joliendelandsheer's review against another edition
3.0
Review first published on my blog The Fictional Reader
First of all, can I say I want that dress or skirt the person on the cover is wearing? That’s so beautiful… I requested this book when I was in a contemporary YA mood, and it seemed like an interesting read. And it definitely was very interesting. I just didn’t love it as much as I wanted to.
So this is the story of Macy and Sebastian, who both are battling certain memories or aspects from their pasts. Sebastian is a drug addict, and Macy… well, I don’t want to tell you yet. The point is that they meet at a party. They talk, but get interrupted and leave. The next day, Sebastian gets checked into a hospital by his mother and Macy starts to visit him.
I’ll start with what I liked. I liked that this book talked about addiction, depression, abuse, therapy and hospitals for teenagers. It’s important to discuss these things. I’m glad they showed therapy in a positive light, how it helped Sebastian. That’s something that should be mentioned in a positive light more -therapy still seems to be a sensitive topic to many. So I loved that part.
I also think the family dynamics in this book are complex and interesting especially in Macy’s case. She has a father who’s away more than he’s home, a mother she feels is too superficial, a younger brother she adores and a cousin who lived with them for years when his parents passed away. I loved how this book showed different aspects of a family’s relationships. Macy had a great relationship with her younger brother, and I think she was an incredible sister to him. She loved her father, even though he wasn’t there often. And her relationship with her mother… well, it was strained. I thought it was incredibly interesting to see why these relationships were the way they were, what events and emotions led to them.
I also think Sebastian’s past was interesting, though very tragic. However, while I’m writing this review I feel like his life was far less developed than Macy’s was. But I think he was an interesting guy. I liked how he “pushed” Macy to talk to someone, at the very least. To confront her feelings. To understand that it’s not okay, and to say so to someone.
Like I said, I enjoyed the issues this story addressed. I think they’re important. But if I separate that from the actual story, I can’t say I love both aspects as much. The story itself wasn’t very captivating to me. I saw most of it coming, aside from one twist at the end. It was all quite predictable, and included some tropes I’m really not a fan of. For example, the trope in which you meet someone who understands you immediately after one sentence, like no one else has. I understand you can feel an understanding and connection after talking to someone, but in this overblown way? Also, I hate cheating. There is no excuse whatsoever for it. Never.
Overall, I think the issues addressed were important but I didn’t love the actual story as much. It was a story I enjoyed, and so I gave it a 3-star rating. It was nice, but it didn’t blow me away.
First of all, can I say I want that dress or skirt the person on the cover is wearing? That’s so beautiful… I requested this book when I was in a contemporary YA mood, and it seemed like an interesting read. And it definitely was very interesting. I just didn’t love it as much as I wanted to.
So this is the story of Macy and Sebastian, who both are battling certain memories or aspects from their pasts. Sebastian is a drug addict, and Macy… well, I don’t want to tell you yet. The point is that they meet at a party. They talk, but get interrupted and leave. The next day, Sebastian gets checked into a hospital by his mother and Macy starts to visit him.
I’ll start with what I liked. I liked that this book talked about addiction, depression, abuse, therapy and hospitals for teenagers. It’s important to discuss these things. I’m glad they showed therapy in a positive light, how it helped Sebastian. That’s something that should be mentioned in a positive light more -therapy still seems to be a sensitive topic to many. So I loved that part.
I also think the family dynamics in this book are complex and interesting especially in Macy’s case. She has a father who’s away more than he’s home, a mother she feels is too superficial, a younger brother she adores and a cousin who lived with them for years when his parents passed away. I loved how this book showed different aspects of a family’s relationships. Macy had a great relationship with her younger brother, and I think she was an incredible sister to him. She loved her father, even though he wasn’t there often. And her relationship with her mother… well, it was strained. I thought it was incredibly interesting to see why these relationships were the way they were, what events and emotions led to them.
I also think Sebastian’s past was interesting, though very tragic. However, while I’m writing this review I feel like his life was far less developed than Macy’s was. But I think he was an interesting guy. I liked how he “pushed” Macy to talk to someone, at the very least. To confront her feelings. To understand that it’s not okay, and to say so to someone.
Like I said, I enjoyed the issues this story addressed. I think they’re important. But if I separate that from the actual story, I can’t say I love both aspects as much. The story itself wasn’t very captivating to me. I saw most of it coming, aside from one twist at the end. It was all quite predictable, and included some tropes I’m really not a fan of. For example, the trope in which you meet someone who understands you immediately after one sentence, like no one else has. I understand you can feel an understanding and connection after talking to someone, but in this overblown way? Also, I hate cheating. There is no excuse whatsoever for it. Never.
Overall, I think the issues addressed were important but I didn’t love the actual story as much. It was a story I enjoyed, and so I gave it a 3-star rating. It was nice, but it didn’t blow me away.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Fix by Natasha Sinel is an emotional story of healing for main protagonist Macy Lyons. After a serious discussion one night with one of her classmates, Sebastian Ruiz, Macy can no longer hold her memories from a series of traumatic childhood events at bay. When she discovers Sebastian has been hospitalized for a drug problem, they strike up an unlikely friendship that is just the beginning of a series of changes for Macy.
On the surface, Macy seems to have it all. She is from a well to do family, she has a marvelous boyfriend and although her relationship with her mom is tense, she is close to her dad and younger brother. However, after her conversation with Sebastian, cracks begin to appear in her facade. Her life is thrown into further turmoil when their annual family vacation has been postponed and she begins working as a counselor with preschool age children. Macy's anxiety increases after learning her cousin Scott is returning for a visit and vague but somewhat disturbing flashbacks begin to hint at a dark secret from her not too distant childhood.
Macy is a strong young woman who appears to have it all together. She is planning for life after high school and working towards her goal of going to college on the west coast. She and her boyfriend, Chris, are childhood friends and she loves spending time with him and his family. Although her best friend, Rebecca, sometimes drives her crazy, she would do anything for her. But soon Macy is spending more time with Sebastian than Chris or Rebecca and her unexpected feelings for him become an added complication to her life.
While Macy and Sebastian initially concentrate on his recovery, he eventually turns the focus of their conversations to her. A delicate dance ensues as she deflects his questions, ignores his observations and redirects the discussion back to his problems. But when she is away from Sebastian, Macy's memories haunt her and she is very confused about her feelings regarding what happened to her when she was younger. As more information is revealed about her past, it becomes clear that Macy has been using unhealthy and risky behavior to cope with her unresolved feelings.
The Fix is a perfect blend of heartbreak and hope as Macy comes to terms with the trauma from her past. Natasha Sinel deftly handles very difficult subject matter with a great deal of sensitivity. Macy's flashbacks are never overly graphic but as the story progresses, her vague memories become more concrete and there is little doubt about what happened to her. I highly recommend this well-written, captivating young adult novel to teen and adult readers.
The Fix by Natasha Sinel is an emotional story of healing for main protagonist Macy Lyons. After a serious discussion one night with one of her classmates, Sebastian Ruiz, Macy can no longer hold her memories from a series of traumatic childhood events at bay. When she discovers Sebastian has been hospitalized for a drug problem, they strike up an unlikely friendship that is just the beginning of a series of changes for Macy.
On the surface, Macy seems to have it all. She is from a well to do family, she has a marvelous boyfriend and although her relationship with her mom is tense, she is close to her dad and younger brother. However, after her conversation with Sebastian, cracks begin to appear in her facade. Her life is thrown into further turmoil when their annual family vacation has been postponed and she begins working as a counselor with preschool age children. Macy's anxiety increases after learning her cousin Scott is returning for a visit and vague but somewhat disturbing flashbacks begin to hint at a dark secret from her not too distant childhood.
Macy is a strong young woman who appears to have it all together. She is planning for life after high school and working towards her goal of going to college on the west coast. She and her boyfriend, Chris, are childhood friends and she loves spending time with him and his family. Although her best friend, Rebecca, sometimes drives her crazy, she would do anything for her. But soon Macy is spending more time with Sebastian than Chris or Rebecca and her unexpected feelings for him become an added complication to her life.
While Macy and Sebastian initially concentrate on his recovery, he eventually turns the focus of their conversations to her. A delicate dance ensues as she deflects his questions, ignores his observations and redirects the discussion back to his problems. But when she is away from Sebastian, Macy's memories haunt her and she is very confused about her feelings regarding what happened to her when she was younger. As more information is revealed about her past, it becomes clear that Macy has been using unhealthy and risky behavior to cope with her unresolved feelings.
The Fix is a perfect blend of heartbreak and hope as Macy comes to terms with the trauma from her past. Natasha Sinel deftly handles very difficult subject matter with a great deal of sensitivity. Macy's flashbacks are never overly graphic but as the story progresses, her vague memories become more concrete and there is little doubt about what happened to her. I highly recommend this well-written, captivating young adult novel to teen and adult readers.
leyza052's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
biz1214's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
Accurate portrayal of some of the feelings that happen with CSA and addiction. There were some things that felt insensitive mostly with mental illness. I hate books that make what happened or who did the assault or abuse a mystery plot line and I thought that’s what was happening here but it wasn’t. I think the delay of the full story fits with the plot of going from repression to openness. Overall pretty cute and good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
thegabecole's review against another edition
This was a tough read, as any book with similar heavy content is. Macy's story is heartbreaking and raw, and I really felt for her as her secrets became clearer. This isn't a book you'll easily forget.
ermanem's review against another edition
3.0
At the beginning of this book Macy Lyons is reintroduced to a childhood friend named Sebastian and it throws her whole world for a loop. She's been dealing with a secret alone that no one should have to deal with and even with everything in her life seeming to go right she finally breaks.
This book was a bit slow for my taste and a bit simple. However, the story was good and there was definitely some character development up until the end. I don't know if I'd read it again, but I think it was definitely worth reading at least once.
This book was a bit slow for my taste and a bit simple. However, the story was good and there was definitely some character development up until the end. I don't know if I'd read it again, but I think it was definitely worth reading at least once.
tiggermad17's review against another edition
5.0
Plain writing style and sometimes cliche, but dealt with childhood sexual assault with an assertive and complex realness. A book survivors can find themselves in.
a_hutchinson19's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
This ended up being a very good book but it took too long to get good
joceyywoceyy's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
estibbitts's review against another edition
3.0
At the beginning of this book Macy Lyons is reintroduced to a childhood friend named Sebastian and it throws her whole world for a loop. She's been dealing with a secret alone that no one should have to deal with and even with everything in her life seeming to go right she finally breaks.
This book was a bit slow for my taste and a bit simple. However, the story was good and there was definitely some character development up until the end. I don't know if I'd read it again, but I think it was definitely worth reading at least once.
This book was a bit slow for my taste and a bit simple. However, the story was good and there was definitely some character development up until the end. I don't know if I'd read it again, but I think it was definitely worth reading at least once.