The Deepest Blue

by Kim Williams Justesen

Mike hasn’t spoken to his mother in years, and what few memories he has of her are painful. When Mike’s dad is killed in a car wreck, Mike wants to stay in his hometown and live with Maggie, his dad’s girlfriend, who has been like a mother to him for the last five years. But Mike’s mother reappears in his life and demands that he return to her custody and live on the other side of the country with a family he doesn't know. The law is on his mother’s side, and Mike will have to grow up quickly and take on the legal system to have the life he wants.

This deeply moving story of a young teen's difficult family relationships reflects the reality of many children and teens with strong emotional ties to adults who have no legal rights in the instance of death or divorce.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

275 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2013

About the author

Kim Williams Justesen, a Salt Lake City native, was one of those kids whose mom had to come in and take the flashlight away so she would stop reading and go to sleep. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English/Theater from Westminster College, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. After spending 12 years in the advertising and public relations field, writing everything from safety brochures and earthquake preparedness video scripts, to press releases for injection molded plastics companies and bank employee benefits information, Kim decided to try it on her own. Her first book, an adult nonfiction self-help book, was coauthored in 1998 and continues to sell via the internet even today. She has had both fiction and nonfiction, children and adult books published ranging from humor, to paranormal, to horror in genre.

Kim has taught English, Writing, and Humanities classes at various local colleges for the past 15 years. She served as the Utah/So. Idaho chapter Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for five years, and has been actively involved in a number or writing organizations including the League of Utah Writers, SCBWI, and the Author’s Guild. You can learn more about her at her web site and blog:

www.kwjustesen.com

http://about.me.kim_justesen

www.wordpress.com/kwjwrites (blog)

Reviews

[Liza Wiemer]

THE DEEPEST BLUE kept me engaged. It's a fast read filled with heartache and an authentic perspective that YA understand what makes a family and that many are capable of making decisions based on what's best for them, even when they makes mistakes.

The cover - I love it. It fits this novel perfectly.

The story:
Maggie was truly a special character, one that I deeply admire. I loved that this is a first person narrative told by Michael's perspective. My heart absolutely broke when Michael lost his father. The description of the grief was incredibly authentic. I was totally engrossed by the entire process. The relationship between Michael and Maggie is a remarkable one, before and after their lives are shattered. I'd describe their relationship as honest, difficult, filled with love, kindness, grief, and respect.

There was only one character that stood out as a contrast to the others in this novel, and that was Michael's girlfriend Rachel. I have two sons and I would never want a girl like that for either one of them. She's confusing, needy, and doesn't have a clue on what it truly means to be in love. Not a healthy person for Michael. He tries so hard to be a good guy for her, even though he needs her to be more. She's not really capable of it. I don't think we can blame her. She has her own problems and her own limitations and she does the best that she an under the circumstance. If there ever were to be a sequel to this book, I hope that Rachel would mature in a healthy, positive way or that Michael comes to the conclusion that, without some major growing up, she's the wrong girl for him. This is not a negative. Boys need to read about needy girls and stay clear. Girls need to read about needy girls and not be one! From my perspective, it's clear that the author did this purposefully and authentically. I commend "Rachel" for giving Michael space when he needed it, even though she seemed a little pushy when she didn't get her way - like wanting to go to the movies when he was grieving the loss of his father. The dichotomy between Rachel's immaturity to Michael's maturity is obvious.

Here are the things that I found powerful about THE DEEPEST BLUE:
1. The relationship that Michael had with his father and Maggie.
2. Maggie's courage to take on a teen and choose to become his family.
3. Chuck - the lawyer. He's a good man. He truly wants what's best for Michael.
4. The descriptions of the Michael's father's boat and deep sea fishing were fantastic. I had no problem visualizing anything in this novel, including the home Michael lived in with his dad.
5. The grief. Portrayed in a very real way.
6. The custody battle for Michael. So painful.
7. The community support for Michael was truly special.
8. The intensity of Michael's emotions.

Overall conclusion: Powerful, emotional, heartbreaking, validating that YA have the power to think for themselves.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is told in the first person present Point of View of a 15 year old boy, and it is convincingly done. Another review called the writing melodramatic and boring, with certain plot points either not fully developed or rushed through. Mike can be a little melodramatic at times. He is also impulsive. He makes bad decisions. He can be selfish. Please, point me out a teenager who isn't all of those things at some point. The important thing to keep in mind is that this narrator is a teen. A teen wouldn't have intricate knowledge of the legal system, nor would he take the time to fully explore every facet of his current situation. I also highly doubt he would be an expert in Borderline Personality Disorder, and not a lot goes into his relationship with his mother because there is no relationship with his mother. Information is left out because, due to the POV, if Mike isn't told the information, then the reader has no way of getting that information either. He is also going to focus on the most important thing to him at any given moment while glossing over other things, if not outright ignoring them. This is a Young Adult novel, and I think Justesen plays well to her intended audience. Adults wanting sophisticated prose aimed at adult readers should choose a book written for adults as the intended audience. I really liked the way the book would appeal to both male and female readers, and I will be passing it along to my own teenaged son to read.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, melodramatic, and over written. What could have been a good story about a teen dealing with a parent with Boarderline Personality Disorder is instead a hodgepodge where characters are never fully fleshed out and the legal plot is rushed and sloppy.

[Wisterious Woman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Any book that brings tears to my eyes usually gets 4 stars.
Those of us that have 'bad' mothers with personality disorders know that blood ties mean nothing. The book gives a good look at this: what does it mean to be a parent? How do you let a child know that you love him?
I was so envious of the close relationship Mike had with his dad. My dad died when I was in high school but I wasn't left with years of happy memories because he was sick for a long time. I felt I could love Mike's dad along with him and grieve his dad as well. That is that powerful thing that a good author can do --make you feel a part of the character.
Mike probably threw up more times than I want to read about--but it showed the tension he was under. I went to court as a teen and remember desperately running to the toilet. So I feel she honestly does bring a sense of reality to her subject matter. There are plenty of teen readers that are going through difficult family issues that will appreciate this book. A horrible event can cause a person to react psychologically, physically and spiritually. The reader is led through this process as Mike is struggling to keep his head above water.
Having raised a boy I know they often don't have the answers--something doesn't always connect in the brain. When they say 'I don't know' it might be the truth. Mike wants a relationship with Rachel but is confused by her teenage-girl behavior and his own feelings. She pushes the relationship making him back off more. His friends might not understand but he just can't hang out like he did before. No one ever knows what is the right thing to do when someone dies but maybe this book will give teens a chance to think about it. So many authors would have handled it differently. Bravo for not having Mike drown out his sorrows with sex.
This book has likeable characters and an affirmative message. Something you can't always find these days.

[Steven Donahue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A person’s teenage years are difficult enough under the best of circumstances, but when an adolescent has to deal with the death of a parent, the struggles are intensified exponentially.

Such is the case for Michael Wilson, a 15-year-old North Carolinian whose seemingly idyllic life takes a sudden, tragic turn when his father is killed in a car accident. Author Kim Williams Justesen’s novel The Deepest Blue masterfully delves into the mind of the confused, angry teen with emotional prose that is accessible to both teen and adult readers.

The story opens with Wilson enjoying his Atlantic Coast lifestyle. His works with his father on their charter boat, the Mighty Mike, during the summer months, hangs out with his friends during his off-hours, and enjoys a close relationship with his father’s long-time girlfriend, Maggie. Wilson’s biological mother is no longer in his life, but the teen has come to terms with that.

Wilson’s father finally decides to pop the question to Maggie, but Fate intervenes and the teen suddenly finds himself dealing with tremendous grief and an uncertain future. He asks Maggie to adopt him and she gladly agrees to do so. But a dark cloud appears when Wilson’s biological mother shows up with plans to take him back to Seattle with her. Not wanting to leave his home, Wilson engages in a legal battle to stop the woman he hardly knows from uprooting him.

This beautifully-written story tackles the legal and emotional battles that Wilson faces, while providing surprising plot twists that keep the pages turning. I recommend this novel for both teen and adult readers, for there is much to be enjoyed in this heart-breaking and poignantly-fulfilling story.

[Queenielyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Actual) Rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Deepest Blue is another random book that I've picked up from the library. I didn't expect the tragic lost. The heartache that cause the characters to grief as well as their current obstacles that comes after, is inevitable.

Mike has struggled through days of exhaustion and worrying the life he will have ahead of him. I could see he was truly challenged at such early stage of his life. I sympathized with him through the entire book as it reflects the problems compared to my own problems are much more manageable than his. He has a strong conviction of what he says and do of the most important to him. I like Mike for it, which I would want to acknowledge because I sometimes have no confidence in what I do. He demonstrated it well, that I was inspired by him. What he want is carefully considered and simply to put it that he's rational towards his current situation.

I had no difficulty and no other way of saying how I absolutely encourage readers to pick this book up. It speaks of having to move forward in life even when things are not in our favor. At times, we may forget that there's still life and it couldn't be always the way we wanted things to happen. There are people who cares about the same feelings we may be going through. We just have to be still.

The Deepest Blue leaves the readers a wide range possible conclusions. Take note of the relevant and meaningful quotes because I was moved by them. Hopefully, it does the same to y'all! Made me think deeper and ponder. It depicts an illegible, a realistic and believable plot that have you gripping your heart as you follow the flow of the story.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read The Deepest Blue via Tanglewood Press and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion of the book.

The Deepest Blue is the story of a teenage boy, struggling to make sense of his profound loss and his unresolved feelings about his absent mother. When 15 year old Mike's father dies in an automobile accident, the mother who he has not seen for 10 years attempts to take him away from his home and his father's intended fiancé. In a fight against a legal system that takes heavily into account a parental plea for custody, will Mike lose his entire support system in one fell swoop?

The premise of the book, especially in regards to the legal system of this country that does not often listen to the minor's wishes, was compelling. This book falls short, however, in the dialogue and some of the side plots. The issues that Mike has with his girlfriend, and the melodramatic way that she handles certain situations, did not seem all that realistic. The dialogue seemed forced in places, as though the author tried too hard to get the point across. I do like the fact that Mike is a strong, well poised, and mostly mature teenager, as many books do not portray young men in this light. The Deepest Blue was a miss for me, but readers who enjoy YA realistic fiction may enjoy this book.

[Shawna Briseno · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley:
Wow! How refreshing to read such a good book geared toward young adults, especially young males. I was invested in this book and its characters from beginning to end. When Mike's dad dies unexpectedly, he is forced to confront his long-absent mother who suddenly wants to be part of his life after many years. The author does an excellent job of making the reader feel the closeness of Mike's relationship with his dad nd then the pain he feels after losing his father. All of the teen characters in the story can be seen as positive role models for young adults which can be hard to find in today's world. I would highly recommend this book to anybody interested in young adult books but especially teenage males.

[Mayra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart wrenching, yet soothing. Page-turner. The grief captured in the main character's reaction to his father's untimely death is unforgettable, while the support his father's girlfriend provides keeps us grounded. The plot did not follow the path I thought it would take and I am glad for it. A very believable story with a YA audience. Thank you NetGalley for an advance reading.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong story of a teenage boy fighting to maintain his life in the face of tragedy. I like the way the reader had the opportunity to see how comfortable Mike was in his life before his loss. The beach town setting is well described,becoming an integral party of the story. I was hooked on the first page, interested in fully drawn characters worth reading about.

[Kristen Landon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, thought-provoking book.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 3 out of 5]

And what do I get for not reading the blurb? I get tears, that's what I get.

This book begins with Mike enjoying his summer in a small seaside town. He's working on the boat with his dad, going to the arcade with his friends, struggling a little with his girlfriend - normal teenage life. Then, on what should be a happy trip, his father is killed in an accident. This is where the tears began. The relationship Mike shared with his father was very special. The love between them jumped off the page, and I really mourned his loss and shared Mike's pain.

As he is reeling from the loss of his father, Mike's estranged mother wants to drag him across the country to live with her. This triggers memories from his early childhood, most of which paint a negative picture of his mother. Some of his memories were very painful to read, and my heart broke many times as Mike had to relive those terrible moments.

The standout parts of this book were:
1. Mike: he was forced to grow up earlier than some of his peers. With the apparent loss of his mother and then the loss of his father, he had to face many truths that other teens his age do not. His pain was so real too. As I had mentioned previously, my heart ached for him.

2. The relationship between Mike and his dad: The bond between these two was very special, and the love was obvious. In addition, there was a great deal of respect between these two. A very positive and beautiful relationship.

3. The relationship between Maggie and Mike: When it seemed as though he'd lost everything, Maggie, his father's almost fiancee, maintains her role as Mike's "mom". They both mourn together, heal together, and support each other. Maggie loved Mike and valued him as well. You could tell by the way she treated Mike - she was firm, honest and openly loving. She filled that mom-void for over five years and stayed when she could have left.

Overall, very emotional read, which kept my interest.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like everybody else, you assume your voice is important, and that’s how 15 year old Mike felt until one devastating day. When his Father is suddenly taken from his life, Mike thinks his only problem would be to cope with his death, but he was wrong. Instead, he finds himself in court- fighting with his voice to decide his own fate, but will his voice even matter because in the eyes of the judge he is only a kid.

The Deepest Blue by Kim Williams Justesen, gives the inside view of a child facing the court system over parental custody issues, besides dealing with his life and clingy girlfriend. It is a touching story, as the pain of Mike’s loss is evident through the first-person perspective. But the story is not all sad, as sometimes in the hardest situations a bright light comes out of it, which proves true for Mike as he finds he has Maggie to lean on in his time of need.

It is a quick and easy read, as once you pick it up you feel so bad for Mike you just have to continue to read to find out. The book is definitely appealing to those who like fishing, or anything related to a boat, as it plays an essential role in Mike’s life throughout.

For Mike, going to court to fight for his life is harder than he imagined. Not only does he have to face someone from his dark past- his Mother, but he has to hear cruel things said about his Dad, and force his anger not to show. Will Mike be able to prove to everyone that he deserves what he wants even though he is a child or will the court system rule against him? To find out, you will need to acquire your own copy and read up!

Originally posted at: http://www.teenink.com/reviews/hot_ne...
Free advanced reader copy received from TeenInk in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Tanglewood Press and Netgalley.

The Deepest Blue is one of those heart breaking stories that will leave you with a whole bunch of different emotions. It's about loss, love, forgiveness and family. I went into this book thinking it was going to be very predictable, but it wasn't at all what I was expecting. I really enjoyed this story, despite the fact that it kept making me want to cry!

Mike is a normal teenage boy. He has friends, a girlfriend, and a great relationship with his dad and his dad's girlfriend. His mother left when he was younger, but Maggie filled the role as Mike's mother early on, and he never felt that he was without a mom. But then Mike's dad dies in a car accident. The author did such an amazing job with this. Though I have never experienced a death of a parent, I felt like I was living it right along with Mike. His pain was so real and raw, and to add insult to injury, his mother wants custody of him. Something that Mike will fight at all costs.

I really liked the character of Mike. In so many stories today, the main character deals with his pain through having sex with every girl he meets. I was happy that Mike wasn't like that. He dealt with his feelings in a much more realistic way. Mike is very relatable and easy to connect with.

I assumed that the story was going to start with the death of his father. But we got about five chapters showing Mike's relationship with his dad. His dad was so good and supportive and it made losing him so much worse for Mike and for the reader.

I really enjoyed The Deepest Blue and I highly recommend it!

[Jack Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posted originally on www.derpyreviews.blogspot.com! Go there for giveaways, author interviews and more!


The Deepest Blue
By: Kim Williams Justesen
Review by: Derpy
Publisher: Tanglewood
Page count: 275

Mikes life is close to his imagination of perfect, his dad and him work as charter fishermen for tourists, and Mike gets great pay from that. He has his money saved up for college and has a great girlfriend, but all girls can cause drama. And his dad is getting ready to possibly marry his girlfriend who has been like a mom for the past five years of his life. Mike doesn't see his mother ever. His parents divorced when he was young and any memories he has of her are not good ones. But when Mikes dad dies in a car accident, his mom wants him for the first time, but Mike doesn't want her. Join Mike and his fight for control of his life against his birth mother.

Just reading this book caused me heart pain. I'm not a guy who gets sad over movies and stuff, but this book made me mad, or just upset over the legal system our country runs on. It was a great realistic fiction book, it may just be that I endured a family death recently but it seems like a very normal grieving process and pretty realistic. Great story line!
I would recommend this book to...

Anyone who likes Realistic Fiction
Someone who is looking for a shorter single book (not a series)
Anyone looking for a good read
I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy, from the publisher. By the time you read this, this book will be available for purchase here or here.
Thank you for reading!

[Mrs. Kenyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years ago, Mike and his father left his mother and started a new life. He has had little contact with her during this time and he is happily making plans for his future. When his father is killed in a car accident, Mike plans to stay in his hometown and live with his dad’s girlfriend, Maggie. That begins to look like an unlikely option when his mother demands that she have custody and wants Mike to move across the country to live with her new family. The law is on his mother’s side, but Mike is not willing to just roll over. He petitions the courts to give Maggie guardianship which would allow him to stay with the friends he has made.

The Deepest Blue is a heartfelt story about a teen dealing with hard family issues. Boys and girls will both relate to the heartbreak and sorrow that Mike experiences. As a teen, the reader will begin to wonder what would happen to them if their custodial parent was no longer in the picture. As an adult, the reader wonders what they should do to protect the children in their lives. Justesen wonderfully brought these troubling issues of divorce and death into a great read. Whether you are looking for a realistic read or are looking for an emotional read, this is a great book to pursue.

[Janessa H 1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Deepest Blue, by Kim Williams Justesen, is a book about a sixteen year old boy, who had his father taken from him in a car accident. He wants to live with Maggie, his father’s girlfriend, who has been a mother to him for the last five years. He and his dad left their home in Washington, and Julia, who was nothing more than a monster than a mother. They left and went to North Carolina where their new home was made. In a turn of events Julia shows up back in his life, after his father is taken. He hasn’t spoken to Julia in years, and what very few memories he has of her are painful. When Mike’s mother reappears and demands custody of him, and wants him to move across the country to live with his family he doesn’t know. This is a moving story about how teen’s don’t have a say in whether or not they live with who they want with death or divorce. This book is about what a teen’s life is like when something happens, and they have no control over what they get to do with their life’s. It kinda makes them feel like they are living the life but other people are telling them what to do and how to do it. I think it would be a lot to handle, with all the emotions going through your head, and just wanting to get away from everyone and everything.

[Juletta Gilge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well guys, this one was just not my cup of tea. I couldn't get into the plot, couldn't really relate to the characters, didn't particularly enjoy some of the characters (let's be honest....it was one very specific female side character, you know who I mean). Not for me man...



Overall, this one was just a dud for me. The book was well-written, well thought out, and easy to read, and I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who would enjoy it. I'm just not one of them.

Check out the full review here

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart-wrenching story where Mike, age 15, deals with the untimely death of his father. Beside mourning the loss of his dad, Mike has an intense custody battle ahead. His mother, whom he has not spoken to in years, wants to take him back to Seattle. Mike, however, feels that Maggie, his father's girlfriend and would-have-been fiancee, is more of a mother to him than his biological mom and fights to keep his life and friends in North Carolina. Author does a good job of depicting the raw, honest feelings of a grieving teen.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was poignant. All too recently, I went through the death of a loved one who was also unexpectedly taken. I could tell that Ms. Justensen has been through the grieving process as well, and I was able to have a strong connection with her main character, Mike. There were times when I felt a little lost in the day to day moments, but once Mike's mother comes into the picture the novel really takes off.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional and heartbreaking read for me.
It's about a boy who lost his father and tries so hard to overcome the loss of his father.
The middle of it was boring but towards the end was good.
I really liked the ending of this novel. :)
But I probably won't read it again, because it was very emotional.

[Elizabeth Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved that the dad wasn't the bad guy in this book! This book tore at my heartstrings and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Review for the Deseret News here: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/86...

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A senior in high school must learn to cope when his father is killed by a drunk driver and his estranged biological mother reappears to claim parental rights. He is guided by those who love him as well as his own common sense though grief sometimes clouds his judgement.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic voice, good plot. Some issues with spelling, punctuation.

Full review on Booklikes.

[Isabelle]

Looks like its gonna be kinda boring

[Derpy Team · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon. Coming sooner with sweet giveaways on : www.derpyreviews.blogspot.com

[Hannah Cary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very suspenseful and keeps you interested.