carsonadams6's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
raequigley's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted on Drunk On Pop
PLEASE NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions held within this review are my own thoughts and feelings and do not reflect upon anyone else.
Trigger Warning: Book includes child/domestic abuse and drug use
This was way different than the books I usually choose to read. I’m not typically interested in books set in earlier decades, but I was really intrigued by the description. I set myself up to be disappointed – it’s not rare for the descriptions of books to be exaggerated to seem better than it really is. I was pleasantly surprised to find this book to be as good as it seemed, if not better.
This is a young adult book that involves a teenage girl that is not obsessed with boys and dating. A story that revolves around the characters surviving through awful events and coming out on the other side. These things don’t occur in YA books as much as they should. Even the brilliant dystopian novels that have come out throughout the past few years rely too much on romance. This was a breath of fresh air, and I’m so glad I read it.
The book was inspiring and emotional. I cared deeply for all of the characters, and felt actual disgust and fear in regards to their abusive father/husband Adam Ebersole. There were a few things that I wished went a bit deeper (like the police keeping an eye on Judy’s friends after finding the stolen car near their shop and the stolen silverware made into bracelets) but for the most part I was impressed with how well the story flowed. Time passed appropriately, I felt, and the conflicts were seen through fully. When I had to put the book down to go to work or do other things I was itching to get back to it. It was that good.
PLEASE NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions held within this review are my own thoughts and feelings and do not reflect upon anyone else.
This was way different than the books I usually choose to read. I’m not typically interested in books set in earlier decades, but I was really intrigued by the description. I set myself up to be disappointed – it’s not rare for the descriptions of books to be exaggerated to seem better than it really is. I was pleasantly surprised to find this book to be as good as it seemed, if not better.
This is a young adult book that involves a teenage girl that is not obsessed with boys and dating. A story that revolves around the characters surviving through awful events and coming out on the other side. These things don’t occur in YA books as much as they should. Even the brilliant dystopian novels that have come out throughout the past few years rely too much on romance. This was a breath of fresh air, and I’m so glad I read it.
The book was inspiring and emotional. I cared deeply for all of the characters, and felt actual disgust and fear in regards to their abusive father/husband Adam Ebersole. There were a few things that I wished went a bit deeper (like the police keeping an eye on Judy’s friends after finding the stolen car near their shop and the stolen silverware made into bracelets) but for the most part I was impressed with how well the story flowed. Time passed appropriately, I felt, and the conflicts were seen through fully. When I had to put the book down to go to work or do other things I was itching to get back to it. It was that good.
rathernovel's review against another edition
3.0
GUYS.
I HAVE FOUND IT.
*drumroll*
A BOOK WITH A 14-YEAR-OLD NARRATOR THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE MATURITY OF A 2-YEAR-OLD.
*dies of shock*
WHAT IS THIS MADNESS??!!!
I HAVE FOUND IT.
*drumroll*
A BOOK WITH A 14-YEAR-OLD NARRATOR THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE MATURITY OF A 2-YEAR-OLD.
*dies of shock*
WHAT IS THIS MADNESS??!!!
refinnejmarie's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of this book throught NetGalley
3 STARS ***
I don't want to say it was a light read, because the story itself is not a light read, but it is the type of book that you can read pretty fast and not become emotionally invested. That is not to say the book isn't emotional or moving, but for me, I didn't quite connect to it as the author might have intended.
This book is told in the POV of the first character, Shoshanna, and it follows her and her younger sister, Mara and their mother Ella as they move away from their abusive father and Shoshanna's mother starts sucumbing to her depression and doing things that are not safe for the girls.
Like I said before, it was hard for me to connect with the characters emotionally, BUT the book itself is good. It has many moving moments, and the book focuses a lot of friendship and family bonds.
I definitely recommend reading the book if you are looking for something and arent sure what to read or just go ahead and read it and give it a chance.
3 STARS ***
I don't want to say it was a light read, because the story itself is not a light read, but it is the type of book that you can read pretty fast and not become emotionally invested. That is not to say the book isn't emotional or moving, but for me, I didn't quite connect to it as the author might have intended.
This book is told in the POV of the first character, Shoshanna, and it follows her and her younger sister, Mara and their mother Ella as they move away from their abusive father and Shoshanna's mother starts sucumbing to her depression and doing things that are not safe for the girls.
Like I said before, it was hard for me to connect with the characters emotionally, BUT the book itself is good. It has many moving moments, and the book focuses a lot of friendship and family bonds.
I definitely recommend reading the book if you are looking for something and arent sure what to read or just go ahead and read it and give it a chance.
meganmagicmusings's review against another edition
2.0
*I was fortunate to receive an eARC of this book from NetGalley and Albert Whitman & Company, thank you*
I can't help but feel a bit disappointed with this novel, however much effort I put into trying to love it. I was gripped, at first, by the story of escape from abuse and the idea of the three main characters finding a new life together. I was happy when the character of Judy was introduced, but that was probably the last happy moment for me in the reading of this novel. There was so much promise for this novel with its choice of story and subject matter, but I feel most of the most interesting points were skimmed over in order for the story to keep moving forward. Very little detail was given about the commune they escaped from, as well as their father, who we are told is bad but never really witness 'in person' doing anything. We are just told. I wish I felt more emotionally connected to this story but by the end I just felt a bit bored.
I can't help but feel a bit disappointed with this novel, however much effort I put into trying to love it. I was gripped, at first, by the story of escape from abuse and the idea of the three main characters finding a new life together. I was happy when the character of Judy was introduced, but that was probably the last happy moment for me in the reading of this novel. There was so much promise for this novel with its choice of story and subject matter, but I feel most of the most interesting points were skimmed over in order for the story to keep moving forward. Very little detail was given about the commune they escaped from, as well as their father, who we are told is bad but never really witness 'in person' doing anything. We are just told. I wish I felt more emotionally connected to this story but by the end I just felt a bit bored.
allisondawn's review
1.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
While Disappear Home was a quick read, it was not because it was riveting and captivating. Unfortunately, this book was quite stale and disappointing. I liked the idea behind it well enough but the execution was just not there. Nothing really happened. Everything was just skimming the surface and the conclusion was far too rushed and tied nicely with a bow.
I was not at all invested in the characters. Besides the basic information that we were given - an abusive father and husband, a hippie commune gone wrong - I did not really find myself satisfied with this motivation. We got microscopic snapshots into the family's past but nothing substantial and able to catch my attention. The characters were flat and unremarkable. The mother, Ella, deals with depression; however, we didn't ever get a huge look into this condition. Sure, she was tired a lot and grumpy and paranoid but, at the end of the day, we were more privy to her physical illness than that in her head - disappointing.
In writing and reading, I usually enjoy the idea of "show, don't tell." This book was a whole lot of telling. Like, a whole lot. The dialogue was, at times, incredibly longwinded and unnecessary. It told us things that would have been better delivered through action and well-crafted images. The dialogue also didn't seem natural - either the statements were dripping with hippie slang like "bread" (meaning money) and, of course, tacking "man" onto the end of every sentence, or they were so precise and stilted that I couldn't imagine any of these characters saying it. We, as readers, were told that this commune was bad. Told that Adam was abusive and dangerous. Told that this and that and the other thing. Show me! The setting was also poorly drawn. Besides the references to the hippie culture and some other quick details, there was nothing grounding this story in the 1970s. Overall, the writing style was simple and, in my opinion, lacking.
As I mentioned at the start of this review, I do think the plot is an interesting one. I was really looking forward to reading this book but, instead, I'm writing this review and wrapping up my experience with it feeling disappointed.
While Disappear Home was a quick read, it was not because it was riveting and captivating. Unfortunately, this book was quite stale and disappointing. I liked the idea behind it well enough but the execution was just not there. Nothing really happened. Everything was just skimming the surface and the conclusion was far too rushed and tied nicely with a bow.
I was not at all invested in the characters. Besides the basic information that we were given - an abusive father and husband, a hippie commune gone wrong - I did not really find myself satisfied with this motivation. We got microscopic snapshots into the family's past but nothing substantial and able to catch my attention. The characters were flat and unremarkable. The mother, Ella, deals with depression; however, we didn't ever get a huge look into this condition. Sure, she was tired a lot and grumpy and paranoid but, at the end of the day, we were more privy to her physical illness than that in her head - disappointing.
In writing and reading, I usually enjoy the idea of "show, don't tell." This book was a whole lot of telling. Like, a whole lot. The dialogue was, at times, incredibly longwinded and unnecessary. It told us things that would have been better delivered through action and well-crafted images. The dialogue also didn't seem natural - either the statements were dripping with hippie slang like "bread" (meaning money) and, of course, tacking "man" onto the end of every sentence, or they were so precise and stilted that I couldn't imagine any of these characters saying it. We, as readers, were told that this commune was bad. Told that Adam was abusive and dangerous. Told that this and that and the other thing. Show me! The setting was also poorly drawn. Besides the references to the hippie culture and some other quick details, there was nothing grounding this story in the 1970s. Overall, the writing style was simple and, in my opinion, lacking.
As I mentioned at the start of this review, I do think the plot is an interesting one. I was really looking forward to reading this book but, instead, I'm writing this review and wrapping up my experience with it feeling disappointed.
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