Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication date: 2nd April 2013
My rating: 3.5 stars.
Lucy just had the worst week ever. Seriously, mega bad. And suddenly, it's all too much—she wants out. Out of her house, out of her head, out of her life. She wants to be a whole new Lucy. So she does something the old Lucy would never dream of. And now her life will never be the same. Now, how will she be able to have a boyfriend? What will she tell her friends? How will she face her family? Now her life is completely different...every moment is a gift. Because now she might not have many moments left.
My Life After Now first captured my attention because of the mystery which was blurbed surrounding our main character Lucy, she seemed to have a happy life, but something happened to cause everything to tumble down around her. I had a few ideas in my mind of what this could be, but was surprised to find out what the big mystery turned out to be.
I have to praise Jessica Verdi for tackling this taboo topic in her story in the first place. I don’t think I’ve come across a novel which places this issue in the forefront of their story. It was truly an eye opening experience getting into our protagonist's head when she had to go through such a rough ordeal. And despite having a strong support network through her parent’s, best friends Max and Courtney and boyfriend, it just goes to show you how this issue can quickly cut off the support around you. Some chose not to support Lucy because they were scared for themselves, whereas Lucy also lost some friends because she wasn’t knowledgeable on the subject and so shut everyone down. I know that if I was in Lucy’s shoes I would feel like my life had become pointless, so cutting everyone off would have probably have been my first response too. And as Lucy felt ashamed to confide with anyone about her issue, (the rights and wrongs had been drilled into her for so long), and she had slipped up, it’s no wonder she immediately jumped to the worst case scenario. It was a tough time for Lucy at first, and Verdi portrayed well just how isolated an individual could feel.
On top of that Lucy had to deal with the unexpected arrival of her pregnant mother, her ex-boyfriend being in love with the evil Elyse St. James and the school play where the most important scene, her co-star wouldn’t even come close to her. I admired Lucy’s character, as things at times did get extremely bad for her, but she tried to hold her head up high and battle on. It’s at times like these you truly discover just who your true friends are and I’m glad Lucy was able to realise which ones she could hold onto forever and which she should have dropped a long time ago.
My Life After Now was a beautiful read, but also a truly insightful one. Authors take note; novels such as My Life After Now not only leave lasting impressions, but are also able to build knowledge and insight into issues many individuals try to bury their head in the sand about.
20 comments:
I am really glad to hear you liked this book! I like insightful stories that that leave a lasting impression.
Great review! Thanks for sharing your thoughts (:
Sapir @ Diary of a Wimpy Teen Girl
I haven't seen this book before but after reading the blurb I, like you, am really curious about this mystery. But the thing is your review is not helping me! I mean I just want to read the book even more now. Ahh Jasprit what are you doing to me. Anyhow I'll probably have to read this book when I get some time. Great review :)
The synopsis is intriguing! It sounds like the kind of book I will enjoy. I'm glad that it will mark a lasting impression on readers. Great review :)
Love your review! I'm so happy it was not only intriguing but insightful. Lucy sounds like an amazing character. Strong and determined. I'll be picking this one up ASAP.
Sunny @ Blue Sky Bookshelf
I have this one, but I have a little on the fence about reading. It sounds like it will be so emotional. Great review.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
This sounds beautiful and well done, the cover got me and I like the blurb too. I think I will give it a go
I really need to get a copy of this book soon. It was one of my WoWs last year and I'm so glad to hear that it's well written. Contemporaries have really been impressing me lately and this sounds like another one that I would enjoy. I love it when a book not only provides you with an emotional story but it also gives you knowledge.
Fabulous review, Jasprit!
Oh yes, I remember reading the blurb for this one and it gave me chills Jasprit! I know what the issue is, and I agree, major Kudos to Jessica for tackling a topic not often discussed in YA. I'm already rooting for Lucy, and I'm glad she's able to find some real friends willing to stand by her regardless of anything else. Beautiful review!
Great review :D Glad you mostly enjoyed this book. <3 Never heard of it before, but the cover is pretty :) Not sure if it would be for me, but it does sound pretty interesting :) Thank you for sharing. <3
It was a real eye opening book for me as well I really enjoyed it. I thought it was handled extremely well and really made you understand how someone feels when they've got that disease. Happy you enjoyed it too, doll!
Great review, looking forward to reading it more now after reading your review :D
This sounds so mysterious! Going to have to read it now!
I don't think I could read this. Mostly because I am an escapist, and diving into such heavy real-life subject areas usually takes a lot of convincing for me. If I was in Lucy's shoes I know that I'd definitely cut everyone off. That response sounds pretty reasonable to me. Really great review, Jasprit!
Oh Jasprit, I'm in awe! Amazing review!!!!!!!! I love how you went around saying what the issue is specifically, I'm am very intrigued to read this book to see what unique issue it tackles!
Love your line "bury their head in sand about"!! fantastic analogy!
I love the sound of this book, and I've heard that this book surrounds the topic of HIV? Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm totally curious to read about it. Lucy sounds like a really relate-able character, with actions that are understandable. This seems like a great, thought-provoking contemporary, I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jasprit! Brilliant review as always!
I love when books can leave a lasting impression. I may need to check this one out. Great review! :)
HI JASPRIT!!! I'M BACK!!! I've really missed you guys and your lovely blog so much. <3 :') Awesome review! I LOVELOVELOVE contemporary novels with a dark tinge to them, and My Life After Now seems exactly like that. It's so great that this book left a lasting impression on you; I'll be on the lookout for it for sure!! <3 x
I love your last line - "able to build knowledge and insight into issues many individuals try to bury their head in the sand about." From other reviews I know exactly what the issue is that Lucy is facing, and I do agree that ignorance and plain ignoring is how most people respond to such an issue. And I can't quite blame them. As you pointed out in your review, you're not sure you'd be able to react any better than Lucy does, and I'm not sure many people could. It's a tough issue, but it is great that a YA book is bringing a little attention to it. Wonderful review, Jasprit, and I can't wait to read this myself!
Oh, wow, so now I'm super curious about this taboo topic the author tackles and I SO want to know both what happened to Lucy and what she did afterwards. It's a sign of good writing when we see characters make mistakes but can't help thinking we'd make them too in that situation
Wonderful review, Jasprit!
Thanks for sharing that you found this story insightful - I didn't know Lucy had so many other issues that she had to deal with. I think this would be a very-interesting-read for me.
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