kept thinking…
Why is this kid still suffering?
Why is his mother coddling him?
Why isn’t Aaron in some sort of therapy?
As I got more involved in the storyline, all of sudden it dawned on me that this wasn’t so much about the trauma that led to Aaron’s problems but more about what was being done to help him recover from it. Instead of being upset, I found myself almost giddy with excitement as this young man took his first baby steps in order to reclaim his life!
For me, this was a well written story about recovering from trauma. J.P. Barnaby did an excellent job researching PTSD and its current treatments. I especially loved the fact that the doctor involved wanted Aaron to wean himself off the drugs he was taking in order to learn proper coping skills to deal with his PTSD symptoms. I haven’t been this moved since watching Good Will Hunting. Finding the right therapist does make a difference in the outcome of treating PTSD.
Anyway, Mr. Tyler Stevens did an awesome job in bringing this story to life. His presentation of the characters involved and the emotions expressed made this a very riveting story worth listening to. I came close to crying towards the end at what Aaron did with his mother, but the smile on my face wouldn’t let me. I know this is fiction, but I’ve know people who have PTSD, and any breakthrough is worth celebrating.
It’s a 5 Stars recommend listen!!! One note, though, I wouldn’t recommend it for those who may be sensitive to certain triggers since it deals with rape.
OMG…was I totally blown away!
As I listened to the first few chapters, I kept thinking…
Why is this kid still suffering?
Why is his mother coddling him?
Why isn’t Aaron in some sort of therapy?
As I got more involved in the storyline, all of sudden it dawned on me that this wasn’t so much about the trauma that led to Aaron’s problems but more about what was being done to help him recover from it. Instead of being upset, I found myself almost giddy with excitement as this young man took his first baby steps in order to reclaim his life!
For me, this was a well written story about recovering from trauma. J.P. Barnaby did an excellent job researching PTSD and its current treatments. I especially loved the fact that the doctor involved wanted Aaron to wean himself off the drugs he was taking in order to learn proper coping skills to deal with his PTSD symptoms. I haven’t been this moved since watching Good Will Hunting. Finding the right therapist does make a difference in the outcome of treating PTSD.
Anyway, Mr. Tyler Stevens did an awesome job in bringing this story to life. His presentation of the characters involved and the emotions expressed made this a very riveting story worth listening to. I came close to crying towards the end at what Aaron did with his mother, but the smile on my face wouldn’t let me. I know this is fiction, but I’ve know people who have PTSD, and any breakthrough is worth celebrating.
It’s a 5 Stars recommend listen!!! One note, though, I wouldn’t recommend it for those who may be sensitive to certain triggers since it deals with rape.
mousegoddess's review against another edition
3.0
I was of two minds on this one. really was. and all of it is spoilerific so I'll say now-rape survivors may be triggered by this story. just in case it's not abundantly clear.
okay, first and foremost, there was a LOT wrong with the shrink character. a lot. but the biggest part imo was shoved in to make a plot element work quicker. an ethical shrink, such as we are led to believe this guy is, would NOT out a patient. PARTICULARLY to his child who has made interest clear. just. no. I can see where the author was trying to go with this character, but missed a few steps along the way.
on the flip side, it was nice to have a rape survivor not just be a okay with sex because of the magical power of true love's cock. I've seen that more than a few times in mainstream romance and it skeeves me out.
time was a little nebulous and speaking as someone who has panic disorder (yay chemical imbalances with a genetic basis!) it bothered me that it seemed a little magic bulletish. panic attacks, anxiety attacks, they are hard to manage. incredibly. I understand space constraints, but having to battle constantly with people thinking I can just get over it ("it's all in your head!" "no shit, Sherlock") makes it a sore point with me.
so why did it get three stars? because what was done well was done very well. and I liked the teacher. had potential to be a five, but missed the mark.
on the flip side, it was nice to have a rape survivor not just be a okay with sex because of the magical power of true love's cock. I've seen that more than a few times in mainstream romance and it skeeves me out.
time was a little nebulous and speaking as someone who has panic disorder (yay chemical imbalances with a genetic basis!) it bothered me that it seemed a little magic bulletish. panic attacks, anxiety attacks, they are hard to manage. incredibly. I understand space constraints, but having to battle constantly with people thinking I can just get over it ("it's all in your head!" "no shit, Sherlock") makes it a sore point with me.
so why did it get three stars? because what was done well was done very well. and I liked the teacher. had potential to be a five, but missed the mark.
jkh107's review against another edition
4.0
Heartrending story about a young man dealing with PTSD after a brutal attack.
megankass's review against another edition
4.0
Apparently it's impossible to find a hurt/comfort story that isn't romance or fanfiction, but at least this book did scratch the h/c need without wanting to throw up too much. The relationship between Aaron and Spencer developed much too fast, but everything else was refreshingly realistic, if a little too best case scenario.