L.E.A.P.

by Toni Bellon

Turning fourteen, Linn Gurke suffers from the adolescent Acne, Boobs, and Crushes. Her alcoholic mother and codependent father don't provide help or support. While being labeled a liar, Linn is expected to keep her mother's addiction quiet. It's the big secret shaping everyone's truth. Linn wants to quit lying, in particular to her best friend, Nadine. Feeling alone, Linn reads self-help articles and creates Linn's Emerging Adult Plan (L.E.A.P.). This eight-point checklist is designed to prevent Linn from succumbing to her mother's genetic makeup and predisposition toward alcoholism. But when an unbalanced aunt arrives, Linn and her snarky older brother, Brendan, learn that their thirty-nine-year-old mother is pregnant. The family spirals downward as Linn's priorities change from growing up to survival for herself and her siblings. Linn must find a way to conquer the family demons.

Genres: Memoir

232 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[G.A. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow--this book was emotional, and will be for anyone who has lived with someone in their home or inner circle that is an addict or makes them feel unsafe or unloved. Linn is a teenager growing up with a raging alcoholic mom, a dad who is an enabler and the rest of the family has to cover for them and pretend that "everything is perfect." There were so many painful words here, and conflicting emotions-at least twice, Linn compares other moms to her mother, and still picks her own. So pile on the guilt, confusion, love...who said relationships were easy? Add in lots of humor (the universal coping method) to cover the pain. This young woman is learning about life the hard way, but also fighting to survive, along with her brother. Her plan, L.E.A.P. - is the backbone here. I loved these passages of self reflection--the plan to survive. Pretty amazing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs that little whisper in their ear about getting through hard times and surviving. Well done.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tale of dark family secrets that shape a child’s future path, told in a vibrant, sometimes humorous manner, with a deeply emotional pain hovering just beneath the surface. No child should ever have to be exposed to such terrible conditions. Sadly, it happens all too often.
Toni Bellon has managed to tell her story through the eyes of a teenage girl facing the gut wrenching effects of a hopelessly dysfunctional family.
As adults, we must be mindful of these children who need intervention, need us to watch over them and give them the safety they need. They are the most precious resource our society has and we owe it to them, and to ourselves to stay vigilant and to get involved.

[Kim Conrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book says the one thing that so many people growing up with the secrecy of having an addict in the house need to know: you are not alone. This book tells the truth, the truth that children and spouses spend years being silenced over. LEAP needs to be in the world, and I am so glad that it is. Bellon gets into the nitty gritty of this kind of household. It may have been based on her experiences but it represents so many households across the country, across the world! This story is told with tenderness, honesty, and humor. I cannot recommend it enough.

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful portrayal of a bright 14 year old struggling with family issues along with typical teenage drama. Linn shows the intelligence to develop a plan which helps keep her on a survival path. Written with humor and passion, Toni Bellon infiltrates the thoughts and fears of her characters. I hope this becomes the first of a series!

[Amanda Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great debut novel, told from the perspective of a teenage girl who is all snark. Lovable snark. I just want to give Linn a big hug! Poor girl has all the troubles a normal teen does, but with a mother who is A LOT. Many kids (and adults) can relate! And the diary format is really fun and fresh. Well done!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopeful take on a tough topic

I liked the realism mixed with humor. Linn is an engaging character and I know it's a good book because I didn't want it to end. I wanted to know what happens to her, to Brendan, Eric, Nadine, Alan and Steve.

Kids in families with an addicted parent need hope and this books provides hope while acknowledging the difficulty and unfairness of the situation.