Review: All in Pieces by Suzanne Young

All in Pieces

Author: Suzanne Young

Release date: 8/11/2016

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 259

Synopsis (Goodreads)

“Anger-management issues.”

That’s how they classified Savannah Sutton after she stuck a pencil in her ex-boyfriend’s hand because he mocked her little brother, Evan, for being disabled. That’s why they sent her to Brooks Academy—an alternative high school that’s used as a temporary detention center.

The days at Brooks are miserable, but at home, life is far more bleak. Savvy’s struggling to take care of her brother since her mom left years ago, and her alcoholic dad can’t be bothered. Life with Evan is a constant challenge, but he’s also the most important person in the world to Savvy.

Then there’s Cameron, a new student at Brooks with issues of his own, a guy from a perfect family that Savvy thought only existed on TV. Cameron seems determined to break through every one of the walls Savvy’s built around herself—except if she lets herself trust him, it could make everything she’s worked so hard for fall apart in an instant.

And with her aunt seeking custody of her brother and her ex-boyfriend seeking revenge, Savvy’s fighting to hold all the pieces together. But she’s not sure how much tighter she can be pulled before she breaks completely. 

Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars

This book was all sorts of wonderful and drew me in from the very beginning.

Savannah ‘Savvy’ Sutton is the sort of character you just want to hug, she has an alcoholic father, a mother that left them years prior and she is taking care of her special needs brother. She was such a strong and sassy character that you can’t help but adore.

When Savvy sticks a pencil in her ex-boyfriends hand she is sent to Brooks Academy, a miserable place used as a detention centre. Her life is hard but she has a great little brother, some wonderful friends and has caught the attention of the new guy Cameron but it doesn’t make her home life and dealing with her father any easier especially when he is so willing and eager to hand over custody of her brother to her aunt.

Cameron was fabulous, I adored him and loved the way he broke down Savvy’s walls and introduced her to a really lovely family life, his life wasn’t without drama but his problems were very different to Savvy’s. I adored their interactions and the bond that they came to share.

Suzanne Young wrote about a lot of tough subjects in this book – alcoholism, illness, family breakdown and anger issues. It was believable and dealt with in a realistic way. Her writing is gripping.

All in Pieces does have a morose feel to it because of the heavy issues discussed but it was enjoyable none the less.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Simon Pulse for the review copy.

About the author: 

Suzanne Young is the New York Times bestselling author of The Program, The Treatment, and several other novels. She currently lives in Tempe, Arizona where she teaches high school English and obsesses about books. Learn more about Suzanne at www.suzanne-young.blogspot.com

Review: The Epidemic (The Program 0.6) by Suzanne Young

The Epidemic

Author: Suzanne Young

Pages: 384

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: The Program 0.6

Release date: 19 April 2016

Synopsis: Can one girl help others find closure by slipping into the identities of their loved ones? Find out in this riveting sequel to The Remedy and companion to New York Times bestselling The Treatment and The Program. 

In a world before The Program…

Quinlan McKee has spent her life acting as other people. She was a closer—a person hired to play the role of the recently deceased in order to give their families closure. Through this process, Quinn learned to read people and situations, even losing a bit of herself to do so. But she couldn’t have guessed how her last case would bring down her entire world.

The only person Quinn trusts is Deacon, her best friend and the love of her life. Except Deacon’s been keeping secrets of his one, so Quinn must set out alone to find Arthur Pritchard, the doctor who’s been trying to control her life. The journey brings Quinn to Arthur’s daughter, Virginia, who tells Quinn the truth about Pritchard’s motives. The former closer will start to see that she is the first step in fighting an epidemic.

But Quinlan doesn’t want to be a cure. And with all the lies surrounding her, she realizes she has no one left to rely on but herself—even if she doesn’t know who that is anymore.

Review: 4 out of 5 stars

Contains possible spoilers from The Remedy.

The Epidemic is the sequel to The Remedy and companion to The Treatment and The Program.

The Epidemic begins where The Remedy left off. Quinlan McKee has spent her life as a Closer – a stand-in as other people, she takes on the short-term role of a deceased loved one to give them their final closure. The premise is always one that has intrigued me and in The Remedy Quinn finds out something that completely shocked her, her life has been a lie – her journey throughout this book showed of her pain but also her immense strength.

Deacon is the only person Quinn can trust – or can she, he’s been keeping secrets of his own, so she must set out alone to find Arthur Pritchard, a doctor who’s been attempting to control her life and the man who erased her memories. Quinn ends up meeting Arthur’s daughter, Virginia, who is definitely nothing like her father and is just as much a pawn in his plan as what Quinlan has been, she learns that she may be the first step in fighting an epidemic.

The plot is engrossing and flows at a steady pace, we are taken on an exciting journey as Quinn and Deacon as well as other closers try to find out the mystery behind some surprising teenage deaths and how it is all linked to Quinlan and Pritchard.

I have adored Quinn and Deacon together but I really questioned his loyalty and motives in this book, he wasn’t as forthcoming as what he should have been and it drove me crazy! Despite this, I still think he is a great love interest and support to her.

The Epidemic is a book about self-discovery, I have enjoyed every moment and each of the side characters who all play a pivotal role in the overall story. Arthur Pritchard is a character I despise, he is truly the perfect villain.

Overall, The Epidemic is a creative YA novel that explored difficult themes of emotions and identity. The characters are each wonderful, the romance is enjoyable although I was questioning it at one stage and the intricate plot keeps me entertained – I highly recommend this series.

Thank you to Simon Pulse via Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review The Epidemic by Suzanne Young.

About the author: 

Suzanne Young is the New York Times bestselling author of The Program, The Treatment, and several other novels. She currently lives in Tempe, Arizona where she teaches high school English and obsesses about books. Learn more about Suzanne at www.suzanne-young.blogspot.com

Waiting on Wednesday - Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young

 

Hi everyone!! thank-you so much for stopping by today.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My WoW for this week is Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young.

Author: Suzanne Young

Series: -

Pages: 288

Release date: 3^rd November 2015

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Synopsis (Goodreads)

Stay Tonight. Stay Forever.

When Audrey Casella arrives for an unplanned stay at the grand Hotel Ruby, she’s grateful for the detour. Just months after their mother’s death, Audrey and her brother, Daniel, are on their way to live with their grandmother, dumped on the doorstep of a DNA-matched stranger because their father is drowning in his grief.

Audrey and her family only plan to stay the night, but life in the Ruby can be intoxicating, extending their stay as it provides endless distractions—including handsome guest Elias Lange, who sends Audrey’s pulse racing. However, the hotel proves to be as strange as it is beautiful. Nightly fancy affairs in the ballroom are invitation only, and Audrey seems to be the one guest who doesn't have an invite. Instead, she joins the hotel staff on the rooftop, catching whispers about the hotel’s dark past.

The more Audrey learns about the new people she's met, the more her curiosity grows. She’s torn in different directions—the pull of her past with its overwhelming loss, the promise of a future that holds little joy, and an in-between life in a place that is so much more than it seems…

Welcome to the Ruby. 

I’m celebrating my 4 Year Blogoversary with a giveaway - Here