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A review by istraka1701
Saving 6 by Chloe Walsh
5.0
Rip my freaking heart out why don't you? Holy shit. We knew poor Joey had it bad from the first two books, but it was worse than I expected. The fact that I'm legit choking up while writing this says miles about Walsh's ability to create real characters with real stories and real emotions. Joey isn't perfect, but he's an amazing man. His ability to become mother and father to his siblings is insanely admirable, and I think anyone can understand him trying to find an escape. He was right in the first books - I may hate his mother more than his father too. She's disgusting and fucked with his head so bad she broke him. Aoife is just what Joey needs. Some people don't like her in the reviews, but I can't see anyone else getting through to him. She's quick witted, insanely loyal, stubborn, willing to put herself on the line, and won't take no for an answer. Some had issues with her ex, and while I do think it was dragged on too long, her backstory makes me understand why.
Now for Darren .... I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt in the first books. I could never imagine what he went through in that house, so I can't fault him for leaving when he could. However, he left Joey - a twelve year old - to pick up the pieces. Joey was never a child and it breaks my heart. I can't help but hate him a little bit for that. But on the other hand, it's an extremely complex situation where I can't put myself in their shoes - and I think that's what Walsh was going for. We can't know what we'd do, everyone reacts differently, and these poor kids did what they needed to in order to survive.
Now for the plot line. I loved seeing Aoife and Joey throughout the years. It made their relationship just ... more. But I found myself not quite as invested as the first two because I knew what would happen at points (especially some big things). And the fact that this book didn't end before Shannon switched schools is insane to me. Joey kept so much from his siblings based on Shannon's POV. I really wanna see some things specifically in the next book (spoiler: Darren and Joey talking, diving in deep to rehab, and Johnny's mom and Joey interacting).
This book isn't for the faint hearted, and it hit me more than the first two did. While this might be about teenagers, the topics covered are extremely heavy. There's abuse, suicidal ideation, and addiction. Read with caution <3
Links :)
Blog: thesundayreads.com
Insta: @thesundayreads
Now for Darren .... I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt in the first books. I could never imagine what he went through in that house, so I can't fault him for leaving when he could. However, he left Joey - a twelve year old - to pick up the pieces. Joey was never a child and it breaks my heart. I can't help but hate him a little bit for that. But on the other hand, it's an extremely complex situation where I can't put myself in their shoes - and I think that's what Walsh was going for. We can't know what we'd do, everyone reacts differently, and these poor kids did what they needed to in order to survive.
Now for the plot line. I loved seeing Aoife and Joey throughout the years. It made their relationship just ... more. But I found myself not quite as invested as the first two because I knew what would happen at points (especially some big things). And the fact that this book didn't end before Shannon switched schools is insane to me. Joey kept so much from his siblings based on Shannon's POV. I really wanna see some things specifically in the next book (spoiler: Darren and Joey talking, diving in deep to rehab, and Johnny's mom and Joey interacting).
This book isn't for the faint hearted, and it hit me more than the first two did. While this might be about teenagers, the topics covered are extremely heavy. There's abuse, suicidal ideation, and addiction. Read with caution <3
Links :)
Blog: thesundayreads.com
Insta: @thesundayreads