Angry: A Novel with Bonus Content

by Laura L. Smith

Have you ever done anything you've regretted?



At the time it might have felt like a chance worth taking, it might have seemed like the only way out or maybe it was something you felt you deserved. But later, maybe years or the next week or the morning after your decision, you regretted your action, or your choice not to act, and its consequences.



In my new novel, Hot, Lindsey has always planned on saving herself, even wanted to wear a purity ring, but she is smitten with her boyfriend, Noah, who seems to understand her when no one else does. Everywhere she turns, the world tells her sex is not only okay, but it is romantic and thrilling. Well, everywhere seems to tell her that except for the Bible, but it was written thousands of years ago, right?



The problem is, with sex there are no do-overs. Once you've had it, you are no longer saving yourself for anyone or anything. The saving is over, or is it?



In Hot, you will follow Lindsey down her road of indecision and witness the consequences of her choices. You will also see God's amazing grace offered to her, if only she is willing to reach out to Him.

Genres: Christian, Young Adult, Christian Fiction

159 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2014

About the author

Laura L. Smith lis a best-selling author and speaker. She loves Jesus, her husband, her four kiddos, music,books, coffee, France, and chocolate. Smith lives in the college town of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Now that Eponine is dead, my anger has died with her."

Pretty much sums up the book. Anger is a pervasive force that seeps in and infects every part of our being. We need to turn it over to God, whether we are justified in that anger, or not.

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good YA novel that realistically portrays a teen struggling with her parents' divorce.

[Sally]

Just two tiny nitpicks, I promise:

-Emma throws a punch on the cover but nowhere in the book? I'm sure even the most Christian of readers would forgive her for waylaying into her scumbag adulterous father.

-so we're all just going to ignore the left-dangling plot thread that Emma's mother has become an alcoholic? Okaaaay...

[Deidra Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Series

If you are looking for a quick read this is it! I just wish that they stories were longer and that there was more!

[Jessica Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful read.

[Chickadee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although Angry by Laura L. Smith is marketed as “teen fiction”, I don’t believe I would allow my teenage daughter to read this. (if I had one)

Divorce, adultery and alcoholism are some of the sensitive topics mentioned in this book and I strongly suggest that parents read this for themselves before handing it over to their teenager.

Readers should also be aware that “slang” is used in this book and the main character talks about losing her virginity. All of these issues are very hot topics and I think that parents will have to decide for themselves whether or not this is an appropriate book for their child to read.

The book is about an angry teenage girl whose parents are divorcing after an extramarital affair. This story details the thoughts, feelings and emotions that a teenager might experience while going through this. Emma, (the main character) is also angry at God.

Based on the book’s description of this family, they do not appear to be actively practicing any type of faith so I’m not sure how the main character even knows about God. There’s no mention of church attendance (past or present) or religious beliefs and God, family and marriage aren’t a high priority in this family.

The parents have both thrown themselves into their careers, neglecting each other and leaving their teenage daughter to care for her siblings. Emma is confused, frustrated and battling low self esteem.

At the end of the book, Emma talks about a “warm golden feeling” which she attributes to God, but the reader doesn’t walk away with a sense of reconciliation. There’s nothing to indicate that Emma is making major changes in her life other than not being so angry at God anymore. While she “talks” to God and asks Him for things, that’s about the extent of her relationship with Him. She doesn’t seek out a pastor, counseling or a church, she doesn’t read the Bible; there’s just a lot of conversation between her and God in which she supposes what He says back to her.

I have to say I was a little disappointed in this book. It didn't convey the message of Christ that I thought it would. Granted, you don’t have to be preachy to get the Gospel across but this title didn’t share much of any message, in my opinion.

Maybe I misconstrued the intent of this book? I was hoping that it would not only help readers who have gone through this, identify with Emma, but perhaps it would point them to Christ, the only source of help we can rely on in times of crisis.

I would have liked to have seen Emma and her family come to know Christ, establish a solid relationship with Him and possibly reconcile with each other. Or maybe the parents could have made some type of effort to work things out – that scenario would at least give some hope.

This story basically writes off one parent who slowly disappears from the scene, while the other plows through life, relying on alcohol to cope. I didn’t find it necessarily uplifting nor encouraging, which I expected from NavPress.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Monaghan is angry! But more than that she really just wants someone to acknowledge her, to notice her.

Emma's parents are getting a divorce, and while it is hard for Emma to figure out who is to blame, all she knows is she is tired of always babysitting her younger siblings while her mom goes to work. It seems to her that her parents are so involved in their problems that they don't understand where she is coming from, add to that Emma is insecure, she is always criticizing herself. She "messed" around with a boy last school year, staying out all night with him, and even having a pregnancy scare, her parents grounded her for staying out, they never found out about the pregnancy thing, and while she was grounded he found another girlfriend. For Emma the relationship was more about having someone to pay attention to her.

Emma loves to sing and when she sets her hopes on getting a part in Les Mis, will she achieve her goal? Even though she has a relationship with God will she learn to turn her problems over to him?

I enjoyed this story the way the author portrayed Emma's character it almost seemed as if a teen was actually writing the story. Emma comes off as a girl that feels neglected by her parents with a lot of responsibility for taking care of her siblings. It was interesting to see Emma chide her mother for using alcohol to cope with the impending divorce, almost as if she were taking care of her.

This book deals with some pretty heavy topics such as adultry, divorce, and alcoholism, but it also delivers a pretty stong message as well. That God is always with us, and we need to trust and turn our problems over to him!

I was provided a copy of this book by Nav Press for review, but it in no way alters my opinion of this story.

[Lori Henrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. When I ordered it (free) I didn't realize that this was Christian Fiction. I guess it would be considered YA fiction. I was impressed with the character development and how the issue of divorce was handled.

Emma is the oldest of six and is spending the summer babysitting for her brothers and sisters. She just found out that the drama department at school will be performing Les Miserables (one of her favorites). Focusing on the music helps her cope with what is going on at home. Her parents are getting a divorce and right now home and dealing with the anger of her family falling apart is something that Emma is struggling with. Can God truly help her with her anger. She wants to believe that with every fiber of her being, but is doubtful.

The story is well written and handles a topic that unfortunately is very prevalent in today's day and age. It is very commonplace now to come from a home of divorce, and unfortunately the anger and disappointment can leave a family so broken that sometimes the kids never recover. Makes me grateful for parents that were married 45 years before my dad passed away.

[Adriana B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma, Emma, Emma… such a sad girl just screaming to be heard (see what I did there? ;) ) I just wanted to hug her so tightly and fix all her problems….but I couldn’t cause she’s fictional :( *sniff sniff* (The struggles of a reader, I tell you.) Angry is the third book in the series and a great, though heart shattering, end to the trilogy.

Emma’s family is falling apart and she’s left to clean up the damage and try to put her life back together. Amidst the struggle, she just wants everything to be normal even though that couldn’t happen. (this book made me cry!) When bad things happen all one wants is for things to be normal right? Yeah, been there. Bad stuff happens and if everything could just fix itself that would be great! My point? totally relatable. Once again, amazing writing and a great read! :D

[Bethany Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Review to come.