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Freeing Carter
His whole life Carter’s fought to hold it together: To help Mom run their store. To be there for his special needs sister, Sara, and be the perfect boyfriend Mel wants. To dominate on the basketball court—the only place he ever feels free. And to carry Mom up the stairs when she’s too smashed to make it on her own.
It isn't like she has a problem. Mom loves them. If she doesn't drink every day, she's not really an alcoholic, right?
Wrong.
Then Kira Dawson, a girl with a bipolar wardrobe and rotating hairstyles comes to town. Somehow, she sees the truths he hides from the world. “You have skeletons, too, Carter Shaw. Don’t think I don’t know it.” For the first time, he wants someone to see his inner scars—to really know him.
When his mom finally goes too far, will Carter be able to man-up, even if it means turning his back on her and stepping out from behind the façade he’s fought so hard to keep in place?
It isn't like she has a problem. Mom loves them. If she doesn't drink every day, she's not really an alcoholic, right?
Wrong.
Then Kira Dawson, a girl with a bipolar wardrobe and rotating hairstyles comes to town. Somehow, she sees the truths he hides from the world. “You have skeletons, too, Carter Shaw. Don’t think I don’t know it.” For the first time, he wants someone to see his inner scars—to really know him.
When his mom finally goes too far, will Carter be able to man-up, even if it means turning his back on her and stepping out from behind the façade he’s fought so hard to keep in place?
155 pages, Nook
First published July 17, 2012
20 people are currently reading
3265 people want to read
About the author
Nyrae Dawn
33 books3,912 followersI am a compulsive reader and writer who loves YA fiction.
I love nothing more than writing about young adults. There is something so fresh and fun about it. You can pretty much always find me with a book in my hand or open document in front of me.
I live in Southern California with my husband and two children.
I love nothing more than writing about young adults. There is something so fresh and fun about it. You can pretty much always find me with a book in my hand or open document in front of me.
I live in Southern California with my husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
September 4, 2012
4 ½ Stars…Another winner! Nyrae Dawn has crafted an amazing thought provoking book. She gets into the mind and heart of a teen boy the likes of which I have never read before. One would think that she somehow transformed herself into Carter’s character and then wrote the story while she possessed his soul.
”People think alcoholics are violent. They don't hold down jobs or they're out drinking every night. No offense to the people who believe that, but they don't know jack. Sometimes, people do it to deal. Because fate sat down and decided, 'hey, let's see how much shit we can throw at this person before they break.' Before all the skinned knees and bruised limbs keep them from getting up after one last fall.”
Carter Shaw has a secret and he lies about it, not only to others, but to himself. Lying is a harsh way to put it, but it’s how he sees it. He believes in his heart, that he alone can carry the burden of his mother’s alcoholism; it’s his job to make her better. His only concern in the life at the moment is to keep his family intact and make sure that his sister, a special needs child, is protected and well cared for. However, it’s costing him his youth, affecting his schoolwork, and the possibility of a basketball scholarship. He has the weight of the world on his young shoulders, as his mother doesn’t seek the help she needs to overcome alcoholism and depression she still feels over the death of Carter’s father so many years ago. Carter bottles it all up and is strong for everyone who needs him, but there is no one there for him, or so he believes, until Kira enters his life.
For someone who had such a rough start in life, Kira was very put together. I love how she changed her style, clothes and hair, to try to identify with who she was, but underneath it all she was still Kira. She was comfortable with herself, funny and a true friend to Carter. She made her own way in life, didn’t need a past to identify who she was and Carter is the one who helps her to see that. Kira never judges Carter but stands at his side, supports him, in her quiet confident manner, and allows him to find his way…it was lovely!
Nyrae Dawn tackles the issue of alcoholism head on, but is able to add some romance and humor into the story. It’s told from Carter’s first-person point-of-view, something that this author has mastered, along with her amazing ability to get into the mind of a teen boy. You feel everything that Carter feels, and live vicariously through him, you care about him. Her main characters are always so likeable and she has the reader rooting for the best of outcomes and I think about them long after I’ve turned the last page. Nyrae Dawn is a talent to be reckoned with in the YA genre!
"Carter, the guy with the messy brown hair."
”People think alcoholics are violent. They don't hold down jobs or they're out drinking every night. No offense to the people who believe that, but they don't know jack. Sometimes, people do it to deal. Because fate sat down and decided, 'hey, let's see how much shit we can throw at this person before they break.' Before all the skinned knees and bruised limbs keep them from getting up after one last fall.”
Carter Shaw has a secret and he lies about it, not only to others, but to himself. Lying is a harsh way to put it, but it’s how he sees it. He believes in his heart, that he alone can carry the burden of his mother’s alcoholism; it’s his job to make her better. His only concern in the life at the moment is to keep his family intact and make sure that his sister, a special needs child, is protected and well cared for. However, it’s costing him his youth, affecting his schoolwork, and the possibility of a basketball scholarship. He has the weight of the world on his young shoulders, as his mother doesn’t seek the help she needs to overcome alcoholism and depression she still feels over the death of Carter’s father so many years ago. Carter bottles it all up and is strong for everyone who needs him, but there is no one there for him, or so he believes, until Kira enters his life.
For someone who had such a rough start in life, Kira was very put together. I love how she changed her style, clothes and hair, to try to identify with who she was, but underneath it all she was still Kira. She was comfortable with herself, funny and a true friend to Carter. She made her own way in life, didn’t need a past to identify who she was and Carter is the one who helps her to see that. Kira never judges Carter but stands at his side, supports him, in her quiet confident manner, and allows him to find his way…it was lovely!
Nyrae Dawn tackles the issue of alcoholism head on, but is able to add some romance and humor into the story. It’s told from Carter’s first-person point-of-view, something that this author has mastered, along with her amazing ability to get into the mind of a teen boy. You feel everything that Carter feels, and live vicariously through him, you care about him. Her main characters are always so likeable and she has the reader rooting for the best of outcomes and I think about them long after I’ve turned the last page. Nyrae Dawn is a talent to be reckoned with in the YA genre!
"Carter, the guy with the messy brown hair."
June 19, 2012
This book is SO many kinds of amazing!
I LOVE Carter, love this story SO much.
There's just the perfect amount of sexy, and fun, and touching, and wow... just wow.
Also - my favorite noticing a girl scene EVER.
"I like legs..." look for this.
I LOVE Carter, love this story SO much.
There's just the perfect amount of sexy, and fun, and touching, and wow... just wow.
Also - my favorite noticing a girl scene EVER.
"I like legs..." look for this.
Read
June 19, 2012I love Nyrae and all her boys. This one is raw, while still having those sweet, romantic moments that melt you.
August 6, 2012
I hate to admit it, but sometimes a perfectly good book gets a totally different reaction from me than the reaction I know the author intended. Like Freeing Carter, Carter's story as a guy dealing with his mother's alcoholism is supposed to be sad and emotional, get my sympathy, but for the most part I just didn't feel it. I don't want to sound callous, but I don't like being told how to feel, I like making up my own mind based on the story, and the way Carter just spent most the book telling me how awful his life is, my reaction was more tough for you than oh man that sucks.
Don't get me wrong, Dawn pulls all the right strings for a very emotional book. Carter's dealing with his mother's spiraling alcohol problems, with girlfriend problems of his own, heck with basically his life falling apart, but I just couldn't feel for him. I think it's mainly because Carter's actions didn't really match his words - I get he's ashamed of his mother being an alcoholic yet tired of having to hide it from everyone, but his constant complaining was a huge turn off for me. Not just things he has a right to be complaining about, but stuff like his English grade too; sure, I get he's in a bad mood when his mother's drunk so he might not want to do an assignment or two or five, but dude I didn't need to hear about how English is a complete enigma and totally useless. Carter's neither willing to laugh about it and ignore it nor tough it out and get it done - the whole time he's bitching and pissing me off, I just had one question for him. So what? What are you going to do about it? Keep complaining? Yeah, things suck for him, but it's not like he's doing himself any favors to begin with. And that really killed any sympathy I might've had for him.
Also, the way he blames certain people and lets others easily off the hook, made him seem like a huge hypocrite. Like the whole situation with his girlfriend Melanie, from what I read, looks to me like a case of both people losing interest in each other and starting to drift apart, but of course he casts her as the villain. Yeah, she's shallow and probably wouldn't have cared about his mother's alcohol problems even if he'd told her, not like new girl Kira, but I didn't see how she's guilty of letting their relationship fall apart any more than he is, and the way he just blames her didn't feel right to me. And his grandfather, he's a mean drunk instead of a sorry drunk like Carter's mother, but the way Carter's mostly forgiving of his mother and just hates on his grandfather, I just can't fathom how he can go easy on one alcoholic who's ruining his life while casting all the blame on the other.
Maybe I would've felt differently if things happened that changed my impressions later on in the story. But nothing did, I have to say this was one of the most frustrating books I've ever read because there just wasn't a single moment that I felt Carter manned up and took charge of anything in his life. I know Kira's supposed to be the character that helps him deal with everything, his rock, but Carter really does absolutely nothing except whine about how awful his life his until it longer matters. I'm angry, at his mother for being a neglectful drunk like I'm supposed to, but also at Carter for being such a weak character who neither shoulders his burden in silence nor takes charge of his problems. Instead, he just complains all the time without really doing anything about it to show me why he deserves my sympathy.
I guess I just wish there were more scenes of Carter showing my why his life sucks and what he intends to do about it, but instead I get almost an entire book of his whining which just pissed me off until I just didn't feel like Freeing Carter anywhere resembled a touching story of someone dealing with a family history of alcohol abuse anymore. I'm almost certainly in the minority, but Carter’s story just left me pissed instead of touched.
Don't get me wrong, Dawn pulls all the right strings for a very emotional book. Carter's dealing with his mother's spiraling alcohol problems, with girlfriend problems of his own, heck with basically his life falling apart, but I just couldn't feel for him. I think it's mainly because Carter's actions didn't really match his words - I get he's ashamed of his mother being an alcoholic yet tired of having to hide it from everyone, but his constant complaining was a huge turn off for me. Not just things he has a right to be complaining about, but stuff like his English grade too; sure, I get he's in a bad mood when his mother's drunk so he might not want to do an assignment or two or five, but dude I didn't need to hear about how English is a complete enigma and totally useless. Carter's neither willing to laugh about it and ignore it nor tough it out and get it done - the whole time he's bitching and pissing me off, I just had one question for him. So what? What are you going to do about it? Keep complaining? Yeah, things suck for him, but it's not like he's doing himself any favors to begin with. And that really killed any sympathy I might've had for him.
Also, the way he blames certain people and lets others easily off the hook, made him seem like a huge hypocrite. Like the whole situation with his girlfriend Melanie, from what I read, looks to me like a case of both people losing interest in each other and starting to drift apart, but of course he casts her as the villain. Yeah, she's shallow and probably wouldn't have cared about his mother's alcohol problems even if he'd told her, not like new girl Kira, but I didn't see how she's guilty of letting their relationship fall apart any more than he is, and the way he just blames her didn't feel right to me. And his grandfather, he's a mean drunk instead of a sorry drunk like Carter's mother, but the way Carter's mostly forgiving of his mother and just hates on his grandfather, I just can't fathom how he can go easy on one alcoholic who's ruining his life while casting all the blame on the other.
Maybe I would've felt differently if things happened that changed my impressions later on in the story. But nothing did, I have to say this was one of the most frustrating books I've ever read because there just wasn't a single moment that I felt Carter manned up and took charge of anything in his life. I know Kira's supposed to be the character that helps him deal with everything, his rock, but Carter really does absolutely nothing except whine about how awful his life his until it longer matters. I'm angry, at his mother for being a neglectful drunk like I'm supposed to, but also at Carter for being such a weak character who neither shoulders his burden in silence nor takes charge of his problems. Instead, he just complains all the time without really doing anything about it to show me why he deserves my sympathy.
I guess I just wish there were more scenes of Carter showing my why his life sucks and what he intends to do about it, but instead I get almost an entire book of his whining which just pissed me off until I just didn't feel like Freeing Carter anywhere resembled a touching story of someone dealing with a family history of alcohol abuse anymore. I'm almost certainly in the minority, but Carter’s story just left me pissed instead of touched.
October 2, 2012
No-one and I mean NO ONE writes like a teenage boy like Nyrae Dawn. I'm beginning to think that she was one LOL...
Another awesome book on a teenage boy growing up, dealing with school, friends, girls and family.
Although Carters is different. His Mum is an Alcoholic and his sister has a disability.
This was a heartwarming story. Emotional at times. Funny at times.
Either way it was just beautiful.
If your a YA Fan.. READ.THIS.BOOK.
May 30, 2015
Really enjoyable read! Engaging twist on the popular star athlete meets enigma new girl at school trope in that the problems they have are VERY real. These are smart, mature kids- but not unrealistically so which made the story ring true for me. I felt for Carter...trying to juggle the usual teen pressures of grades and girls while living a secret life as the child of an alcoholic parent. Kira was great as the new girl who is so comfortable in her own skin she defies trends and marches to her own drum...or is she?
Nice pacing, very sweetly romantic. No sex but hey...appropriate for the YR genre. This is one I would allow my girls to read when they are just a bit older.
Nice pacing, very sweetly romantic. No sex but hey...appropriate for the YR genre. This is one I would allow my girls to read when they are just a bit older.
November 14, 2012
I really enjoyed
Freeing Carter
. I especially loved that this book was told from Carter's POV. I love getting the story from a male's perspective.
Carter is THE MAN on the basketball courts, he may even be better than his old man. The court is where Carter feels the most free: from the pressures of his life, to be happy & just to be Carter.
Carter's mom has a drinking problem. His sister has special needs. His girlfriend only cares about her self and is a NUT JOB! His BFF, Travis, has some family issues of his own and is dating NUT JOB'S BFF. Carter's having issues with English and he has to help run his mom's store. Everyone is always taking and needing from him, when will Carter get a break? As Colleen Hoover's Will would say: "Sometimes life gets in your way. It gets all up in your damn way."
-------------- EnTeR--------------> the new girl: KIRA
Kira is definitely unique. She's a bit of a lost soul trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in life. She definitely has a bipolar wardrobe & the ever changing hair color. She's: fun, crazy, smart, loving, helpful, witty and over all just a good person. (Even I would want to be her BFF).
A little bit about the story
Kira meets Carter on her first day of school in English class. She nick names him Sleepy and they form some sort of friendship. She gets Carter deep down as to where no one else understands him, not even Travis. As crazy as her wardrobe is, and her funky hair, Carter can't help but be drawn to this beautiful girl and her quirky ways. She brings in a light that he desperately needs while Travis provides comic relief that Carter definitely needs. Up until Kira arrives on the scene, basketball was the only thing that could free the weight of the world from Carter's shoulders and now, Kira seems to be able to do the same thing. She's unexpected and doesn't act like the normal girls and for Carter, she's a breath of fresh air.
Come read the story of Carter and Kira. In his own way he helps Kira learn about who she is and she is able to draw him in, help him in so many ways, and change his life for the better.
Kira truly FREES Carter.
Carter is THE MAN on the basketball courts, he may even be better than his old man. The court is where Carter feels the most free: from the pressures of his life, to be happy & just to be Carter.
Carter's mom has a drinking problem. His sister has special needs. His girlfriend only cares about her self and is a NUT JOB! His BFF, Travis, has some family issues of his own and is dating NUT JOB'S BFF. Carter's having issues with English and he has to help run his mom's store. Everyone is always taking and needing from him, when will Carter get a break? As Colleen Hoover's Will would say: "Sometimes life gets in your way. It gets all up in your damn way."
-------------- EnTeR--------------> the new girl: KIRA
Kira is definitely unique. She's a bit of a lost soul trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in life. She definitely has a bipolar wardrobe & the ever changing hair color. She's: fun, crazy, smart, loving, helpful, witty and over all just a good person. (Even I would want to be her BFF).
A little bit about the story
Kira meets Carter on her first day of school in English class. She nick names him Sleepy and they form some sort of friendship. She gets Carter deep down as to where no one else understands him, not even Travis. As crazy as her wardrobe is, and her funky hair, Carter can't help but be drawn to this beautiful girl and her quirky ways. She brings in a light that he desperately needs while Travis provides comic relief that Carter definitely needs. Up until Kira arrives on the scene, basketball was the only thing that could free the weight of the world from Carter's shoulders and now, Kira seems to be able to do the same thing. She's unexpected and doesn't act like the normal girls and for Carter, she's a breath of fresh air.
Come read the story of Carter and Kira. In his own way he helps Kira learn about who she is and she is able to draw him in, help him in so many ways, and change his life for the better.
Kira truly FREES Carter.
July 19, 2012
Honestly all I can say is Nyrae Dawn is by all means one of my favorite authors of all times! She has a way with words that I can only idolize. She had me in awe with What a Boy Wants, in tears with What a boy Needs, and completely speechless for Freeing Carter. I love how Nyrae takes on the challenge of writing from a male’s POV, there’s not too many books out there and she speaks volumes through her characters. Each of her characters face important roles, roles that some people butcher when trying to write about, Nyrae however, has the ability to write the truth with no malice.
Carter to me is so unlike what you would consider to be the normal basketball jock, but maybe through his personal dilemmas that’s what makes him so much more than the stereotypical jock. With an alcoholic mother, a sister with down syndrome, Carter feels the need to be the protector of his family, but in doing so he needs an outlet, basketball, but also a relief of some sense of normalcy. He tries to hang on to that normalcy by dating someone who I would consider beneath him, only because I know him now, lol but in reality, he was dating the cheerleader like any normal popular jock would. I mean it has to be written in the laws of high school or something, jocks=cheerleaders…so blasé if you ask me, but that’s what makes the world of high school!
Getting a little off subject here…I immediately loved Kira, not only is her name awesome, but her carefree persona and the colored streaks captivated me. In a way Kira reminded me of myself with always changing my hair color, and boy I don’t even remember what my natural color is lol. Kira was able to be something to Carter that no one else was and vice versa. They helped each other discover who they are and made an amazing team.
Anyways this book is awesome and it would be a mistake not to buy it right now and read it! Nyrae Dawn is an amazing writer and person, so check it out and check out her other books if you haven’t already!
Carter to me is so unlike what you would consider to be the normal basketball jock, but maybe through his personal dilemmas that’s what makes him so much more than the stereotypical jock. With an alcoholic mother, a sister with down syndrome, Carter feels the need to be the protector of his family, but in doing so he needs an outlet, basketball, but also a relief of some sense of normalcy. He tries to hang on to that normalcy by dating someone who I would consider beneath him, only because I know him now, lol but in reality, he was dating the cheerleader like any normal popular jock would. I mean it has to be written in the laws of high school or something, jocks=cheerleaders…so blasé if you ask me, but that’s what makes the world of high school!
Getting a little off subject here…I immediately loved Kira, not only is her name awesome, but her carefree persona and the colored streaks captivated me. In a way Kira reminded me of myself with always changing my hair color, and boy I don’t even remember what my natural color is lol. Kira was able to be something to Carter that no one else was and vice versa. They helped each other discover who they are and made an amazing team.
Anyways this book is awesome and it would be a mistake not to buy it right now and read it! Nyrae Dawn is an amazing writer and person, so check it out and check out her other books if you haven’t already!
July 24, 2012
My Summary:
Carter's senior years is gonna rock! Beautiful girl friend, fab best friend, starting point guard, everything is just about perfect. What? Liar, liar pants on fire. What's up with Mel lately - all they do is fight? Travis has something up he's not talking about and basketball's at risk unless Carter can get caught up in English class. All of that takes a backseat to the real problem in his life - the secret that he protects. He has to protect his mom and his sister. He has to balance it all, man up, handle it alone. Until...truth or dare....until Kira.
My Thoughts:
5 stars - Carter has me crying, laughing and swooning!
Been loving reading from the male POV and this book has that combined with a genuine story that needs to be told. Carter's secret is more than any seventeen year old should have to handle on their own yet a lot of teens still have to. Through Carter, we can see the pain it causes a family. I loved how strong Carter is, how much he cares for and takes care of his sister, how hard he tries to do the right thing even though he doesn't know what that is and how much he grows through the struggles he faces. He is an incredible young man that I would love to call son.
I cannot stand Carter's girl friend, Mel. What a spoiled brat she is. Staying with Carter only for the social reasons, she loses all points in my book pretty darn fast. She gets what she deserves but still doesn't have a clue. I'd feel sorry for her but what would be the point.
Travis, Carter's best friend, is an interesting guy. His life has some issues that he's not sharing which must be some guy thing cause Carter's not sharing either. I did really enjoy their friendship, it sings true.
I feel sorry for Carter's Mom. I can totally see her trying and failing to hold things together. She loves her kids and wants to be better but she just can't. Her character was very real to me.
Kira is awesome! Her hair color changes with her moods as does her clothing style. I loved that. A struggling soul, she is drawn to Carter. Birds of a feather. I loved so much how they supported and helped each other. I loved how Kira was cool with Carter hanging with his friend when Travis was falling apart. I loved how she reacted to Sara, Carter's little sister. This girl had been through pain in her life and understood what was important. Together, Kira and Carter are stronger. I love the cover of this book - Kira and Carter how they most often were.
As you can see, the characters make this story. Not a surprise, given the author. Nyrae's characters always seem to live and breathe for me. But the story is fabulous too. I loved the surprises that always popped up when Kira was around- can you say hot tub? I loved how the events felt real and not forced to make things work. This story works!
If you read YA contemporary, then this book should shoot to the top of your TBR list!
Carter's senior years is gonna rock! Beautiful girl friend, fab best friend, starting point guard, everything is just about perfect. What? Liar, liar pants on fire. What's up with Mel lately - all they do is fight? Travis has something up he's not talking about and basketball's at risk unless Carter can get caught up in English class. All of that takes a backseat to the real problem in his life - the secret that he protects. He has to protect his mom and his sister. He has to balance it all, man up, handle it alone. Until...truth or dare....until Kira.
My Thoughts:
5 stars - Carter has me crying, laughing and swooning!
Been loving reading from the male POV and this book has that combined with a genuine story that needs to be told. Carter's secret is more than any seventeen year old should have to handle on their own yet a lot of teens still have to. Through Carter, we can see the pain it causes a family. I loved how strong Carter is, how much he cares for and takes care of his sister, how hard he tries to do the right thing even though he doesn't know what that is and how much he grows through the struggles he faces. He is an incredible young man that I would love to call son.
I cannot stand Carter's girl friend, Mel. What a spoiled brat she is. Staying with Carter only for the social reasons, she loses all points in my book pretty darn fast. She gets what she deserves but still doesn't have a clue. I'd feel sorry for her but what would be the point.
Travis, Carter's best friend, is an interesting guy. His life has some issues that he's not sharing which must be some guy thing cause Carter's not sharing either. I did really enjoy their friendship, it sings true.
I feel sorry for Carter's Mom. I can totally see her trying and failing to hold things together. She loves her kids and wants to be better but she just can't. Her character was very real to me.
Kira is awesome! Her hair color changes with her moods as does her clothing style. I loved that. A struggling soul, she is drawn to Carter. Birds of a feather. I loved so much how they supported and helped each other. I loved how Kira was cool with Carter hanging with his friend when Travis was falling apart. I loved how she reacted to Sara, Carter's little sister. This girl had been through pain in her life and understood what was important. Together, Kira and Carter are stronger. I love the cover of this book - Kira and Carter how they most often were.
As you can see, the characters make this story. Not a surprise, given the author. Nyrae's characters always seem to live and breathe for me. But the story is fabulous too. I loved the surprises that always popped up when Kira was around- can you say hot tub? I loved how the events felt real and not forced to make things work. This story works!
If you read YA contemporary, then this book should shoot to the top of your TBR list!
September 12, 2012
Nyrae has this amazing talent to craft stories that are so beautifully meaningful. Freeing Carter is no different. It's more than a story of a boy falling in love. It's story of the lengths people will go to take care of their family. The lengths people will go just to fit in and feel like they belong. The lengths people will go to hide the dangers they have to deal with.
Carter Shaw is good at hiding himself. His mother is an alcoholic and Carter constantly is helping her and hiding it in the process. He watches out for this younger sister Sara. He dates Mel because he can, because she makes him feel more normal than ever. Carter also owns the basketball court... what he's good at, his release. Then Kira Dawson enters his life and she makes him question his decisions. Makes him question his choices and what he's worked so hard to hide. It's not one-sided though. Kira wants to know who she is and Carter just may be the person to help her.
I really enjoy how Nyrae can take issues and turn them into beautiful stories. We've all been there where we do things just to feel normal. Where we do things we may not really want to just to fit in. Where we hide things that we don't want people to see. And most of the time all it ends up doing is hurting ourselves. Carter is that guy in this story. He's good-looking, popular, a guy everyone loves. Yet behind those smiles is a boy with a hidden home world. I loved how much Carter looked out for his family, only a person with a heart like Carter's would take on so much. Watching him meet Kira and finally start to crack made me love him even more. He's strong and he makes the decisions that have to made, not always the ones that he wanted to make. And, I admired him for it.
The issues in this book are written so well. It centers around alcoholism and figuring out who you are. Yet, Nyrae doesn't make the alcoholism freighting... she puts a loving face on it. A face you would never want to believe has gone too far. It was different than the drunks you normally imagine and that made me love this book so much more because alcoholism hits home with me. Overall, this book was a fantastic read and if you're thinking about reading it... definitely give it a shot.
Carter Shaw is good at hiding himself. His mother is an alcoholic and Carter constantly is helping her and hiding it in the process. He watches out for this younger sister Sara. He dates Mel because he can, because she makes him feel more normal than ever. Carter also owns the basketball court... what he's good at, his release. Then Kira Dawson enters his life and she makes him question his decisions. Makes him question his choices and what he's worked so hard to hide. It's not one-sided though. Kira wants to know who she is and Carter just may be the person to help her.
I really enjoy how Nyrae can take issues and turn them into beautiful stories. We've all been there where we do things just to feel normal. Where we do things we may not really want to just to fit in. Where we hide things that we don't want people to see. And most of the time all it ends up doing is hurting ourselves. Carter is that guy in this story. He's good-looking, popular, a guy everyone loves. Yet behind those smiles is a boy with a hidden home world. I loved how much Carter looked out for his family, only a person with a heart like Carter's would take on so much. Watching him meet Kira and finally start to crack made me love him even more. He's strong and he makes the decisions that have to made, not always the ones that he wanted to make. And, I admired him for it.
The issues in this book are written so well. It centers around alcoholism and figuring out who you are. Yet, Nyrae doesn't make the alcoholism freighting... she puts a loving face on it. A face you would never want to believe has gone too far. It was different than the drunks you normally imagine and that made me love this book so much more because alcoholism hits home with me. Overall, this book was a fantastic read and if you're thinking about reading it... definitely give it a shot.
July 20, 2012
I finished this book more than 24 hours ago, and I still cannot figure out what to write for this review. I try really hard to never include spoilers, and this book is so good I do not want to spoil anything for anyone that has yet to read it.
Yet it is so hard to find a way to explain how darn good, how important, how real, and how heart-rending this book actually is without doing so. If you have substance abuse issues, if someone in your family does, if a friend does, you need to read this book. If you love stories that are as real as your own, read this book.
Ms., Dawn had already written two wonderful books, and I was already impressed with her talent. This book ups things to an entirely different level. I've found a lot of good authors on Goodreads, but there are four who should be internationally famous. Nyrae Dawn, Tamarra Webber, Stephanie Campbell, and Collen Hoover may all be classified as Young Adult Fiction, but in reality they are writing some of the best modern literature in the world today. Great stories that contains great truths. Books that can and will change lives. This book is one of those.
Spoiler Warning: A Quote from the book that rings like a bell in my consciousness.
"People think alcoholics are violent. They don't hold down jobs or they're out drinking every night. No offense to the people who believe that, but they don't know jack. Sometime, people do it to DEAL. Because fate sat down and decided, 'Hey, let's see how much shit we can throw at this person before they break.' Before all the skinned knees and bruised limbs keep them from getting up after one last fall."
Nyrae Dawn from FREEING CARTER
Yet it is so hard to find a way to explain how darn good, how important, how real, and how heart-rending this book actually is without doing so. If you have substance abuse issues, if someone in your family does, if a friend does, you need to read this book. If you love stories that are as real as your own, read this book.
Ms., Dawn had already written two wonderful books, and I was already impressed with her talent. This book ups things to an entirely different level. I've found a lot of good authors on Goodreads, but there are four who should be internationally famous. Nyrae Dawn, Tamarra Webber, Stephanie Campbell, and Collen Hoover may all be classified as Young Adult Fiction, but in reality they are writing some of the best modern literature in the world today. Great stories that contains great truths. Books that can and will change lives. This book is one of those.
Spoiler Warning: A Quote from the book that rings like a bell in my consciousness.
"People think alcoholics are violent. They don't hold down jobs or they're out drinking every night. No offense to the people who believe that, but they don't know jack. Sometime, people do it to DEAL. Because fate sat down and decided, 'Hey, let's see how much shit we can throw at this person before they break.' Before all the skinned knees and bruised limbs keep them from getting up after one last fall."
Nyrae Dawn from FREEING CARTER
July 15, 2014
This was such an engrossing read and so well done. It felt smart and even though the romance kind of takes second place to all the stuff that is going on with Carter, it was enough to feed my romance soul
Carter is a high school senior whose mother is an alcoholic. He is a mass of emotions. He loves her but he hates her. He is ashamed that she drinks. She isn't really a visible drunk and she isn't abusive or anything, so they manage to hide it, somewhat. But Carter feels the burden of it all. Of keeping his mother's alcoholism a secret,of trying to keep his younger sister from knowing, of trying to keep his mother from inadvertently harming her.
The only time he feels any sense of freedom is when he is playing basketball. And when he meets the new girl, Kira. Kira is a free spirit who changes her look and hair like a chameleon. She is funny and smart and she comes along at just the right time.
This book is told in Carter's first person POV and his voice was very vibrant. I loved Carter. I wanted to reach into the book and give him a big old hug. He needed it bad. I also loved him and Kira together. They were sweet and awesome.
BTW, I like the new cover of the book 1000 times better than the previous one. It feels more right for the story. The previous book looked like an adult romance and seriously, the girl on the cover is a racefail. No way was that chick could pass for the primarily African-American Kira.
My Full Review Here
Carter is a high school senior whose mother is an alcoholic. He is a mass of emotions. He loves her but he hates her. He is ashamed that she drinks. She isn't really a visible drunk and she isn't abusive or anything, so they manage to hide it, somewhat. But Carter feels the burden of it all. Of keeping his mother's alcoholism a secret,of trying to keep his younger sister from knowing, of trying to keep his mother from inadvertently harming her.
The only time he feels any sense of freedom is when he is playing basketball. And when he meets the new girl, Kira. Kira is a free spirit who changes her look and hair like a chameleon. She is funny and smart and she comes along at just the right time.
This book is told in Carter's first person POV and his voice was very vibrant. I loved Carter. I wanted to reach into the book and give him a big old hug. He needed it bad. I also loved him and Kira together. They were sweet and awesome.
BTW, I like the new cover of the book 1000 times better than the previous one. It feels more right for the story. The previous book looked like an adult romance and seriously, the girl on the cover is a racefail. No way was that chick could pass for the primarily African-American Kira.
My Full Review Here
August 24, 2012
Freeing Carter is simply amazing. Carter is admirable. He possess such courage and an undying love for his mom and little sister, Sara. I love the way he is with Sara. No little girl could ask for a better big brother. Carter has the weight of the world on his shoulders and he has to hide it from everyone. His only release is basketball, and even that could be taken away...
He's intrigued by the new girl in town. Kira is unique and says things that leave him baffled. Suddenly he doesn't feel like such a great "actor" because Kira seems to see right through him. She is like a balm to his wounds.
Alcoholism is a difficult topic for many people, myself included. The author did a fantastic job of intimately describing the feelings of someone caught in the wave of a loved one's decision to drink. You will ache for Carter, his mom, and Sara.
This book should not be missed.
He's intrigued by the new girl in town. Kira is unique and says things that leave him baffled. Suddenly he doesn't feel like such a great "actor" because Kira seems to see right through him. She is like a balm to his wounds.
Alcoholism is a difficult topic for many people, myself included. The author did a fantastic job of intimately describing the feelings of someone caught in the wave of a loved one's decision to drink. You will ache for Carter, his mom, and Sara.
This book should not be missed.
April 27, 2018
There are a ton of addiction stories out there in YA. What I loved about Carter was that it wasn't the usual angry, screaming, abusive drunk parents...but rather, a subtle sort of addiction that has spiraled out of control before anyone realized it. It's about a boy, and a girl, but most of all...a family who wants to keep it together.
August 10, 2012
Carter is hiding things from his friends, a side of him he doesn’t want them to see. He doesn’t want them to see the Carter that takes care of a drunken mom late at night. He wants them to see ‘normal Carter’; the one who has a beautiful girlfriend, the one who loves basketball more than anything. But things are starting to slowly fall apart for him. And all it takes is a free spirited girl named Kira to shake up his world and show him he doesn’t have to hide…that he can be free.
I am not sure I have ever read a book with a male POV throughout the entire book. I liked it though. Nyrae did an awesome job making Carter sound convincingly enough like a guy should sound…not at all what I am used to with some female authors. Sometime they make the guys sound robotic or nothing at all male. But I fell in love with Carter from the beginning.
What I loved about the book was the author took something like alcoholism and shined a light right in its ugly face. She didn’t sugarcoat it and make it something cute and fun. She showed what a lifetime of it can do to a person, to a family. The pain it brings to a family and the repercussions.
But Nyrae also showed us that all it takes is one person to open your eyes and show you the world doesn’t have to be at all like you make it. It can be beautiful and free of restrictions. And I am not just talking about Kira opening Carter’s eyes…but also the other way around. Kira is trying to find out who she is among the world…and Carter may be just the guy to help her along the way to finding herself.
Freeing Carter is a real quick read that had me hooked from the beginning…when I see how devoted Carter is to his mom. It’s hard not to like him when he is such a good kid. I spent all of my free time reading it, eager to know what would happen between Carter and Kira. And when I finished it I knew I had to read more of Nyrae’s work.
Fave quotes....
*****************************************************************************
“It’s no longer a game. The second she started this truth, I knew that. We really are baring our souls and if there’s anyone I want to show what’s inside of me, it’s her.”
******************************************************************************
“I like you”. Another one of my truths.
“I like you, too. Truth or Dare?” she asks. And I know this is enough truths for one night. That we both need a break just to be.
“Dare.”
“I dare you to kiss me.”
I am not sure I have ever read a book with a male POV throughout the entire book. I liked it though. Nyrae did an awesome job making Carter sound convincingly enough like a guy should sound…not at all what I am used to with some female authors. Sometime they make the guys sound robotic or nothing at all male. But I fell in love with Carter from the beginning.
What I loved about the book was the author took something like alcoholism and shined a light right in its ugly face. She didn’t sugarcoat it and make it something cute and fun. She showed what a lifetime of it can do to a person, to a family. The pain it brings to a family and the repercussions.
But Nyrae also showed us that all it takes is one person to open your eyes and show you the world doesn’t have to be at all like you make it. It can be beautiful and free of restrictions. And I am not just talking about Kira opening Carter’s eyes…but also the other way around. Kira is trying to find out who she is among the world…and Carter may be just the guy to help her along the way to finding herself.
Freeing Carter is a real quick read that had me hooked from the beginning…when I see how devoted Carter is to his mom. It’s hard not to like him when he is such a good kid. I spent all of my free time reading it, eager to know what would happen between Carter and Kira. And when I finished it I knew I had to read more of Nyrae’s work.
Fave quotes....
*****************************************************************************
“It’s no longer a game. The second she started this truth, I knew that. We really are baring our souls and if there’s anyone I want to show what’s inside of me, it’s her.”
******************************************************************************
“I like you”. Another one of my truths.
“I like you, too. Truth or Dare?” she asks. And I know this is enough truths for one night. That we both need a break just to be.
“Dare.”
“I dare you to kiss me.”
September 11, 2012
This review is also posted on my blog at:
Kala's Book Blog
I originally rated this 3 stars after reading, but after giving it some thought I bumped it up to 4. I really liked this book.
Carter, the main character, has so much to deal with. His mom is an alcoholic who struggles hard with her inner demons. His little sister, Sara, has special needs and he struggles to help her and deal with his mom. He also has grown apart from his girlfriend and knows their relationship is no longer a good thing, but hesitates to break things off.
A new girl, Kira, moving to town jump starts a change in his life that brings all of these struggles to a head and helps Carter start to deal with all the bad in his life.
Kira is an awesome character. She's smart, funny, eccentric, confident. I like that she has the cajones to wear what she wants and do crazy stuff with her hair. I like that she doesn't care about conforming to the popular standard. I like that she is pretty and knows it, but isn't conceited about it either.
Carter was a bit on the wussy side at first, but I think throughout the novel he grows up a lot and learns that he has to actually deal with his issues - he can't ignore them and shove them in a closet forever. For a long time he has lied about her disease and tried to hide it. When it starts spiraling out of control to the point where it effects his little sister, he finally realizes he can't keep hiding it and does the right thing.
This author is really really talented and has a knack for creating realistic characters that you really grow to care about throughout the book. She also creates diverse characters of different backgrounds and ethnicities without making it feel like non-white people are thrown in as token characters. I've read all of her books now and love most of them. She's definitely on my auto-buy list at this point. :)
Kala's Book Blog
I originally rated this 3 stars after reading, but after giving it some thought I bumped it up to 4. I really liked this book.
Carter, the main character, has so much to deal with. His mom is an alcoholic who struggles hard with her inner demons. His little sister, Sara, has special needs and he struggles to help her and deal with his mom. He also has grown apart from his girlfriend and knows their relationship is no longer a good thing, but hesitates to break things off.
A new girl, Kira, moving to town jump starts a change in his life that brings all of these struggles to a head and helps Carter start to deal with all the bad in his life.
Kira is an awesome character. She's smart, funny, eccentric, confident. I like that she has the cajones to wear what she wants and do crazy stuff with her hair. I like that she doesn't care about conforming to the popular standard. I like that she is pretty and knows it, but isn't conceited about it either.
Carter was a bit on the wussy side at first, but I think throughout the novel he grows up a lot and learns that he has to actually deal with his issues - he can't ignore them and shove them in a closet forever. For a long time he has lied about her disease and tried to hide it. When it starts spiraling out of control to the point where it effects his little sister, he finally realizes he can't keep hiding it and does the right thing.
This author is really really talented and has a knack for creating realistic characters that you really grow to care about throughout the book. She also creates diverse characters of different backgrounds and ethnicities without making it feel like non-white people are thrown in as token characters. I've read all of her books now and love most of them. She's definitely on my auto-buy list at this point. :)
October 22, 2012
I love books from the guy's pov and Carter was great. Nyrae does a wonderful job writing from the male's pov. Carter was living the 'perfect' life as a high school senior; basketball star, popular girlfriend etc. What people don't know is that he is living with an alcoholic mother, a sister with downs syndrome, failing english and just tolerating his girl. He feels the pressure coming from all sides but has no one to talk to not even his best friend Travis. When the new girl Kira comes in to his life and starts working at his mom's store things start to change. I really liked Kira. She was just what Carter needed. This was a really sweet book and I'm glad things turned out the way they did.
October 1, 2012
This is a pretty realistic tale of a teen struggling with the right thing to do when it comes to his alchoholic mother. A young man who loves his mother and his little sister desperately and tries for their sake to maintain some semblence of normalcy at the expense of his own happiness. I love how this book deals with how he comes to terms with the fact that he can no longer enable his mother, with the help with a very vibrant girl who has issues that she needs to work thru as well. I love that he begins to realize that what he has been doing in the long run with affect his little sister "twig" and that in the end, he does what is needed to make a happy life for himself and his family.
August 3, 2012
Nyrae Dawn makes it into my top three favorite authors. I expected a lot from this book because What A Boy Wants/What A Boy Needs were so good and this book didn't let me down! The reason I love Nyrae Dawn books so much is that I love how she writes from the guy perspective, I wish more books were like hers.
July 21, 2012
**4.5 stars** Another winner from Nyrae Dawn! I love her writing and I how I feel so connected to her characters, both the main & secondary ones. This book makes you feel all kinds of emotions. That is a sign of a great book to me, when I'm so invested in the story and I really care about what happens with the characters. Great read!
July 27, 2012
I really enjoyed this story. Not only because the characters were so fab but because it was such a realistic representation of how alcoholism can effect a family. I admit to bawling my eyes out in the last chapter. Nyrae Dawn is a wonderful storyteller who I will continue to keep an eye on. This is my second read by her and it won't be the last. sniff....
August 11, 2012
I enjoyed this book very much. "What a Boy Wants" is still my favorite, hence the 4 star rating not 5. She does an amazing job writing from the boys POV. Very refreshing. Carter is a very likable character. Kira reminded me a lot of "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinnelli. I like for "Stargirl" characters in among all the real teens I meet.
I would highly recommend this book. Nyrae Dawn does it again.
I would highly recommend this book. Nyrae Dawn does it again.
July 30, 2012
No one captures the teenage boy quite as well as Nyrae Dawn. This is a heartwarming story with the perfect mix of emotions. LOVED!
August 14, 2012
Read this and other reviews at Madison Says.
This was not the first book I read by Nyrae Dawn. I had first come across this author when I read What a Boy Wants and What a Boy Needs. She’s so incredibly talented when it comes to writing from the boy’s perspective. It’s quite remarkable actually.
I was really looking forward to reading Freeing Carter for a number of reasons. One of those was again, to read exclusively from the boy POV, but also because it dealt with the subject of alcoholism and the effects it takes on a family. What I really appreciated about the take Ms. Dawn had on this was that for the most part, Carter’s mother, Delilah was “not an alcoholic,” meaning that by the societal definition of the word, she didn’t fit in that cookie cutter box.
"People think alcoholics are violent. They don’t hold down jobs or they’re out drinking every night. No offense to the people who believe that, but they don’t know jack. Sometimes, people do it to deal. Because fate sat down and decided, ‘hey, let’s see how much shit we can throw at this person before they break.’ Before all the skinned knees and bruised limbs keep them from getting up after one last fall."
Carter seems like a pretty regular high school senior – hot, popular girlfriend, star of the basketball team, promising future, great best friend – but at home, things are close to falling apart. His father died when he was younger, and was his mother’s one true love. After a failed second marriage, and another child – who has Down’s Syndrome, his mother copes by drinking. She doesn’t do it all the time and she doesn’t do it when his special needs sister is around. But Carter is left to pick up the pieces and keep her drinking a secret. They never discuss her drinking after it happens; she just acts guilty and remorseful and they sweep it under the rug. I so appreciate the love that Carter has for not only his mother (although he does start to feel resentment for her, which he hates) and especially his younger sister. He goes to such lengths to protect, shield and care for her. It was so heartwarming to experience this kind of love!
Carter decides he no longer wants to live the life he’s supposed to be pretending to live – and in comes Kira Dawson. I LOVED KIRA. She was such a refreshing character. She is smart, witty, strong and Carter definitely met his match with her.
"I’m caught in this weird place where I want to tell her where she can stick it, but I suddenly want to kiss her, too."
After shedding the dead weight of his girlfriend, Carter gives in to the undeniable pull he feels from Kira. Together, they are able to wade through their issues together. He learns she is much more lost than she lets on, and she gets to see into his life a little bit. They are able to lean on each other in a way that neither of them have ever experienced with anyone else – and because of that, they learn more about themselves and how to handle their lives. Loved seeing their connection and watching their love develop. It had the perfect mix of sweet and sexy moments.
"You have skeletons, too, Carter Shaw. Don’t think I don’t know it. I think…I think people with secrets, or with a past, I guess I should say, I think we’re kindred spirits. Like maybe we see something in each other that no one takes the time to see."
This story is a wonderful, sexy, smart and most of all inspiring and touching story about overcoming loss, and in spite of that loss, finding love and a connection with someone. I love how through all the bad, there is good. It is realistic and it’s relatable. I feel like many people, younger and older alike, will be able to find something in this story that can help them. Even if it’s just to keep going – or maybe shine some light on a situation in their own life that might need addressing.
I highly recommend this story – and give it 4 stars. I look forward to reading more from Nyrae Dawn in the future.
This was not the first book I read by Nyrae Dawn. I had first come across this author when I read What a Boy Wants and What a Boy Needs. She’s so incredibly talented when it comes to writing from the boy’s perspective. It’s quite remarkable actually.
I was really looking forward to reading Freeing Carter for a number of reasons. One of those was again, to read exclusively from the boy POV, but also because it dealt with the subject of alcoholism and the effects it takes on a family. What I really appreciated about the take Ms. Dawn had on this was that for the most part, Carter’s mother, Delilah was “not an alcoholic,” meaning that by the societal definition of the word, she didn’t fit in that cookie cutter box.
"People think alcoholics are violent. They don’t hold down jobs or they’re out drinking every night. No offense to the people who believe that, but they don’t know jack. Sometimes, people do it to deal. Because fate sat down and decided, ‘hey, let’s see how much shit we can throw at this person before they break.’ Before all the skinned knees and bruised limbs keep them from getting up after one last fall."
Carter seems like a pretty regular high school senior – hot, popular girlfriend, star of the basketball team, promising future, great best friend – but at home, things are close to falling apart. His father died when he was younger, and was his mother’s one true love. After a failed second marriage, and another child – who has Down’s Syndrome, his mother copes by drinking. She doesn’t do it all the time and she doesn’t do it when his special needs sister is around. But Carter is left to pick up the pieces and keep her drinking a secret. They never discuss her drinking after it happens; she just acts guilty and remorseful and they sweep it under the rug. I so appreciate the love that Carter has for not only his mother (although he does start to feel resentment for her, which he hates) and especially his younger sister. He goes to such lengths to protect, shield and care for her. It was so heartwarming to experience this kind of love!
Carter decides he no longer wants to live the life he’s supposed to be pretending to live – and in comes Kira Dawson. I LOVED KIRA. She was such a refreshing character. She is smart, witty, strong and Carter definitely met his match with her.
"I’m caught in this weird place where I want to tell her where she can stick it, but I suddenly want to kiss her, too."
After shedding the dead weight of his girlfriend, Carter gives in to the undeniable pull he feels from Kira. Together, they are able to wade through their issues together. He learns she is much more lost than she lets on, and she gets to see into his life a little bit. They are able to lean on each other in a way that neither of them have ever experienced with anyone else – and because of that, they learn more about themselves and how to handle their lives. Loved seeing their connection and watching their love develop. It had the perfect mix of sweet and sexy moments.
"You have skeletons, too, Carter Shaw. Don’t think I don’t know it. I think…I think people with secrets, or with a past, I guess I should say, I think we’re kindred spirits. Like maybe we see something in each other that no one takes the time to see."
This story is a wonderful, sexy, smart and most of all inspiring and touching story about overcoming loss, and in spite of that loss, finding love and a connection with someone. I love how through all the bad, there is good. It is realistic and it’s relatable. I feel like many people, younger and older alike, will be able to find something in this story that can help them. Even if it’s just to keep going – or maybe shine some light on a situation in their own life that might need addressing.
I highly recommend this story – and give it 4 stars. I look forward to reading more from Nyrae Dawn in the future.
August 23, 2012
Nyrae Dawn has done it again! She never ceases to amaze and astound me with her beautiful and mesmerizing writing, her ability to enchant with any story, and the way she can move me with every character she creates.
Freeing Carter was just so intense with heavy issues, drama, and heartache. Everything in this book just really pulls at all the heart strings and the whole story really stays with you. What I loved about this book was how real, raw and true it was. Nyrae Dawn just tells it straight, she doesn’t sugar-coat Carter’s issues and she really brings out the best and worst when facing such serious topics.
Carter was a remarkable character. My heart shattered piece by piece having to read all that he goes through. In the beginning, Carter kept a wall up to ward people off from his imperfections and problems at home. For a long time he’s been struggling to save face and to keep up pretenses and hide away the secrets that seem to tear him down nearly everyday. Carter also struggles with guilt for being angry at his mother for drinking her pain away. Even though he feels this way, Carter was a great son and brother. He has so much on his plate, but he still manages to think of his mother and sister first, putting their care above all else. Because of this, I saw Carter as a person who is caring and unselfish. He’s cocky sometimes, but he’s so sweet. He’s a great guy at heart despite all the demons he faces every single day. I found him to be truly strong and brave, especially when he decided to do the right thing in the end.
When he meets Kira, bits and pieces of my broken heart were put back together. I was so glad that Carter found someone to confide in; someone that he can let in through all his barriers. Kira was a different girl, someone Carter has never encountered before. She’s cool and spunky and she seems to really get Carter. Most of all, she sees through his facade of perfection to the real Carter behind it all. And Carter is really drawn to this eccentric girl. He’s intrigued and fascinated all the same. I loved watching them fall in love because I could see how good Kira was for Carter and vice versa. I see how free-spirited Kira was and how she didn’t care what anyone thought of her. I was glad that Carter was the same way, loving Kira no matter what his classmates said. I was absolutely taken with their relationship. They were such an unforgettable couple.
The ending of the book was probably my very favorite part because it was a realistic ending that rang true to the story and the characters and it ended on a note of happiness, change and hope for the future to come.
Overall, Freeing Carter was just plain beautiful.
More Reviews on my blog: Words, Pages, and Books
Freeing Carter was just so intense with heavy issues, drama, and heartache. Everything in this book just really pulls at all the heart strings and the whole story really stays with you. What I loved about this book was how real, raw and true it was. Nyrae Dawn just tells it straight, she doesn’t sugar-coat Carter’s issues and she really brings out the best and worst when facing such serious topics.
Carter was a remarkable character. My heart shattered piece by piece having to read all that he goes through. In the beginning, Carter kept a wall up to ward people off from his imperfections and problems at home. For a long time he’s been struggling to save face and to keep up pretenses and hide away the secrets that seem to tear him down nearly everyday. Carter also struggles with guilt for being angry at his mother for drinking her pain away. Even though he feels this way, Carter was a great son and brother. He has so much on his plate, but he still manages to think of his mother and sister first, putting their care above all else. Because of this, I saw Carter as a person who is caring and unselfish. He’s cocky sometimes, but he’s so sweet. He’s a great guy at heart despite all the demons he faces every single day. I found him to be truly strong and brave, especially when he decided to do the right thing in the end.
When he meets Kira, bits and pieces of my broken heart were put back together. I was so glad that Carter found someone to confide in; someone that he can let in through all his barriers. Kira was a different girl, someone Carter has never encountered before. She’s cool and spunky and she seems to really get Carter. Most of all, she sees through his facade of perfection to the real Carter behind it all. And Carter is really drawn to this eccentric girl. He’s intrigued and fascinated all the same. I loved watching them fall in love because I could see how good Kira was for Carter and vice versa. I see how free-spirited Kira was and how she didn’t care what anyone thought of her. I was glad that Carter was the same way, loving Kira no matter what his classmates said. I was absolutely taken with their relationship. They were such an unforgettable couple.
The ending of the book was probably my very favorite part because it was a realistic ending that rang true to the story and the characters and it ended on a note of happiness, change and hope for the future to come.
Overall, Freeing Carter was just plain beautiful.
More Reviews on my blog: Words, Pages, and Books
December 13, 2012
I honestly don't know what it was about this book. I didn't want to continue it yet a needed to finish it. I felt like it wasn't as good as the previous books I've read by Nyrae, yet it was so good in it's own way. I was torn and confuse. I was like "This book is so.. blah" But in the same breath, I'd be thinking about it ALL the time when I couldn't read it. No joke.
Carter was amazing in his own right. It's so hard to find a real man like him with such devotion and loyalty (hence why am sure most of us turn to books to get lost in their world, heh). He went through alot of things, no 17yr old had to go thru, and even when his silence, his mind is saying one thing, his action shows another and it just express how big his heart is. His first is always family no matter what - even when things began to crumble around him, with his no good gf, he still didn't give a fuck... his mind was always with his family. I love that he was more in need for what the thought of a gf gives him - normalcy - rather than actually losing her personally and specifically. He was and is just so amazing.
Even more amazing and free when he's in his zone - which is basketball. When he's on the court, everything is shaken off of him, the weight, the worry, the problems - everything. For that short time on the court, the ball doing whatever he commands it, he is in every sense free. It's where he has control and he grasp it with enthusiasm. I love him for that. For giving it all, being so selfless and never expecting much. Even when he's playing ball, he plays for his sis... he scores for her... at the end of the day - it was all for his family - everything he do. How can one not love Carter for who he is and how he is?
His relationship with the new girl was natural, effortless.. and so, he was falling even before he knew it and when he did realize it - he didn't care. Because that was one normal he didn't have to work for. Such normalcy was never suppose to be an overbearing job and with Kira - he got that, and more.
This book is amazing in it's own right. It wasn't the best from Nyrae to me but sometimes it's not about the book or what one should expect... it's about the STORY...and theis story was real, deep and affected me in more ways than i'd be willing to admit. The characters were relatable... even the vapid ones because I could have always linked them with someone in my life. And I guess because of that, it was why I love the book yet didn't like it all in one.
It was real... and that's why I'm always so addicted to Nyrae's writing and will always give her books a chance <3
Carter was amazing in his own right. It's so hard to find a real man like him with such devotion and loyalty (hence why am sure most of us turn to books to get lost in their world, heh). He went through alot of things, no 17yr old had to go thru, and even when his silence, his mind is saying one thing, his action shows another and it just express how big his heart is. His first is always family no matter what - even when things began to crumble around him, with his no good gf, he still didn't give a fuck... his mind was always with his family. I love that he was more in need for what the thought of a gf gives him - normalcy - rather than actually losing her personally and specifically. He was and is just so amazing.
Even more amazing and free when he's in his zone - which is basketball. When he's on the court, everything is shaken off of him, the weight, the worry, the problems - everything. For that short time on the court, the ball doing whatever he commands it, he is in every sense free. It's where he has control and he grasp it with enthusiasm. I love him for that. For giving it all, being so selfless and never expecting much. Even when he's playing ball, he plays for his sis... he scores for her... at the end of the day - it was all for his family - everything he do. How can one not love Carter for who he is and how he is?
His relationship with the new girl was natural, effortless.. and so, he was falling even before he knew it and when he did realize it - he didn't care. Because that was one normal he didn't have to work for. Such normalcy was never suppose to be an overbearing job and with Kira - he got that, and more.
This book is amazing in it's own right. It wasn't the best from Nyrae to me but sometimes it's not about the book or what one should expect... it's about the STORY...and theis story was real, deep and affected me in more ways than i'd be willing to admit. The characters were relatable... even the vapid ones because I could have always linked them with someone in my life. And I guess because of that, it was why I love the book yet didn't like it all in one.
It was real... and that's why I'm always so addicted to Nyrae's writing and will always give her books a chance <3
July 19, 2015
Carters mother is alcoholic and he is the one who takes care of her.His father died from heart attack and that's the reason his mother drinks.His little sister Sara has the Down Sydrome and needs to been take care of.His realtionship with Mel is practicly over but they dont admit it.His English grade is low and the teacher threats Carter that if he doesnt do his homework she will talk to the coach to take him of the basketball team.Basketball is the one thing he loves more than his family and distracts him from reality.So basicaly his life is shit.
Then he meets the new girl in school Kira.Kira changes her hair colour like some people change shirts has different style every day and a bright smile for Carter.Carter is having fun when he is with her and she makes him forget his problems.As the books proceeds Carter breaks up with Mel,gets a better grade at English,his basketball team wins,his relationship with Kira becomes more romantic and his mother sobers up.But the last doesn't last long.On his father's death anniversary his mother drinks again and that's the last drop for Carter.He admits his mother's problem and everything becomes better since he finally gets free.
The book was very good,but honestly in one little point I was wondering why the book wasnt coming to an end.After 10-20 pages it started getting interesting again so it deserves 5 stars.The story was good and I like the books were the hero gets free from his demons so the book got more points with that.
It was interesting to see a boys POV for a change and I was glad he wasn't thinking boobs,asses,hot chicks when he wasn't worried about something.
Quote time:
“I have to bite my lip not to lean down and kiss her. God, I want to kiss her so bad”
"Her eyes don't leave her book, but I see her smile. It's like the inside of my chest hiccups or something at the sight.”
“My arm itches to reach up and wrap around her. To pull her closer, but can we get closer? Right now she might be closer to me than anyone's ever been."
Then he meets the new girl in school Kira.Kira changes her hair colour like some people change shirts has different style every day and a bright smile for Carter.Carter is having fun when he is with her and she makes him forget his problems.As the books proceeds Carter breaks up with Mel,gets a better grade at English,his basketball team wins,his relationship with Kira becomes more romantic and his mother sobers up.But the last doesn't last long.On his father's death anniversary his mother drinks again and that's the last drop for Carter.He admits his mother's problem and everything becomes better since he finally gets free.
The book was very good,but honestly in one little point I was wondering why the book wasnt coming to an end.After 10-20 pages it started getting interesting again so it deserves 5 stars.The story was good and I like the books were the hero gets free from his demons so the book got more points with that.
It was interesting to see a boys POV for a change and I was glad he wasn't thinking boobs,asses,hot chicks when he wasn't worried about something.
Quote time:
“I have to bite my lip not to lean down and kiss her. God, I want to kiss her so bad”
"Her eyes don't leave her book, but I see her smile. It's like the inside of my chest hiccups or something at the sight.”
“My arm itches to reach up and wrap around her. To pull her closer, but can we get closer? Right now she might be closer to me than anyone's ever been."
August 6, 2016
Well this book covered more than I thought it was, firstly it was the synopsis that grabbed me and drew me in and reading the first few pages didn't deter me, in fact it made me want to read more which is when I know it's a good book.
Carter is like most teenage boys, full of testosterone a mass of hormones and confusion and like most teenagers he's hiding secrets but not from his parents, from everyone about his parent, he's protecting and looking after his alcoholic mother whilst dealing with his little sisters care and his own angst at school and home life and so many times in this book I thought he was going to have a nervous breakdown or something but he didn't. He seemed to keep everything together but that came at a price for him, he seemed to lose a lot of what being a teenager is about, being carefree having fun, flirting partying and even achieving in school until he found Kira. Kira was his saving grace, his own little light of hope.
Kira, well from the moment she was first described I liked her she's not afraid to be who she wants to be no matter what people thought or that's the perception we are given, what with her purple/orange or is it blue today hair. But underneath all that she's struggling just as much but she's not hiding it, she's trying to work through it and find herself and find out where she came from. The courage she showed Carter and the care and jokes she shared with him even when he was being a pain was pretty amazing and made her feel more mature than your typical teenager.
Overall I liked this story a lot more that I thought I would it touched a lot of taboo topics and how people dealt with things in certain ways that it became so relateable.
Carter is like most teenage boys, full of testosterone a mass of hormones and confusion and like most teenagers he's hiding secrets but not from his parents, from everyone about his parent, he's protecting and looking after his alcoholic mother whilst dealing with his little sisters care and his own angst at school and home life and so many times in this book I thought he was going to have a nervous breakdown or something but he didn't. He seemed to keep everything together but that came at a price for him, he seemed to lose a lot of what being a teenager is about, being carefree having fun, flirting partying and even achieving in school until he found Kira. Kira was his saving grace, his own little light of hope.
Kira, well from the moment she was first described I liked her she's not afraid to be who she wants to be no matter what people thought or that's the perception we are given, what with her purple/orange or is it blue today hair. But underneath all that she's struggling just as much but she's not hiding it, she's trying to work through it and find herself and find out where she came from. The courage she showed Carter and the care and jokes she shared with him even when he was being a pain was pretty amazing and made her feel more mature than your typical teenager.
Overall I liked this story a lot more that I thought I would it touched a lot of taboo topics and how people dealt with things in certain ways that it became so relateable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2012
Possible spoilers
I liked everything about this book. I very seldom vote five stars, unless it completely covers everything I'm looking for in a book of a certain genre.
This romantic teenage YA perfectly describes hard hitting issues which people from all walks of life have to live with. It's insightful and accurately depicts the thoughts and feelings of an eldest son of an alcoholic, and that of a young woman who knows nothing of her birth parents, where she comes from, who she is. It also covers,amongst other things, effects divorce has on a teenage boy, perfectly spot on. The author has done her homework. Thoroughly.
Carter wants "normal". A normal family, a normal schooling, a normal relationship with his girlfriend, normal teenage hood. Kira wants to know who she is. This is their journey to that place they want to be within themselves.
I love her writing style and how nothing is rushed or skimmed over and that there were no loose ends. Where there is no definite, visible resolution in one case, this is how Carter tells us it's ok to not know everything:
".........He's eighteen. We’re all still trying to find out who we are. I don’t think we can always have the answers. Or maybe some of us do and some of us don’t. That’s life. I have no doubt he’ll find his way and be okay........"
It's also a cute read with a gorgeous hero and heroine, so I also had lots of fun reading it. It's not all dark and has manyyyyyy lighthearted moments, quirky thoughts and witty comebacks - these are teenagers after all. Cute and sexy and romantic and age appropriate.
I liked everything about this book. I very seldom vote five stars, unless it completely covers everything I'm looking for in a book of a certain genre.
This romantic teenage YA perfectly describes hard hitting issues which people from all walks of life have to live with. It's insightful and accurately depicts the thoughts and feelings of an eldest son of an alcoholic, and that of a young woman who knows nothing of her birth parents, where she comes from, who she is. It also covers,amongst other things, effects divorce has on a teenage boy, perfectly spot on. The author has done her homework. Thoroughly.
Carter wants "normal". A normal family, a normal schooling, a normal relationship with his girlfriend, normal teenage hood. Kira wants to know who she is. This is their journey to that place they want to be within themselves.
I love her writing style and how nothing is rushed or skimmed over and that there were no loose ends. Where there is no definite, visible resolution in one case, this is how Carter tells us it's ok to not know everything:
".........He's eighteen. We’re all still trying to find out who we are. I don’t think we can always have the answers. Or maybe some of us do and some of us don’t. That’s life. I have no doubt he’ll find his way and be okay........"
It's also a cute read with a gorgeous hero and heroine, so I also had lots of fun reading it. It's not all dark and has manyyyyyy lighthearted moments, quirky thoughts and witty comebacks - these are teenagers after all. Cute and sexy and romantic and age appropriate.
November 11, 2012
Sometimes teenagers carry too much on their shoulders. Their forced to deal with burdens that are not theirs. It's make them grow up too fast and creates bitterness in their hearts for having something forced on them too fast, too young. This story is amazing!
What I loved about this story, is the plot. Carter is a faced with a home life that is starting to show. He can't fake his facade any more. And just when he is about to break down he meets Kira. A happy go-lucky gal who can without a doubt, see right through him. I loved that the plot never sways from the importance of Carter finding the truth. He does his best to put it "out of sight,out of mind." But it always comes back to haunt him.
The love interest is Carter's coping mechanism It reminds Carter of who he is really is and what he should be doing. Kira touches his heart in ways the were never before. She brings peace to him when he needs an escape. And she is first and foremost his friend. Even though she knew from the beginning what Carter is hiding, she doesn't push him but slowly brings him to recognition of what he must do. It's like she was he guardian angel, bring him to the light. Beautiful yet, amazing.
Freeing Carter is another great debut that you can not miss. It's brings such a heart-breaking situation to light, slowly tearing down every wall that Carter created. Freeing Carter is an amazing yet true scenario of what some teens experiences. Teens are too busy trying to save others, when teens just need someone to saves them as well. Impossible to turn away, Freeing Carter is flawless.
What I loved about this story, is the plot. Carter is a faced with a home life that is starting to show. He can't fake his facade any more. And just when he is about to break down he meets Kira. A happy go-lucky gal who can without a doubt, see right through him. I loved that the plot never sways from the importance of Carter finding the truth. He does his best to put it "out of sight,out of mind." But it always comes back to haunt him.
The love interest is Carter's coping mechanism It reminds Carter of who he is really is and what he should be doing. Kira touches his heart in ways the were never before. She brings peace to him when he needs an escape. And she is first and foremost his friend. Even though she knew from the beginning what Carter is hiding, she doesn't push him but slowly brings him to recognition of what he must do. It's like she was he guardian angel, bring him to the light. Beautiful yet, amazing.
Freeing Carter is another great debut that you can not miss. It's brings such a heart-breaking situation to light, slowly tearing down every wall that Carter created. Freeing Carter is an amazing yet true scenario of what some teens experiences. Teens are too busy trying to save others, when teens just need someone to saves them as well. Impossible to turn away, Freeing Carter is flawless.
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