Teenagers

I had a hard time with this book and felt that much of it, especially the ending was just too unrealistic to me. The first third was pretty interesting and I did enjoy watching some of the character development, but as the book progressed it just seemed to become more and more unrealistic. ( )

These daughters were suppose to be so smart and loved yet their thoughts and actions did not match. Envying their mothers friendship knitting group so much that that was the most important thing to get in their life? Interesting idea of wanting good father genes but not a father. Good discussions on how much is the fault of a parent when kids make bad choices. Small town thinking affecting so many peoples actions. ( )

Complex and heartbreaking story.
Certainly not the story any mother wants to hear or tell. ( )

I just saw this book on the First Reads giveaway page and remembered what an awesome book it was. I read it about a year ago and I can still remember the story as if I had just finished the book this morning. I normally don't read anything like but I would definitely read more by this author. I have never been in the situation that either the mother or daughter in the book go through but through the author's words I could totally relate to what they were feeling. I wanted to be a good friend to the daughter that lost her friends when their plans didn't work out the way they expected. I wanted to be there for the mother and stand up for her when others wanted to distance themselves from her out of fear that they too would be accused of being bad parents just for associating themselves with the family. I also wanted to wring the girl's neck that started the whole ordeal out of what I felt was jealousy. The storyline was very strong. The reader is brought into the characters' lives in such a way that we know what is going on but we don't have to read every tiny detail about their day. I felt as though I was a part of their lives and that I could feel their emotions. I would love to read more by this author if all of her books are as well thought out and well written. ( )