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In Too Deep
Carter didn't rape me. People at school think he did. Suddenly, new friends are rushing to my side, telling me that Carter hurt them, too. They say he's getting what he deserves.
Maybe I don't want to fix this.
Sam is in love with her best friend Nick, but she can't seem to tell him. So she decides to flirt with golden-boy Carter Wellesley, hoping Nick will see it and finally realize his true feelings for her.
On Monday, everyone at school is saying that Carter raped Sam. He didn't, but Sam can't find the words to tell the truth. Worst of all, she's afraid she'll lose Nick if he finds out what really happened.
As graduation approaches, Sam discovers that living the lie isn't as easy as her new friends make it sound--and telling the truth might be even worse.
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Maybe I don't want to fix this.
Sam is in love with her best friend Nick, but she can't seem to tell him. So she decides to flirt with golden-boy Carter Wellesley, hoping Nick will see it and finally realize his true feelings for her.
On Monday, everyone at school is saying that Carter raped Sam. He didn't, but Sam can't find the words to tell the truth. Worst of all, she's afraid she'll lose Nick if he finds out what really happened.
As graduation approaches, Sam discovers that living the lie isn't as easy as her new friends make it sound--and telling the truth might be even worse.
A Junior Library Guild Selection
228 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
42 people are currently reading
4581 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Grace
58 books243 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Amanda Grace is a pseudonym for young adult author Mandy Hubbard (PRADA AND PREJUDICE, YOU WISH). She lives near Seattle, Washington, with her husband and young daughter.
Amanda Grace is a pseudonym for young adult author Mandy Hubbard (PRADA AND PREJUDICE, YOU WISH). She lives near Seattle, Washington, with her husband and young daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
December 29, 2014
Two wrongs don't make a right.
After reading this book I felt a little bad because I didn't like it as much as I did But I love him.
I was extremely disappointed.
Let me just make it clear, I wasn't disappointed because the writing was bad or that the characters were not well developed. It was. I love Amanda Grace and this was why I decided to read this. I was so sure I was going to fall in love with it like But I love Him but I was wrong. I didn't like it as much as I thought I would.
The story starts with Sam deciding to make her best friend Nick jealous by her attempt to flirt with Carter who was like the Golden Boy of their school. Yes, she was in love with her best friend and was too scared to tell him directly. Hence, she made that plan and was expecting it to go smoothly, only it didn't. She made a fool out of herself in front of Carter and she hurt herself as well in the process (not Carter's fault at all) which caused one person to think she was sexually abused.
Funny thing was, Nick already has feelings for Sam as well. Sam was extremely happy and just pretended that what happened with Carter just never happened. Unfortunately, some things can't just be left alone. The rumors that she didn't make spread across the school and Sam didn't do anything to stop it.
Okay. So let's get on with the review.
I am totally enraged with Sam. I actually didn't feel bad about what happened to her at all except maybe towards the end. Majority of the time, I wanted to give her an award for being the most coward and stupidest person I've ever read about.
I am seriously upset about everything that has happened in this book. No its not about the author. I was upset about how true something like this could happen and someone stupid (like Sam) would make the same mistake. This could have been avoided really. She not only wrecked her own life, but she wrecked someone else's life as well.
Carter maybe an a**hole. He may be the douchiest douchebag there is in the entire universe but he didn't deserve to be tagged a rapist when he never really did anything. I can think of a couple of other things to call him but a rapist is definitely not one of them.
Nick. I will say I'm disappointed with him. I don't think he loved Sam as much as he said he did. Aside from Sam, he will have to be my next disappointment. Tsk tsk.
I wanna talk about Sam again. I wanna talk about how much all the decision she seems to make is wrong. Okay that seems to be an over exaggeration but seriously, she thinks like a 5 year old. I agree with her father when she said that she wasn't ready to live life outside home. She really wasn't. She was immature. She was selfish. She was easily swayed by other's opinion (ehem. stupid popular backstabbing people. ehem).
As much as I hated the main character Sam, I don't hate the book all in all. I just didn't really like the things that happened but I think if this happened to anyone, it will have the same outcome. It was realistic.
MAJOR SPOILER HERE
I guess the good part of a very depressing book like this is the ending. That is where everything falls into place. Where every wrong is made right. In the end, the lesson you learn is really what's important. The things you've done, they are all in the past but the lesson that you learn after making that mistake is what people should be mindful about. They should learn and not do it again. And I think in Sam, learned her lesson.
It's happening, though. A little at a time, I'm finding myself
I'd like to give it more stars but I really couldn't. I just couldn't connect that much with Sam during the whole book except towards the end. I would have to change the two stars to three. As I was writing this review, I realized that it really wasn't all bad. It was good. The lesson was good. The intention of the author to share what would happen is good.
After reading this book I felt a little bad because I didn't like it as much as I did But I love him.
I was extremely disappointed.
Let me just make it clear, I wasn't disappointed because the writing was bad or that the characters were not well developed. It was. I love Amanda Grace and this was why I decided to read this. I was so sure I was going to fall in love with it like But I love Him but I was wrong. I didn't like it as much as I thought I would.
The story starts with Sam deciding to make her best friend Nick jealous by her attempt to flirt with Carter who was like the Golden Boy of their school. Yes, she was in love with her best friend and was too scared to tell him directly. Hence, she made that plan and was expecting it to go smoothly, only it didn't. She made a fool out of herself in front of Carter and she hurt herself as well in the process (not Carter's fault at all) which caused one person to think she was sexually abused.
Funny thing was, Nick already has feelings for Sam as well. Sam was extremely happy and just pretended that what happened with Carter just never happened. Unfortunately, some things can't just be left alone. The rumors that she didn't make spread across the school and Sam didn't do anything to stop it.
Okay. So let's get on with the review.
I am totally enraged with Sam. I actually didn't feel bad about what happened to her at all except maybe towards the end. Majority of the time, I wanted to give her an award for being the most coward and stupidest person I've ever read about.
I am seriously upset about everything that has happened in this book. No its not about the author. I was upset about how true something like this could happen and someone stupid (like Sam) would make the same mistake. This could have been avoided really. She not only wrecked her own life, but she wrecked someone else's life as well.
Carter maybe an a**hole. He may be the douchiest douchebag there is in the entire universe but he didn't deserve to be tagged a rapist when he never really did anything. I can think of a couple of other things to call him but a rapist is definitely not one of them.
Nick. I will say I'm disappointed with him. I don't think he loved Sam as much as he said he did. Aside from Sam, he will have to be my next disappointment. Tsk tsk.
I wanna talk about Sam again. I wanna talk about how much all the decision she seems to make is wrong. Okay that seems to be an over exaggeration but seriously, she thinks like a 5 year old. I agree with her father when she said that she wasn't ready to live life outside home. She really wasn't. She was immature. She was selfish. She was easily swayed by other's opinion (ehem. stupid popular backstabbing people. ehem).
As much as I hated the main character Sam, I don't hate the book all in all. I just didn't really like the things that happened but I think if this happened to anyone, it will have the same outcome. It was realistic.
MAJOR SPOILER HERE
I guess the good part of a very depressing book like this is the ending. That is where everything falls into place. Where every wrong is made right. In the end, the lesson you learn is really what's important. The things you've done, they are all in the past but the lesson that you learn after making that mistake is what people should be mindful about. They should learn and not do it again. And I think in Sam, learned her lesson.
It's happening, though. A little at a time, I'm finding myself
I'd like to give it more stars but I really couldn't. I just couldn't connect that much with Sam during the whole book except towards the end. I would have to change the two stars to three. As I was writing this review, I realized that it really wasn't all bad. It was good. The lesson was good. The intention of the author to share what would happen is good.
April 25, 2012
"In Too Deep" by Amanda Grace is an example of a book that, with the right considerations and development, could've been a much better novel in its overall construction. I saw a great deal of what this book wanted to do in terms of being a story grounded in morals - but that morality is shaded in many different points and feels like it speaks more against its overall intended message rather than for it.
Granted, it's not an uncommon plot device for someone to misinterpret something they see in the heat of the moment and spread hearsay rather than speaking on what really happened. It's also not uncommon that the main character in such a scenario may not be able to do anything about it until it's too late. Such an event occurs in the heart of this story when Sam stumbles out of an embarrassing situation at a party one night with one of the most popular guys at school. Her motivation was to make her long time crush jealous by flirting with Carter, one of the most popular guys at school. Terrible judgment call on Sam's part, but I'm not judging that as much in the spectrum of the novel because it is, indeed, an intended moral stumble on Sam's part. It leads within her reasoning for the time and events said to occur.
Yet Carter turns her down in a rather rude gesture, even following a series of mishaps that, frankly, I found hard to swallow but was able to suspend disbelief for. She trips in her heels, tears her tank top, and gets a bruise on her face from the fall. The next day, Sam - to her utter mortification - realizes the whole school knows about her embarrassing rejection and fall.
Or do they?
It turns out that Sam's encounter with Carter was perpetuated into a full blown rumor that takes on a stance of its own. Rumor has it that Sam was raped by Carter. Sam knows this is definitely not true, but she's afraid to dispel it because of the fallout that will occur. All the while, battle lines are drawn in the school between the people who side with Sam and those who side with Carter. There's some prominent slut shaming in the book, and Sam gets caught up in the narratives of many people who have been scorned by Carter, some even plotting revenge, all the while trying to keep up with the budding relationship she has with her best friend Nick, who (to his utter mortification) learns of what the whole school thinks happened with Carter and tries to come to terms with that. And Sam doesn't tell Nick a damned thing, even though they're supposed to be best friends.
From there on out, it's a pressure cooker waiting to boil over, all with the backdrop of graduation within a week's span of time. And when it boils, it boils fast. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that the conclusion is all that satisfying. It more or less leaves things up in the air with all the fallout that occurs, and it's not that realistic with its consequence.
I'm not going to say that at a certain point the story didn't hit its stride with the way the actual conflict escalated, but goodness this was a trainwreck of a novel. I don't mean that in a positive way.
The structuring and pacing of the story was all over the place. At times, the content dragged in an implausible fashion and the characters felt like cardboard cutouts. There was really no point where I felt like I could either like or align with a character in what they thought or felt. I couldn't even feel much for the relationship developed between Nick and Sam, and they're supposed to be best friends turned lovers. The story as a whole came across as puerile despite the serious subject matter.
While the subject of the rumor gone awry was done in a way that did feel real, probably the only thing in this novel that did feel real, the matter of rape in this novel not only took a backdrop but fed into many stereotypes about rape that had my jaw dropping to the floor and me absolutely fuming. A better written composition could've actually addressed some of the stereotypes presented and said "Hey, this is wrong". But Sam, as she's presented in the novel, is not that intuitive, and she just gets worse as the novel goes forth. She's incredibly passive, dumb-love struck, and is a bit Mary Sue-ish in construction. When she finally does have the guts to stand up for herself - in her relationships and goals, it's already much too late and the damage has been done. I did think some of the falling out after felt realistic, but I think the open-ended conclusion did more harm than good in terms of having Sam learn from her inaction. It didn't really teach any moral consequences at all - not in a potent way.
I didn't care for this novel at all, and I wouldn't recommend it. There are much better YA stories out there that teach not only the consequences of lying, but also do a better job of constructing characters that feel more realistic and relatable. I just couldn't support the way it was told despite having an interesting idea for the plot thematic.
Overall score: 1/5
Granted, it's not an uncommon plot device for someone to misinterpret something they see in the heat of the moment and spread hearsay rather than speaking on what really happened. It's also not uncommon that the main character in such a scenario may not be able to do anything about it until it's too late. Such an event occurs in the heart of this story when Sam stumbles out of an embarrassing situation at a party one night with one of the most popular guys at school. Her motivation was to make her long time crush jealous by flirting with Carter, one of the most popular guys at school. Terrible judgment call on Sam's part, but I'm not judging that as much in the spectrum of the novel because it is, indeed, an intended moral stumble on Sam's part. It leads within her reasoning for the time and events said to occur.
Yet Carter turns her down in a rather rude gesture, even following a series of mishaps that, frankly, I found hard to swallow but was able to suspend disbelief for. She trips in her heels, tears her tank top, and gets a bruise on her face from the fall. The next day, Sam - to her utter mortification - realizes the whole school knows about her embarrassing rejection and fall.
Or do they?
It turns out that Sam's encounter with Carter was perpetuated into a full blown rumor that takes on a stance of its own. Rumor has it that Sam was raped by Carter. Sam knows this is definitely not true, but she's afraid to dispel it because of the fallout that will occur. All the while, battle lines are drawn in the school between the people who side with Sam and those who side with Carter. There's some prominent slut shaming in the book, and Sam gets caught up in the narratives of many people who have been scorned by Carter, some even plotting revenge, all the while trying to keep up with the budding relationship she has with her best friend Nick, who (to his utter mortification) learns of what the whole school thinks happened with Carter and tries to come to terms with that. And Sam doesn't tell Nick a damned thing, even though they're supposed to be best friends.
From there on out, it's a pressure cooker waiting to boil over, all with the backdrop of graduation within a week's span of time. And when it boils, it boils fast. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that the conclusion is all that satisfying. It more or less leaves things up in the air with all the fallout that occurs, and it's not that realistic with its consequence.
I'm not going to say that at a certain point the story didn't hit its stride with the way the actual conflict escalated, but goodness this was a trainwreck of a novel. I don't mean that in a positive way.
The structuring and pacing of the story was all over the place. At times, the content dragged in an implausible fashion and the characters felt like cardboard cutouts. There was really no point where I felt like I could either like or align with a character in what they thought or felt. I couldn't even feel much for the relationship developed between Nick and Sam, and they're supposed to be best friends turned lovers. The story as a whole came across as puerile despite the serious subject matter.
While the subject of the rumor gone awry was done in a way that did feel real, probably the only thing in this novel that did feel real, the matter of rape in this novel not only took a backdrop but fed into many stereotypes about rape that had my jaw dropping to the floor and me absolutely fuming. A better written composition could've actually addressed some of the stereotypes presented and said "Hey, this is wrong". But Sam, as she's presented in the novel, is not that intuitive, and she just gets worse as the novel goes forth. She's incredibly passive, dumb-love struck, and is a bit Mary Sue-ish in construction. When she finally does have the guts to stand up for herself - in her relationships and goals, it's already much too late and the damage has been done. I did think some of the falling out after felt realistic, but I think the open-ended conclusion did more harm than good in terms of having Sam learn from her inaction. It didn't really teach any moral consequences at all - not in a potent way.
I didn't care for this novel at all, and I wouldn't recommend it. There are much better YA stories out there that teach not only the consequences of lying, but also do a better job of constructing characters that feel more realistic and relatable. I just couldn't support the way it was told despite having an interesting idea for the plot thematic.
Overall score: 1/5
February 23, 2012
In Too Deep is a book I didn't want to put down and stayed up until 2 am to finish. When I took a break from reading I couldn't help but think about the storyline and wonder just how Sam was going to get herself out of the mess she was in and what the consequences would be. Thus I was drawn back to the book and stayed up to finish.
Overall I was pleased with this book. The story sucked me in and I like the way the author writes. I could relate to the characters and was grateful this book showed that there were consequences for the choices that were made.
The only thing I could have done without was the language. I'm not a fan of language in books especially the F word.
Rating: 4 Stars - Great Books
Source: ARC Tour
Content: Language including at least a half dozen uses of the F word.
Overall I was pleased with this book. The story sucked me in and I like the way the author writes. I could relate to the characters and was grateful this book showed that there were consequences for the choices that were made.
The only thing I could have done without was the language. I'm not a fan of language in books especially the F word.
Rating: 4 Stars - Great Books
Source: ARC Tour
Content: Language including at least a half dozen uses of the F word.
November 23, 2011
IN TOO DEEP, a contemporary young adult novel that begs the question, how far is too far.
When Samantha Marshall enters the party of Carter Wellesley, she’s already taken too far. Her first mistake, dressing in an all too short mini-skirt hoping to catch the attention of Carter so she can make her best friend, Nick, jealous.
Case in point of almost every teenage girl…lack of communication and using sex to make someone jealous.
Sam spends the night drinking after realizing that grabbing Carter’s attention is much harder then she thought until she sees him walk into his room. Sam follows making mistake number two. When she approaches Carter, she finds out he wants nothing to do with what she’s offering. With tears streaming down her face, she runs into another classmate who assumes the worse.
When Sam returns to school she’s the source of the weekend gossip and instead of asking when approached with questions, she lets everyone believe the lie. Mistake number three. The senior class is now divided; half thinking she was raped by golden boy Carter and the other half saying she’s made it up. The whole school is taking about the weekend party and Sam is completely oblivious to what is being said. All she knows is that girls who used to be her friends are talking to her again and on her side.
Let’s discuss Carter. This boy is accused of rape and he does nothing about it. He allows his friends to vandalize Sam’s car and locker but does not go to his parents for help. Since this story takes place in small town Washington, news travels fast yet he stays tight lipped and harasses Sam in the hallway and via Facebook.
Sam struggles with telling the truth, especially to Nick, her now boyfriend since he’s professed his undying love but fails. She’s given ample opportunity to tell not only Nick after he confronts her but the many classmates offering her support. Sam is then convinced to keep the secret by a group of girls because they were all wronged by Carter. Totally John Tucker Must Die revenge.
Carter loses a lot in this story. This is a boy who granted has some seriously messed up morals and values when it comes to girls but to be accused of rape and become the most hated person in school is probably very damaging especially when you know you didn’t do anything wrong except turn the girl down. Carter went about everything wrong.
Sam is a character with extreme communication issues. Her mom walked out when she was a toddler so she was raised by her father who is not over his ex-wife. All Sam wants is to go away to college and her father won’t allow it. These two are so in need of therapy.
Sam’s mistake cost everyone, including herself in the story. The only winner, are the girls that wanted revenge but don’t have to live with anyone knowing they urged Sam to keep the secret.
As a reader I became extremely frustrated. First of all, if an author is going to choose small town Washington as the back drop, please do not make the main character’s father the Chief of Police. That was done and put to bed, time to move on. Living in small town, people talk. There is no way Sam’s father would not have found out about this from the moment the rumors spread. The school Principal was more concerned with the vandalism then the fact that one of his students was allegedly raped. If the whole school is taking about this, he’s bound to know!
When Samantha Marshall enters the party of Carter Wellesley, she’s already taken too far. Her first mistake, dressing in an all too short mini-skirt hoping to catch the attention of Carter so she can make her best friend, Nick, jealous.
Case in point of almost every teenage girl…lack of communication and using sex to make someone jealous.
Sam spends the night drinking after realizing that grabbing Carter’s attention is much harder then she thought until she sees him walk into his room. Sam follows making mistake number two. When she approaches Carter, she finds out he wants nothing to do with what she’s offering. With tears streaming down her face, she runs into another classmate who assumes the worse.
When Sam returns to school she’s the source of the weekend gossip and instead of asking when approached with questions, she lets everyone believe the lie. Mistake number three. The senior class is now divided; half thinking she was raped by golden boy Carter and the other half saying she’s made it up. The whole school is taking about the weekend party and Sam is completely oblivious to what is being said. All she knows is that girls who used to be her friends are talking to her again and on her side.
Let’s discuss Carter. This boy is accused of rape and he does nothing about it. He allows his friends to vandalize Sam’s car and locker but does not go to his parents for help. Since this story takes place in small town Washington, news travels fast yet he stays tight lipped and harasses Sam in the hallway and via Facebook.
Sam struggles with telling the truth, especially to Nick, her now boyfriend since he’s professed his undying love but fails. She’s given ample opportunity to tell not only Nick after he confronts her but the many classmates offering her support. Sam is then convinced to keep the secret by a group of girls because they were all wronged by Carter. Totally John Tucker Must Die revenge.
Carter loses a lot in this story. This is a boy who granted has some seriously messed up morals and values when it comes to girls but to be accused of rape and become the most hated person in school is probably very damaging especially when you know you didn’t do anything wrong except turn the girl down. Carter went about everything wrong.
Sam is a character with extreme communication issues. Her mom walked out when she was a toddler so she was raised by her father who is not over his ex-wife. All Sam wants is to go away to college and her father won’t allow it. These two are so in need of therapy.
Sam’s mistake cost everyone, including herself in the story. The only winner, are the girls that wanted revenge but don’t have to live with anyone knowing they urged Sam to keep the secret.
As a reader I became extremely frustrated. First of all, if an author is going to choose small town Washington as the back drop, please do not make the main character’s father the Chief of Police. That was done and put to bed, time to move on. Living in small town, people talk. There is no way Sam’s father would not have found out about this from the moment the rumors spread. The school Principal was more concerned with the vandalism then the fact that one of his students was allegedly raped. If the whole school is taking about this, he’s bound to know!
November 22, 2015
Reseña y premio a La Protagonista Más Tonta
Y, SIN MÁS -NINGUNA- DILACIONES, EL PREMIO A LA PROTAGONISTA MÁS TONTA ES PARA...
SAM M
¡Enhorabuena, te lo has ganado a pulso!
¿Tengo algo más que decir?
Pues sí.
Esto me pasa por escoger los libros al azar, que termino otorgando premios penosos y haciendo todo un espectáculo.
Pero bueno, lo hecho, hecho está.
No os dejéis engañar por la portada, In too deep no es ningún libro dramático sobre personas con problemas, superación o depresión. No toca ninguna fibra y tened por seguro que no tiene nada de deep.
El libro empieza con la típica fiesta organizada por el chico más popular del instituto -mira que les gustan a los estadounidenses estas fiestas-, y en la que Sam, nuestra protagonista, se dispone a ligar con el susodicho chico popular para poner celoso a su mejor amigo, Nick, y así conseguir que la mire como algo más que una amiga.
¿Cliché? Sí.
¿Infantil? Mira tú por donde.
¿Estúpido? Ni falta hace que lo diga.
El caso es, Nick ni siquiera echa cuenta a Sam en toda la fiesta. Ni Nick, ni chico-popular, a.k.a Carter, ni ningún otro chico. Ante un inminente plan fallido, Sam no ve otra cosa que hacer más que emborracharse.
Es así cómo acaba fisgoneando en la habitación de Carter cuando él está dentro, tropezando, rompiense su top, dándose un golpe, siendo cruelmente rechazada por Chico-popular y con todo el instituto creyendo que ha sido violada por éste último.
Lo único que tenías que hacer es darle una indirecta por twitter, chica. No hace falta que te compliques la vida.
Sólo que Sam no sabe de los rumores hasta mitad del día lunes, una semana antes de la graduación.
De repente, se encuentra siendo el objetivo de burlas, miradas poco sutiles y de la compasión de personas que ni siquiera se dignaron a mirarla en todos los años que estudiaron juntos. Además, está la cosa de que todos creen que Carter es un monstruo-violador, cuando es mentira.
Lo de ser un violador, no lo del monstruo.
Vamos a poner las cartas sobre la mesa:
Sam va al instiuto, y se entera de que se rumorea de que fue violada.
Le están haciendo la vida imposible a ella, así que imagínate como será la de Carter, con todos en su contra.
La gente pregunta muchas veces a Sam si lo que dicen por ahí es cierto, y ella, en vez de negarlo, sólo asiente.
Si sólo hubiera negado la cabeza, ¡que no cuesta nada!, sólo moverla de un lado a otro, sólo una vez, podría haberse solucionado todo.
No huevos podridos en el coche de Carter, no pintadas de "perra" en la taquilla de Sam, no compasión, no visitas a la oficina del director, no drama, no problem.
Este libro habría pasado de novela a relato corto de, digamos, 15 páginas como mucho.
Durante todas las páginas del libro, cuando no está autocompadeciéndose, Sam se excusa diciendo que ella no empezó el rumor. Que todos saltaron a conclusiones. Que ella no quiso que nada de esto pasase.
Pero tuvo mil y una oportunidades para solucionar el problema, y no lo hizo.
Ella -tal cual, como si fuera una persona de verdad y no un personaje- dice que sólo seguía con la mentira porque era más fácil que afrontar la verdad -como si decir que no fue violada fuera peor que ser violada de verdad-. Pero yo creo que es mentira.
Creo que, en realidad, le cogió el gustito a ser la víctima.
Por una vez, el chico popular era el malo, y la chica invisible era vista por todos. En aquella semana que duró el conflicto, Sam se vio abordada por muchas personas, amigas con las que se dejó de hablar, chicas populares que querían ayudarla, y prácticamente todo el instituto apoyándola -además de que Nick parece haberse quitado una venda de los ojos-.
Como si el ser acusado de violación fuera un camino de rosas para Carter. Sí, es un capullo. Y sí, se merecía que la gente le viera como tal. Pero nadie merece ser acusado de algo tan cruel cuando es completamente inocente.
Algo que he odiado al leer In too deep, es la facilidad con la que la protagonista lleva ser la "chica violada". Se toma la violación como si fuera algo normal, nada importante. Pasea por los pasillos, come, charla y juega como si nada.
Como si la violación no fuera un acto atroz.
Y sí, sé que en realida no le pasó, pero podría habérselo tomado con más seriedad y haber dicho la verdad, por lo menos por un poco de respeto.
Pues eso era todo lo que tenía que decir. La narración es simple tirando a mediocre. Los personajes, aunque algunos se salen del cliché, son más del tipo de relleno.
Aunque el final no es feliz, y eso sí que me gustó.
Bueno, no tanto.
Y, SIN MÁS -NINGUNA- DILACIONES, EL PREMIO A LA PROTAGONISTA MÁS TONTA ES PARA...
SAM M
¡Enhorabuena, te lo has ganado a pulso!
¿Tengo algo más que decir?
Pues sí.
Esto me pasa por escoger los libros al azar, que termino otorgando premios penosos y haciendo todo un espectáculo.
Pero bueno, lo hecho, hecho está.
No os dejéis engañar por la portada, In too deep no es ningún libro dramático sobre personas con problemas, superación o depresión. No toca ninguna fibra y tened por seguro que no tiene nada de deep.
El libro empieza con la típica fiesta organizada por el chico más popular del instituto -mira que les gustan a los estadounidenses estas fiestas-, y en la que Sam, nuestra protagonista, se dispone a ligar con el susodicho chico popular para poner celoso a su mejor amigo, Nick, y así conseguir que la mire como algo más que una amiga.
¿Cliché? Sí.
¿Infantil? Mira tú por donde.
¿Estúpido? Ni falta hace que lo diga.
El caso es, Nick ni siquiera echa cuenta a Sam en toda la fiesta. Ni Nick, ni chico-popular, a.k.a Carter, ni ningún otro chico. Ante un inminente plan fallido, Sam no ve otra cosa que hacer más que emborracharse.
Es así cómo acaba fisgoneando en la habitación de Carter cuando él está dentro, tropezando, rompiense su top, dándose un golpe, siendo cruelmente rechazada por Chico-popular y con todo el instituto creyendo que ha sido violada por éste último.
Lo único que tenías que hacer es darle una indirecta por twitter, chica. No hace falta que te compliques la vida.
Sólo que Sam no sabe de los rumores hasta mitad del día lunes, una semana antes de la graduación.
De repente, se encuentra siendo el objetivo de burlas, miradas poco sutiles y de la compasión de personas que ni siquiera se dignaron a mirarla en todos los años que estudiaron juntos. Además, está la cosa de que todos creen que Carter es un monstruo-violador, cuando es mentira.
Lo de ser un violador, no lo del monstruo.
Vamos a poner las cartas sobre la mesa:
Sam va al instiuto, y se entera de que se rumorea de que fue violada.
Le están haciendo la vida imposible a ella, así que imagínate como será la de Carter, con todos en su contra.
La gente pregunta muchas veces a Sam si lo que dicen por ahí es cierto, y ella, en vez de negarlo, sólo asiente.
Si sólo hubiera negado la cabeza, ¡que no cuesta nada!, sólo moverla de un lado a otro, sólo una vez, podría haberse solucionado todo.
No huevos podridos en el coche de Carter, no pintadas de "perra" en la taquilla de Sam, no compasión, no visitas a la oficina del director, no drama, no problem.
Este libro habría pasado de novela a relato corto de, digamos, 15 páginas como mucho.
Durante todas las páginas del libro, cuando no está autocompadeciéndose, Sam se excusa diciendo que ella no empezó el rumor. Que todos saltaron a conclusiones. Que ella no quiso que nada de esto pasase.
Pero tuvo mil y una oportunidades para solucionar el problema, y no lo hizo.
Ella -tal cual, como si fuera una persona de verdad y no un personaje- dice que sólo seguía con la mentira porque era más fácil que afrontar la verdad -como si decir que no fue violada fuera peor que ser violada de verdad-. Pero yo creo que es mentira.
Creo que, en realidad, le cogió el gustito a ser la víctima.
Por una vez, el chico popular era el malo, y la chica invisible era vista por todos. En aquella semana que duró el conflicto, Sam se vio abordada por muchas personas, amigas con las que se dejó de hablar, chicas populares que querían ayudarla, y prácticamente todo el instituto apoyándola -además de que Nick parece haberse quitado una venda de los ojos-.
Como si el ser acusado de violación fuera un camino de rosas para Carter. Sí, es un capullo. Y sí, se merecía que la gente le viera como tal. Pero nadie merece ser acusado de algo tan cruel cuando es completamente inocente.
Algo que he odiado al leer In too deep, es la facilidad con la que la protagonista lleva ser la "chica violada". Se toma la violación como si fuera algo normal, nada importante. Pasea por los pasillos, come, charla y juega como si nada.
Como si la violación no fuera un acto atroz.
Y sí, sé que en realida no le pasó, pero podría habérselo tomado con más seriedad y haber dicho la verdad, por lo menos por un poco de respeto.
Pues eso era todo lo que tenía que decir. La narración es simple tirando a mediocre. Los personajes, aunque algunos se salen del cliché, son más del tipo de relleno.
Aunque el final no es feliz, y eso sí que me gustó.
Bueno, no tanto.
August 25, 2012
I thought I was going to get pretty enraged by IN TOO DEEP because I have some pretty strong feelings about girls crying rape but it wasn't too bad. I think ultimately it was all handled really well, the protagonist went through a sufficient level of guilt and it wrapped itself up realistically so I really don't have any complaints.
IN TOO DEEP tackled all the relevant avenues that it could potentially go down, I think, from claimant guilt to what's happening to the guy to his future to her future to the repercussions to outward reactions in the face of the lie's reality and a bunch of things in between. But it doesn't touch on how a lie about rape ultimately undermines a claim of rape. In fairness it wasn't relevant to the plot but at the same time I do wish it was touched upon. It's hard enough for women that were raped to come forward. When a woman cries rape for her own gain it undermines the claim for all, making people that little bit less trustworthy of the next woman to claim she was raped because the last person they knew lied about it. There is just no winning for anyone when rape is claimed when it didn't really happen and while IN TOO DEEP does touch upon most of it I do think it would have been just that little bit stronger if it broached undermining as well.
Irrespective of the lie it is pretty awful what Sam goes through when people believe it, especially at the hands of Carter's friends who believe his story blindly. If it were true they'd still be doing the same thing and while it was rough to read something like that I think it's unfortunately accurate. Rape is belittled constantly when it has actually happened so it's no surprise that Sam suffered the things she did at the hands of the buddies of her supposed rapist.
It's hard to say that Sam is a likable character because she cried rape and then perpetuated the lie due to peer pressure and a need for vengeance but I didn't dislike her. I didn't find her reprehensible or a disgusting human being. She's a girl that was scorned by an incredible douche bag. That doesn't make what she did right but I think it explained enough to make me believe it, especially when the other girls bring in their own stories. Yes, Carter was a douche and yes even I, reading this, felt just a little bit of joy seeing the high and mighty knocked from his pedestal. But rape is a devastating tag and not even the biggest of douche bags deserve to have that kind of lie haunting them for the rest of their lives. It only succeeds in ultimately turning the douche into a victim and garnering him sympathy. Kind of the adverse effect.
I found the end wholly satisfying because everything worked out how I felt it should for everything that had happened. For a while there I was a little afraid that it would tank, that I'd end up with another ACCOMPLICE that had me raging. It didn't. All of the repercussions you'd expect to happen do and it feels right. Lessons are learned at great cost and life goes on for all. Sickly sweet need not apply. The end is rather ugly but it's deserved and what's even better Sam knows it and accepts it.
IN TOO DEEP delves into an aspect of a dark event that I don't think too many people do. Everyone's always so focused on the real act of rape that they don't consider what an unsubstantiated accusation can do to someone. I like it for it's difference in that regard. That's not to impugn rape but look at it from another angle where things aren't what they seem. The Duke lacrosse scandal is probably the most prominent example of something similar to IN TOO DEEP. It's a good read and immensely satisfying, as odd as it sounds. I'm a fan of characters suffering realistic repercussions for their actions.
IN TOO DEEP tackled all the relevant avenues that it could potentially go down, I think, from claimant guilt to what's happening to the guy to his future to her future to the repercussions to outward reactions in the face of the lie's reality and a bunch of things in between. But it doesn't touch on how a lie about rape ultimately undermines a claim of rape. In fairness it wasn't relevant to the plot but at the same time I do wish it was touched upon. It's hard enough for women that were raped to come forward. When a woman cries rape for her own gain it undermines the claim for all, making people that little bit less trustworthy of the next woman to claim she was raped because the last person they knew lied about it. There is just no winning for anyone when rape is claimed when it didn't really happen and while IN TOO DEEP does touch upon most of it I do think it would have been just that little bit stronger if it broached undermining as well.
Irrespective of the lie it is pretty awful what Sam goes through when people believe it, especially at the hands of Carter's friends who believe his story blindly. If it were true they'd still be doing the same thing and while it was rough to read something like that I think it's unfortunately accurate. Rape is belittled constantly when it has actually happened so it's no surprise that Sam suffered the things she did at the hands of the buddies of her supposed rapist.
It's hard to say that Sam is a likable character because she cried rape and then perpetuated the lie due to peer pressure and a need for vengeance but I didn't dislike her. I didn't find her reprehensible or a disgusting human being. She's a girl that was scorned by an incredible douche bag. That doesn't make what she did right but I think it explained enough to make me believe it, especially when the other girls bring in their own stories. Yes, Carter was a douche and yes even I, reading this, felt just a little bit of joy seeing the high and mighty knocked from his pedestal. But rape is a devastating tag and not even the biggest of douche bags deserve to have that kind of lie haunting them for the rest of their lives. It only succeeds in ultimately turning the douche into a victim and garnering him sympathy. Kind of the adverse effect.
I found the end wholly satisfying because everything worked out how I felt it should for everything that had happened. For a while there I was a little afraid that it would tank, that I'd end up with another ACCOMPLICE that had me raging. It didn't. All of the repercussions you'd expect to happen do and it feels right. Lessons are learned at great cost and life goes on for all. Sickly sweet need not apply. The end is rather ugly but it's deserved and what's even better Sam knows it and accepts it.
IN TOO DEEP delves into an aspect of a dark event that I don't think too many people do. Everyone's always so focused on the real act of rape that they don't consider what an unsubstantiated accusation can do to someone. I like it for it's difference in that regard. That's not to impugn rape but look at it from another angle where things aren't what they seem. The Duke lacrosse scandal is probably the most prominent example of something similar to IN TOO DEEP. It's a good read and immensely satisfying, as odd as it sounds. I'm a fan of characters suffering realistic repercussions for their actions.
April 4, 2012
Due to a misunderstanding, a girl sees Sam (main character - female) leaving the bedroom of Carter & because of Sam's appearance (tears & torn shirt) & her demeanor, the observer infers that Carter had raped Sam. Soon this rumor spreads through the whole school - unknown to Sam. (She's just embarassed Carter rejected her advances - which were only made to get her best friend Nick to notice her as a girl.) When Sam hears the rumors for the first time Monday at school, she is too stunned to speak up. What follows is a story of a girl who, though confused at first, lies by omission throughout the rest of the tale because she's too afraid of losing Nick as her new boyfriend.
Throughout the book, I felt frustrated & sympathetic with Sam at the same time. I was pleased that the story doesn't end neatly. Sam really has to face the consequences of her actions, some of which prove very dire. She also has to grow and learn to stand up and communicate about alot of things, not just go with the easiest path, as she's done most of her life.
While I feel like this book will appeal mostly to girls, guys will also find much to think about here. Carter is a jerk toward girls - as it comes out later in the tale. Does that mean he deserves to live with these rumors? Nick is Mr. Nice Guy, but not totally supportive of Sam at first when he thinks she's been raped. He doesn't want to believe it & that colors his approach to her. There are NO innocents here & NO easy decisions. This book seems totally believable given the situations each teen has grown up through. I really do think everyone should read it at least once.
Throughout the book, I felt frustrated & sympathetic with Sam at the same time. I was pleased that the story doesn't end neatly. Sam really has to face the consequences of her actions, some of which prove very dire. She also has to grow and learn to stand up and communicate about alot of things, not just go with the easiest path, as she's done most of her life.
While I feel like this book will appeal mostly to girls, guys will also find much to think about here. Carter is a jerk toward girls - as it comes out later in the tale. Does that mean he deserves to live with these rumors? Nick is Mr. Nice Guy, but not totally supportive of Sam at first when he thinks she's been raped. He doesn't want to believe it & that colors his approach to her. There are NO innocents here & NO easy decisions. This book seems totally believable given the situations each teen has grown up through. I really do think everyone should read it at least once.
April 23, 2014
We may not like the characters we relate to, and we may not relate to the characters we like. In Too Deep is the former, with a narrator whose first mistake starts a snowball effect. The big issue is that she could publicly correct misconceptions any time, but doesn't until the very end. Yes, she confesses when all is said and done, but for the most part Samantha Marshall is unlikable, even though teens may relate to her reluctance to clear the air.
It's on the back cover, so I don't count it as a spoiler: Carter Wellesley doesn't rape Sam, but she lets everyone believe he did. Her defence is, "I didn't SAY he raped me," but the fact is she doesn't immediately speak the truth when she realises a rumour is spreading.
Sam reasons that Carter is mean, so he deserves a bit of payback. But that's a slap in the face to every victim of rape who is too scared to report the crime, or who reports it but isn't believed. Except for the few who key a derogatory term into the side of her car, Sam is mostly believed and supported. This should give readers hope, but that it's all a fabrication leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
And to think all this horribleness would've been avoided by Sam actually admitting to her best friend that she's in love with him. But then this novel wouldn't exist, because there'd be no story.
It's on the back cover, so I don't count it as a spoiler: Carter Wellesley doesn't rape Sam, but she lets everyone believe he did. Her defence is, "I didn't SAY he raped me," but the fact is she doesn't immediately speak the truth when she realises a rumour is spreading.
Sam reasons that Carter is mean, so he deserves a bit of payback. But that's a slap in the face to every victim of rape who is too scared to report the crime, or who reports it but isn't believed. Except for the few who key a derogatory term into the side of her car, Sam is mostly believed and supported. This should give readers hope, but that it's all a fabrication leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
And to think all this horribleness would've been avoided by Sam actually admitting to her best friend that she's in love with him. But then this novel wouldn't exist, because there'd be no story.
March 15, 2012
Sam is your quintessential teenage nobody – she has one friend, and that friend doesn’t even know about the thing she cares the most about, writing. In a town so small that you’re bound to have two classes with everyone in your entire graduating class, where her father is conveniently the chief of police, it’s no wonder she feels a bit alone.
The story starts with Sam being in love with her best friend. Who hasn’t been there? It’s a feeling so familiar to so many people that you can immediately identify with her. But Sam’s best friend, Nick, is also the class president. He cares deeply for her, and her social status as slightly dingy wallpaper doesn’t bother him. Their friendship is illuminated through wonderful scenes together from the very start—and the reader knows that there’s maybe more than just a possibility that the feelings are mutual.
We move on from there to the bulk of the story – Sam is seen leaving Carter’s bedroom in tears and a total wreck. We know why, but the others don’t. The assumptions start, and partially due to Sam’s state of inebriation, she unknowingly tells one of the bystanders that yes, Carter, golden boy of the town, raped her.
From there, the story branches out into a few directions. Sam doesn’t realize what she’s done until after the weekend is through, and it’s all over school. People befriend her and come up to her who wouldn’t normally before, and her best friend is beside himself over what happened when he finds out. But even when she does find out, Sam doesn’t open her mouth and deny what happened.
This, unfortunately, is where the book loses a lot of credibility with me. Sure, it might be realistic if someone was cruel enough to let something like that get so out of hand. But Sam isn’t written like that – in fact, Sam isn’t written like much at all. She is afraid of everything – her feelings for Nick, her father (who is written so stereotypically as the single father in a position of power), and anyone knowing that she loves writing. That’s all that we know about Sam. By the end of the book, I couldn’t tell if she had really grown, or if she shifted to avoid all the things flying at her.
I have to commend Mandy Hubbard / Amanda Grace for her continuing interesting choice of plot. But I Love Him and In Too Deep had so much potential in them, but like But I Love Him, there was a lot missing in In Too Deep. I don’t think that this is the kind of book that can only be 228 pages. There are so many things that should have been elaborated on, dealt with, and fleshed out.
For example, Sam’s emotions: sorrow swirls through me, I feel my cheeks burn, confusion twists through me, my face flames hotter. The entire book, either something was going through her body, or burning her, but that’s all. You don’t feel the emotions with Sam, you’re told them, which is why this book felt so far away.
You feel the reaction of her school more than you feel her reactions. You know where the other students stand, and how they feel. People support Sam, and then Carter’s friends hate her, shame her, and blame her for what happened. That, of course, is hugely realistic, especially to a high school. As sad as it is, we know that happens. We see it all the time, and Hubbard/Grace did a fantastic job making that feel realistic.
But we reach a point where Sam should have spoken up, and unfortunately, she doesn’t. What happens next is, without a doubt, her fault. After she passes that point without opening her mouth, things slide downhill for her, and for this book altogether.
I enjoyed reading this for the plot, but it may be a while before I pick up anything else by Mandy Hubbard. I like finely developed characters, feeling what they are feeling, and depth. This book had an interesting plot, but that alone was not enough to make up for the lack of everything else.
The story starts with Sam being in love with her best friend. Who hasn’t been there? It’s a feeling so familiar to so many people that you can immediately identify with her. But Sam’s best friend, Nick, is also the class president. He cares deeply for her, and her social status as slightly dingy wallpaper doesn’t bother him. Their friendship is illuminated through wonderful scenes together from the very start—and the reader knows that there’s maybe more than just a possibility that the feelings are mutual.
We move on from there to the bulk of the story – Sam is seen leaving Carter’s bedroom in tears and a total wreck. We know why, but the others don’t. The assumptions start, and partially due to Sam’s state of inebriation, she unknowingly tells one of the bystanders that yes, Carter, golden boy of the town, raped her.
From there, the story branches out into a few directions. Sam doesn’t realize what she’s done until after the weekend is through, and it’s all over school. People befriend her and come up to her who wouldn’t normally before, and her best friend is beside himself over what happened when he finds out. But even when she does find out, Sam doesn’t open her mouth and deny what happened.
This, unfortunately, is where the book loses a lot of credibility with me. Sure, it might be realistic if someone was cruel enough to let something like that get so out of hand. But Sam isn’t written like that – in fact, Sam isn’t written like much at all. She is afraid of everything – her feelings for Nick, her father (who is written so stereotypically as the single father in a position of power), and anyone knowing that she loves writing. That’s all that we know about Sam. By the end of the book, I couldn’t tell if she had really grown, or if she shifted to avoid all the things flying at her.
I have to commend Mandy Hubbard / Amanda Grace for her continuing interesting choice of plot. But I Love Him and In Too Deep had so much potential in them, but like But I Love Him, there was a lot missing in In Too Deep. I don’t think that this is the kind of book that can only be 228 pages. There are so many things that should have been elaborated on, dealt with, and fleshed out.
For example, Sam’s emotions: sorrow swirls through me, I feel my cheeks burn, confusion twists through me, my face flames hotter. The entire book, either something was going through her body, or burning her, but that’s all. You don’t feel the emotions with Sam, you’re told them, which is why this book felt so far away.
You feel the reaction of her school more than you feel her reactions. You know where the other students stand, and how they feel. People support Sam, and then Carter’s friends hate her, shame her, and blame her for what happened. That, of course, is hugely realistic, especially to a high school. As sad as it is, we know that happens. We see it all the time, and Hubbard/Grace did a fantastic job making that feel realistic.
But we reach a point where Sam should have spoken up, and unfortunately, she doesn’t. What happens next is, without a doubt, her fault. After she passes that point without opening her mouth, things slide downhill for her, and for this book altogether.
I enjoyed reading this for the plot, but it may be a while before I pick up anything else by Mandy Hubbard. I like finely developed characters, feeling what they are feeling, and depth. This book had an interesting plot, but that alone was not enough to make up for the lack of everything else.
February 13, 2016
Watch out! Spoilers are all over the place.
I was hesistant to read this book. I am not really into books that feature rape. Luckily I found out this book didn't feature rape, just a girl accidentally saying yes to people when asked vaguely about something.
Though, really that girl is an idiot. She could have fixed it days ago, fixed it all, but she just let it all come and grow. :\ I feel for Carter, he didn't do anything (though he is mean and rotten to girls), but no one deserves a rape charge, no one deserves to be accused of such a thing. It will break his whole future, and apparently our lovely lead girl Sam, doesn't give a damn about it or didn't think about it.
I liked Sam in the beginning of the book, though ok, there are better ways to get your best friend to love you, and those don't involve flirting (and potentially having sex) with another dude. Yes that might make him jealous, but also it might make him drop you.
And she should really think about, before saying yes to stuff, I know you are drunk (stupid), but atleast try to focus when people see you step out of a room, all bruised and your top is ripped. But nooo, miss Sam is drunk and totally crushed because Carter just told her she is ugly.
Thank Lord she just told the girls about it, and they are feeling all guilty (good). Though now they are planning just to continue with the whole deal, because, hey, who cares about those rumors when he is off to California in a few days.. and he has had a long time to reign the school as if he is God... People that is not how it works and that is not how you should think. :\
And wow that Dad is like super overprotective, it is just sad and pathetic. Your daughter has everything planned out, and you just rip everything to shreds and don't even listen or hold an adult conversation over her choices? Like what?
Wow, yippee in the end she confesses to everyone that it wasn't true, no one got raped. And that she didn't start the rumor, but that she also didn't do anything to stop it. She is sorry. Well sorry, is a bit too late girl. If you were honest, you would have gotten to keep Nick, now you have no Nick. Now you have nothing.
I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone. Unless you like a character who is quite dumb and annoying.
I was hesistant to read this book. I am not really into books that feature rape. Luckily I found out this book didn't feature rape, just a girl accidentally saying yes to people when asked vaguely about something.
Though, really that girl is an idiot. She could have fixed it days ago, fixed it all, but she just let it all come and grow. :\ I feel for Carter, he didn't do anything (though he is mean and rotten to girls), but no one deserves a rape charge, no one deserves to be accused of such a thing. It will break his whole future, and apparently our lovely lead girl Sam, doesn't give a damn about it or didn't think about it.
I liked Sam in the beginning of the book, though ok, there are better ways to get your best friend to love you, and those don't involve flirting (and potentially having sex) with another dude. Yes that might make him jealous, but also it might make him drop you.
And she should really think about, before saying yes to stuff, I know you are drunk (stupid), but atleast try to focus when people see you step out of a room, all bruised and your top is ripped. But nooo, miss Sam is drunk and totally crushed because Carter just told her she is ugly.
Thank Lord she just told the girls about it, and they are feeling all guilty (good). Though now they are planning just to continue with the whole deal, because, hey, who cares about those rumors when he is off to California in a few days.. and he has had a long time to reign the school as if he is God... People that is not how it works and that is not how you should think. :\
And wow that Dad is like super overprotective, it is just sad and pathetic. Your daughter has everything planned out, and you just rip everything to shreds and don't even listen or hold an adult conversation over her choices? Like what?
Wow, yippee in the end she confesses to everyone that it wasn't true, no one got raped. And that she didn't start the rumor, but that she also didn't do anything to stop it. She is sorry. Well sorry, is a bit too late girl. If you were honest, you would have gotten to keep Nick, now you have no Nick. Now you have nothing.
I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone. Unless you like a character who is quite dumb and annoying.
September 24, 2013
Can someone please tell me when people became so cavalier about rape?
"Pfft. It's just rape, no big deal. It happens sometimes." What?
I didn't do this to you. But you know what? You kinda deserve it.
Why? Why did he deserve it? Because he rejected you? Or because he broke up with those other girls after they wouldn't sleep with him? Or because they did, or whatever? Yeah, he's a huge douchenozzle, does that mean he deserves to be pegged as a rapist for the rest of his life?
Also, one more thing, I'm sorry, I don't care how small your school is, there is absolutely no way that a teacher didn't hear that rumor. Just no way. Either a student would have told, or they would have overheard it somehow. And, yet, apparently they overlooked it. Awesome.
Oh, and, apparently the whole town knew too, atleast by graduation day, and yet nobody told her father, a police officer. Nobody said anything. I realize most people probably don't really like to get involved in certain situations, but still, someone would have said something.
I really liked her father's reaction to the truth, "Let's not address that you probably ruined this other guy's life, just as long as you're okay, honey."
I'm actually really happy that she ended up alone, without Nick, at the end of this book. You deserved it.Selfish bitch.
It's safe to say, I did not like this book. At all. It was not my cup of tea. Although, I completely understand why Miss Grace wrote this, or I should say, I understand the message I took from it. It's a very serious issue, I just couldn't get over how unrealistic some of it was.
I know this probably wasn't the most productive/ helpful review, and I apologize for that, I just needed to rant a little bit. I still can't quite wrap my head around what I just read.
I would, however, like to add that, despite my dislike of this book, Amanda Grace is a fantastic writer. I really liked her style. I'm definitely going to have to try another one of her works.
Later Days.
"Pfft. It's just rape, no big deal. It happens sometimes." What?
I didn't do this to you. But you know what? You kinda deserve it.
Why? Why did he deserve it? Because he rejected you? Or because he broke up with those other girls after they wouldn't sleep with him? Or because they did, or whatever? Yeah, he's a huge douchenozzle, does that mean he deserves to be pegged as a rapist for the rest of his life?
Also, one more thing, I'm sorry, I don't care how small your school is, there is absolutely no way that a teacher didn't hear that rumor. Just no way. Either a student would have told, or they would have overheard it somehow. And, yet, apparently they overlooked it. Awesome.
Oh, and, apparently the whole town knew too, atleast by graduation day, and yet nobody told her father, a police officer. Nobody said anything. I realize most people probably don't really like to get involved in certain situations, but still, someone would have said something.
I really liked her father's reaction to the truth, "Let's not address that you probably ruined this other guy's life, just as long as you're okay, honey."
I'm actually really happy that she ended up alone, without Nick, at the end of this book. You deserved it.
It's safe to say, I did not like this book. At all. It was not my cup of tea. Although, I completely understand why Miss Grace wrote this, or I should say, I understand the message I took from it. It's a very serious issue, I just couldn't get over how unrealistic some of it was.
I know this probably wasn't the most productive/ helpful review, and I apologize for that, I just needed to rant a little bit. I still can't quite wrap my head around what I just read.
I would, however, like to add that, despite my dislike of this book, Amanda Grace is a fantastic writer. I really liked her style. I'm definitely going to have to try another one of her works.
Later Days.
April 25, 2022
2.5* It’s sad because I was glued to this book I could not put it down it really draws you in but at the same time it really made you angry! She allowed a lie of the worst kind to spread and had a million opportunities to set it straight and chose not too and in the end lost everything including the boy she loved to begin with! Carter was absolutely not worth the time spent on him. he was a super jerk at the beginning when he called her a two bagger and said he would never be interested in her, an even bigger jerk after the lie spread, threatening her and vandalizing her stuff and then an even bigger jerk then that if that’s even possible in the end after she set the lie straight! He got the happy ending and he never deserved one to begin with all because one girl at a party didn’t get the story straight, started a rumor and Sam never denied it just told them it happened because she thought they were talking about something else. She just said it happened without even asking first what they were asking about 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ I feel like the message the author was trying to send about the consequences of rumors was a good one but at the same time I feel like it could have been done better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2017
Creo que lo que mas me gustó fué el final......
December 14, 2012
In the opposite of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, this realistic "message" novel is actually pretty poignant if brief and shallow (and not in a negative way, it just merely scrapes the surface of a story like this). Samantha attends a party in a skimpy outfit for two reasons, to make her best boy friend, Nick, jealous and fall madly in love with her and possibly do it with Carter, the jock extraordinaire. In a twist of mistaken circumstances, Sam is too drunk to really impress Carter and when she meets him in his bedroom, she falls on her heels and into a dresser, once righted, Carter tells Sam that he wouldn't think of being with her and calls her a "two-bagger". Torn up with her self-esteem demolished, she leaves tearful to which many at the party think that Carter raped her.
Because of the embarrassing circumstances, when classmates ask if she's all right, she says fine and when asked if it was true, she nodded. Not understanding that she was nodding in agreement that Carter raped her. But, once the story begins to spread, Sam realizes she can't really turn back and girls are coming to her and confiding in her Carter's less-than-perfect advances. Though Sam has what she wants now, Nick, and she lets the story spiral out of control knowing that she must stop it (and embarrassed since her father is one of the two local police officers).
Carter is ruined though he's certainly no shrinking violet in telling Sam she needs to stop lying and only after a series of events, does Sam finally admit it. A great novel, better than others with a similar theme, because the characters are developed, though actually would have benefited from a more fleshed-out version.
Because of the embarrassing circumstances, when classmates ask if she's all right, she says fine and when asked if it was true, she nodded. Not understanding that she was nodding in agreement that Carter raped her. But, once the story begins to spread, Sam realizes she can't really turn back and girls are coming to her and confiding in her Carter's less-than-perfect advances. Though Sam has what she wants now, Nick, and she lets the story spiral out of control knowing that she must stop it (and embarrassed since her father is one of the two local police officers).
Carter is ruined though he's certainly no shrinking violet in telling Sam she needs to stop lying and only after a series of events, does Sam finally admit it. A great novel, better than others with a similar theme, because the characters are developed, though actually would have benefited from a more fleshed-out version.
September 28, 2011
IN TOO DEEP is a powerful YA that explores the danger of rumors and their lasting affects on people. Grace's novel deeply affected me, and while there were some flaws, they were easy to overlook. I look forward to more from Grace.
Sam isn't perfect. In fact, she is far from that. She is completely humiliated by Carter, and feels broken. But she didn't mean for the false rumors to spread about her being assaulted by Carter. Sure, he is a complete jerk who has no respect for women, but rape is pretty serious. She is so torn about what to do about it, and it only gets worse when Carter's friends begin threatening her.
I felt really bad for Sam. She has such a tough life, and just when things are starting to look up, the false rumors pop up and she fears their consequences. She wants so badly to correct them, but she is already "in too deep" and can't seem to get herself out. I was rooting for things to start going her way. While I did find her annoying at times, I could understand where she was coming from
The pacing of IN TOO DEEP was a bit of a problem for me. I felt like things happened way too fast considering. I don't want to give too much away, but the whole Nick and Sam thing was really weird. They have known each other for so long with nothing, and then it happens??? It just didn't add up for me.
While IN TOO DEEP did have its problems, I enjoyed myself overall. Grace has created a fascinating and relatable storyline that readers out there are sure to gobble up.
Sam isn't perfect. In fact, she is far from that. She is completely humiliated by Carter, and feels broken. But she didn't mean for the false rumors to spread about her being assaulted by Carter. Sure, he is a complete jerk who has no respect for women, but rape is pretty serious. She is so torn about what to do about it, and it only gets worse when Carter's friends begin threatening her.
I felt really bad for Sam. She has such a tough life, and just when things are starting to look up, the false rumors pop up and she fears their consequences. She wants so badly to correct them, but she is already "in too deep" and can't seem to get herself out. I was rooting for things to start going her way. While I did find her annoying at times, I could understand where she was coming from
The pacing of IN TOO DEEP was a bit of a problem for me. I felt like things happened way too fast considering. I don't want to give too much away, but the whole Nick and Sam thing was really weird. They have known each other for so long with nothing, and then it happens??? It just didn't add up for me.
While IN TOO DEEP did have its problems, I enjoyed myself overall. Grace has created a fascinating and relatable storyline that readers out there are sure to gobble up.
July 6, 2012
A ver, me pasó algo muy raro con esta historia, al principio me gustó, y el final también, pero desde el capítulo 3 hasta el 18 más o menos, me pareció aburridísimo, la protagonista se hizo odiar, como va a mentar sobre un asunto TAN pesado?, me parece que la autora no estuvo a la altura de la situación a la hora de desarrollar el relato sobre este tema y eso se notó claramente a la hora de concluir la historia.
January 16, 2012
Well, damn.
*Takes deep breath*
In Too Deep is one of those books where everything goes down hill so fast and the next thing you know you’re scared to read the next sentence in fear things will get even worse and then you just want to curl up in a corner and never pick the book up again but the writings really good and there’s this boy named Nick so you pick it up and keep reading and you just shake your head the whole time and wish you would’ve stayed in that corner.
The beginning of In Too Deep was so adorably perfect. The main character Sam comes up with this half-baked scheme to make her best friend, Nick, jealous. She’s trying to find out if Nick has feelings for her...like more than just friendly feelings for her...yeah, you know the kind! Good intentions, bad...execution.
The way Sam went about everything in this book was so completely wrong. I wanted to reach through the pages and slap some sense into her! She puts this huge lie into circulation because ultimately she just shakes her head in confirmation, even though she doesn't know what she's confirming. When she does find out what she confirmed, she doesn’t even try to set it right...she just...goes along with it. And even when she’s confronted, point blank, by Nick...she doesn’t tell him. WHY!? If she could tell anyone, it’s Nick!! He’s trustworthy and funny and adorable and protective and cute and her best. FREAKING. Friend! What the hell?! I just couldn’t understand her.
She totally ruined this one dude’s reputation. And sure, he was an ass, and he did some rude things to people and I found myself thinking maybe he did deserve This fate. But as I read on...this kid lost everything. His friends, his dignity, respect...so I actually felt really bad for him.
And the whole time I just kept asking myself if people in the real world are really as idiotic and insensitive as Sam? What the HELL was she thinking!? All I wanted was for her to stop being stupid and just TELL THE TRUTH. GAAAH!
Yet. Yet, I think that’s what made this book so damn good. My heart was in my throat the whole time. I was anxious while reading every chapter. I cringed. I swore. I almost cried. Almost. I was literally SCREAMING for Sam to tell the truth!! For her to just TELL NICK. For Nick to trust her, believe her.
The ending of this book was like a kick to the gut. It hurt me to read the last couple of chapters. It seriously made my heart all achy. I felt like I lost something, someone. BUT I'll stop right there before I give anything away!
Overall, In Too Deep was an intense story about what happens not necessarily when you lie, but when you withhold the truth. And boy do the consequences suck. If you like feeling upset and emotional, angry and frustrated, then this book is for you. If you don’t like main characters who make horrible choices and endings that make you do this: O_O !!?! then this book is not for you.
*Takes deep breath*
In Too Deep is one of those books where everything goes down hill so fast and the next thing you know you’re scared to read the next sentence in fear things will get even worse and then you just want to curl up in a corner and never pick the book up again but the writings really good and there’s this boy named Nick so you pick it up and keep reading and you just shake your head the whole time and wish you would’ve stayed in that corner.
The beginning of In Too Deep was so adorably perfect. The main character Sam comes up with this half-baked scheme to make her best friend, Nick, jealous. She’s trying to find out if Nick has feelings for her...like more than just friendly feelings for her...yeah, you know the kind! Good intentions, bad...execution.
The way Sam went about everything in this book was so completely wrong. I wanted to reach through the pages and slap some sense into her! She puts this huge lie into circulation because ultimately she just shakes her head in confirmation, even though she doesn't know what she's confirming. When she does find out what she confirmed, she doesn’t even try to set it right...she just...goes along with it. And even when she’s confronted, point blank, by Nick...she doesn’t tell him. WHY!? If she could tell anyone, it’s Nick!! He’s trustworthy and funny and adorable and protective and cute and her best. FREAKING. Friend! What the hell?! I just couldn’t understand her.
She totally ruined this one dude’s reputation. And sure, he was an ass, and he did some rude things to people and I found myself thinking maybe he did deserve This fate. But as I read on...this kid lost everything. His friends, his dignity, respect...so I actually felt really bad for him.
And the whole time I just kept asking myself if people in the real world are really as idiotic and insensitive as Sam? What the HELL was she thinking!? All I wanted was for her to stop being stupid and just TELL THE TRUTH. GAAAH!
Yet. Yet, I think that’s what made this book so damn good. My heart was in my throat the whole time. I was anxious while reading every chapter. I cringed. I swore. I almost cried. Almost. I was literally SCREAMING for Sam to tell the truth!! For her to just TELL NICK. For Nick to trust her, believe her.
The ending of this book was like a kick to the gut. It hurt me to read the last couple of chapters. It seriously made my heart all achy. I felt like I lost something, someone. BUT I'll stop right there before I give anything away!
Overall, In Too Deep was an intense story about what happens not necessarily when you lie, but when you withhold the truth. And boy do the consequences suck. If you like feeling upset and emotional, angry and frustrated, then this book is for you. If you don’t like main characters who make horrible choices and endings that make you do this: O_O !!?! then this book is not for you.
July 19, 2012
This is the story of a troubled young woman who gets caught up in a web of lies and deceit in an effort to further a romantic relationship with her childhood best friend, Nick Davis. Sam Marshall is a 17 year old high school senior who lives alone with her father. Her relationship with her father is not a loving, supportive one. Her father is a strict disciplinarian who monitors every move she makes. I see her as a girl who has a very low self-esteem and very few friends before the story begins. Sam wants her friend Nick to see her as more than a friend and decides to do this by flirting with one of the most popular boys in school at a party. Sam dresses provocatively for the party and once there she builds up her courage by drinking a lot of alcohol. Unfortunately when Sam approaches Carter Wellesley, he not only laughs in her face, he also belittles her completely. The circumstances of this encounter cause another girl at the party to come to a conclusion that wasn't factual. Sam doesn't realize this until word has spread throughout the school that Carter raped her at the party. The repercussions of this rumor run far and wide. Sam falls deeper and deeper into the deception and cannot figure out how to get out of it even though she knows how wrong it is. Nick has become her protector. Her father is the police chief. The girls at school are seeking her out and inviting her to social activities. How can she tell them all that it was all just one big mistake?
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I didn't like the character of Sam Marshall. She was weak and unwilling to stand up and state the truth. She allowed someone to be accused of a terrible crime when she had firsthand knowledge that it wasn't true. The problem with my feelings about Sam is that I can understand how she got into this situation. She is so insecure and lonely that when people begin to respond to her she feels incapable of telling the truth. The need to feel liked and accepted in high school is a top priority and Sam was feeling that for the first time. This is not one of my favorite books but the topic is an important one.
-Janeth
Content:
Sexual Content: Heavy
Profanity: Heavy
Violence: Mild
Other Notables: Underage drinking/partying
For more details, check out In Too Deep on Parentalbookreviews.com
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I didn't like the character of Sam Marshall. She was weak and unwilling to stand up and state the truth. She allowed someone to be accused of a terrible crime when she had firsthand knowledge that it wasn't true. The problem with my feelings about Sam is that I can understand how she got into this situation. She is so insecure and lonely that when people begin to respond to her she feels incapable of telling the truth. The need to feel liked and accepted in high school is a top priority and Sam was feeling that for the first time. This is not one of my favorite books but the topic is an important one.
-Janeth
Content:
Sexual Content: Heavy
Profanity: Heavy
Violence: Mild
Other Notables: Underage drinking/partying
For more details, check out In Too Deep on Parentalbookreviews.com
June 22, 2012
Thank you, library. I was not expecting you to have this. I guess I'm old fashioned or something because I'm always shocked when a library has a new-ish book! Shocked!
Anyway, this had been on my amazon wishlist ever since I finished But I Love Him last year. I loved that book. It was definitely one of the stand-outs of 2011. Oh, and this was my 100th read of 2012! My goal has been met.
This wasn't as good as But I Love Him but it was still a good read. Basic plot: Sam is in love with her best friend Nick. She decides to try and make him jealous by flirting with a popular boy at their school named Carter. Instead, Carter is an asshole and tells her she's ugly. A girl sees her crying and assumes Sam was raped and before Sam knows it, everyone at her school thinks she was raped by Carter.
This book was pretty believable in how easy it is for a rumor to take over. It's scary how easy it is for the truth to be twisted and how quickly gossip can travel. I also liked how
It was a good read but I didn't love it and I won't be picking up my own copy, as I'd planned. Something about the whole story left me unsatisfied. It was actually a really interesting, thought provoking book but
Overall, it was an interesting, quick read. I didn't love it but I read it in one sitting. I was pretty intrigued by the whole story. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to read a Y.A book about the destructive nature of rumours. Or anyone who loved But I Love Him(which you should read, if you haven't! It's awesome-sauce.)
Anyway, this had been on my amazon wishlist ever since I finished But I Love Him last year. I loved that book. It was definitely one of the stand-outs of 2011. Oh, and this was my 100th read of 2012! My goal has been met.
This wasn't as good as But I Love Him but it was still a good read. Basic plot: Sam is in love with her best friend Nick. She decides to try and make him jealous by flirting with a popular boy at their school named Carter. Instead, Carter is an asshole and tells her she's ugly. A girl sees her crying and assumes Sam was raped and before Sam knows it, everyone at her school thinks she was raped by Carter.
This book was pretty believable in how easy it is for a rumor to take over. It's scary how easy it is for the truth to be twisted and how quickly gossip can travel. I also liked how
It was a good read but I didn't love it and I won't be picking up my own copy, as I'd planned. Something about the whole story left me unsatisfied. It was actually a really interesting, thought provoking book but
Overall, it was an interesting, quick read. I didn't love it but I read it in one sitting. I was pretty intrigued by the whole story. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to read a Y.A book about the destructive nature of rumours. Or anyone who loved But I Love Him(which you should read, if you haven't! It's awesome-sauce.)
May 9, 2012
Samantha has a major crush on her best friend Nick. Too bad that he is so easily distracted by his on-again, off-again girlfriend to take notice of her. Until tonight that is, because Sam has a plan! If only Nick could see her as a desirable girl and not just his friend, maybe their relationship could be something more. And the way to make Nick see her as desirable is to have another guy take notice. In comes Carter. If Sam can get Carter to flirt with her, Nick will have no choice but to take notice. Too bad it doesn’t exactly work out that way.
Somehow Sam’s embarrassing denial from Carter, has been twisted into something much more serious. Can Sam fix it, and does she really want to?
This review may just be a little bit spoilery…. so read at your own risk!
I had a hard time with this story because I was incredibly infuriated with Sam. I could empathize with her and her situation, but accusing someone of rape is pretty darn serious in my book. For Sam to let the rumors and her actions to escalate the way that it did, ugh. Bad Sam!
Nevertheless… I really enjoyed reading this book because of what happened! I loved that it evoked that sort of emotion from me. That is made me feel something so deeply! Those are the types of books that really make an impact. I was so MAD at Sam, and I think as a reader you almost need to be. To watch and learn from her mistakes. Because we all make them. Serious ones and stupid ones. And as long as we learn from them, I think there can be some sort of redemption there. And I felt like that happened with Sam. It might have taken her a little bit longer than I wanted, but it happened and I commend her for that.
My favorite character in this one, had to be Nick. It was devastating to see him so hurt! I wish we could have seen a little bit more resolution with his character.
Despite the serious nature of this book, it was a quick read for me. Amanda Grace tackles yet another serious issue in an information and graceful manner. Can’t wait for more.
Somehow Sam’s embarrassing denial from Carter, has been twisted into something much more serious. Can Sam fix it, and does she really want to?
This review may just be a little bit spoilery…. so read at your own risk!
I had a hard time with this story because I was incredibly infuriated with Sam. I could empathize with her and her situation, but accusing someone of rape is pretty darn serious in my book. For Sam to let the rumors and her actions to escalate the way that it did, ugh. Bad Sam!
Nevertheless… I really enjoyed reading this book because of what happened! I loved that it evoked that sort of emotion from me. That is made me feel something so deeply! Those are the types of books that really make an impact. I was so MAD at Sam, and I think as a reader you almost need to be. To watch and learn from her mistakes. Because we all make them. Serious ones and stupid ones. And as long as we learn from them, I think there can be some sort of redemption there. And I felt like that happened with Sam. It might have taken her a little bit longer than I wanted, but it happened and I commend her for that.
My favorite character in this one, had to be Nick. It was devastating to see him so hurt! I wish we could have seen a little bit more resolution with his character.
Despite the serious nature of this book, it was a quick read for me. Amanda Grace tackles yet another serious issue in an information and graceful manner. Can’t wait for more.
April 19, 2012
This wasn't an entirely horrible book- I'd even stretch to give it 2.5--3 stars.- but, it was just too simple from beginning to end.
Personally, this book just wasn't very unique, interesting or realistic- even though it dealt with a very realistic topic. I'll admit it wasn't the most horrible book ever, there were some pretty good parts, and the subject of how quickly and easily a rumor can spiral out-of-control was a good idea for a book, but it didn't seem to go anywhere unpredictable or surprising.
The main character, Sam irritated me with her choice of decisions and her overall personality, to be quite honest, but all the characters didn't really have too much depth to them overall, whenever they started to it just ended with a cliffhanger type feel. The whole book seemed incomplete, although she finally told the truth, it still felt that there was something missing- even though she did see Carter again-but, it never said anything else about Nick- and although Nick was a good,nice character, the whole falling-in-love with your best friend for twelve years and neither having any idea and it just being the best romance in the entire universe, even though you are in two different social circles seemed a bit cheesy Disney movie to me. Added the fact that she suddenly went from having one single friend to everyone being on her side and basically everyone who is the most popular people in school, begging to be her friend because of a RUMOR just seemed a little pushing it. -
The one thing I didn't get the very most is that adults were not for whatever reason involved- especially since at the graduation ceremony they OBVIOUSLY knew.- An accusation like rape should be seen as a big deal, and the fact no one reported to anyone is just kinda shocking seeing as everyone knew.
No, this isn't a book I'd say "NO DON'T READ IT." but, neither would I say "You have to read it!"
Personally, this book just wasn't very unique, interesting or realistic- even though it dealt with a very realistic topic. I'll admit it wasn't the most horrible book ever, there were some pretty good parts, and the subject of how quickly and easily a rumor can spiral out-of-control was a good idea for a book, but it didn't seem to go anywhere unpredictable or surprising.
The main character, Sam irritated me with her choice of decisions and her overall personality, to be quite honest, but all the characters didn't really have too much depth to them overall, whenever they started to it just ended with a cliffhanger type feel. The whole book seemed incomplete, although she finally told the truth, it still felt that there was something missing- even though she did see Carter again-but, it never said anything else about Nick- and although Nick was a good,nice character, the whole falling-in-love with your best friend for twelve years and neither having any idea and it just being the best romance in the entire universe, even though you are in two different social circles seemed a bit cheesy Disney movie to me. Added the fact that she suddenly went from having one single friend to everyone being on her side and basically everyone who is the most popular people in school, begging to be her friend because of a RUMOR just seemed a little pushing it. -
The one thing I didn't get the very most is that adults were not for whatever reason involved- especially since at the graduation ceremony they OBVIOUSLY knew.- An accusation like rape should be seen as a big deal, and the fact no one reported to anyone is just kinda shocking seeing as everyone knew.
No, this isn't a book I'd say "NO DON'T READ IT." but, neither would I say "You have to read it!"
July 17, 2012
In Too Deep is a very thought provoking, emotional read. It's character driven story line draws you in and keeps you guessing the outcome the whole way through.
Samantha starts off as an easy character to like - but her mistakes quickly make you loathe her but, feel for her at the same time. Her home life isn't prefect so maybe that is why she keeps rationalizing what she has done. In a last ditch effort to make her best friend see her as something other than a friend, she hits on Carter, "manwhore" of her school. She was sure she would be able to use him to make her friend jealous.
Only her plan backfires and when she walks out of the room bruised and crying, the rumors about what happen start flying. At first Samantha plans on correcting the rumors but, when she starts to learn more about Carter the rumor seems more like poetic justice. The school is divided on what really happened that night and it is causing all sorts of problems for Sam and Carter - one thing is clear, Samantha is running out of possibilities.
Fascinating read and although I was hoping for a different ending, I really enjoyed this story. Amanda Grace (Mandy Hubbard) is a seasoned writer and although I enjoy her paranormal fantasies I think her contemporaries are where she really shines as a writer.
Samantha starts off as an easy character to like - but her mistakes quickly make you loathe her but, feel for her at the same time. Her home life isn't prefect so maybe that is why she keeps rationalizing what she has done. In a last ditch effort to make her best friend see her as something other than a friend, she hits on Carter, "manwhore" of her school. She was sure she would be able to use him to make her friend jealous.
Only her plan backfires and when she walks out of the room bruised and crying, the rumors about what happen start flying. At first Samantha plans on correcting the rumors but, when she starts to learn more about Carter the rumor seems more like poetic justice. The school is divided on what really happened that night and it is causing all sorts of problems for Sam and Carter - one thing is clear, Samantha is running out of possibilities.
Fascinating read and although I was hoping for a different ending, I really enjoyed this story. Amanda Grace (Mandy Hubbard) is a seasoned writer and although I enjoy her paranormal fantasies I think her contemporaries are where she really shines as a writer.
September 11, 2011
(Full review to come closer to release)
This one is intense and emotional, and it jumps right into it. A simple misunderstanding, spiraled into something huge, and Amanda nails that hopeless, loss of control feeling so perfectly. Picked apart, sure, any specific motivation in this book might not seem good enough but mounted on top of each other, and it's easy to see why Sam found herself in such a firestorm. Sam has a fantastic overall story arc and development, testing herself and having just the right amount of introspection without being repetitive or overbearing, and she will absolutely make readers understand her. This is a book that will make you feel, and make you think, and with powerful writing, it definitely grabs from page one. There was really only one part of this book that didn't mesh with me towards the end, but everything else that was so great about this book by far overshadows that. With great characters, a vivid realism, and a well built story arc, this is a book that you do not want to miss.
This one is intense and emotional, and it jumps right into it. A simple misunderstanding, spiraled into something huge, and Amanda nails that hopeless, loss of control feeling so perfectly. Picked apart, sure, any specific motivation in this book might not seem good enough but mounted on top of each other, and it's easy to see why Sam found herself in such a firestorm. Sam has a fantastic overall story arc and development, testing herself and having just the right amount of introspection without being repetitive or overbearing, and she will absolutely make readers understand her. This is a book that will make you feel, and make you think, and with powerful writing, it definitely grabs from page one. There was really only one part of this book that didn't mesh with me towards the end, but everything else that was so great about this book by far overshadows that. With great characters, a vivid realism, and a well built story arc, this is a book that you do not want to miss.
March 10, 2012
I have seen so many movies, especially on Lifetime, and even heard some actual stories like the one told in this book. Sam, a high student, is crazy about her best friend, Carter, who is a senior in high school. She has had the biggest crush on him for years, so Sam decides to reveal her true feelings to him at his senior party. It did not turn out as well as she thought, so she is utterly disappointed, hurt, and crying. A girl at the party sees her leave Carter's room in that condition and believes that Sam was raped. A rumor about the event is spread all over school, but Sam has no idea of what is going on. Soon after, other girls begin to come forth and confess that he has done awful things to them as well. Now, Sam is left with the decision of whether or not she should tell what really happened. The ones who believe the story begin to threaten her and make the decision even more difficult. This story proves that people will see something and run with it, even though it may not have been what it seemed to be. We must remember that everyone is guilty until proven innocent.
February 14, 2012
Can I just give an insanely huge thank you to this author for NOT being afraid of her ending? There is very little worse than reading an intensely emotional, painful book and having it end with every single character finding their happy place.
This is NOT that book. This is not a book of sunshine and rainbows but it IS a powerful book with an important message that I think people, especially teenagers, NEED to hear.
Your actions and choices DO matter. They DO make a difference. And staying silent about something important? That IS a choice and it WILL have an impact and you ARE to blame for the result and you DO have to accept the consequences.
GOOD on ya Ms. Grace. You have now become one of my favorite people.
This is NOT that book. This is not a book of sunshine and rainbows but it IS a powerful book with an important message that I think people, especially teenagers, NEED to hear.
Your actions and choices DO matter. They DO make a difference. And staying silent about something important? That IS a choice and it WILL have an impact and you ARE to blame for the result and you DO have to accept the consequences.
GOOD on ya Ms. Grace. You have now become one of my favorite people.
February 8, 2012
The writing was pretty good, and felt true to the adolescent experience, even if some of the characterization was a little simplistic, but I hated the main character so much that I skipped a lot toward the end. There was a point at which she could have backed out with a little honor, and she went way past it. Saying you're sorry kind of loses its impact after you've let the rumor go on for a week. I feel like this book belittles the experience of people who have actually been raped, supporting the idea that anyone can claim to be raped just to get back at someone. So I kind of wanted to punch this book, and can't recommend it.
May 17, 2015
Didn't really care for this one. The premise was ok, and while I found a lot of the emotions to be really well expressed, I found a lot of the characters' actions and reasoning very unrealistic. I found myself feeling really frustrated at the way the story went. Also, I automatically bump a star for the f-word, and it was there plenty towards the end.
October 23, 2012
i was reading and after a while i just got bored with wwhat was happening in the story.
December 18, 2015
Amanda Grace never takes the easy way out in her books and I love her for that.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
September 19, 2016
The ending was really the worst..
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