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In Leah's Wake
In this haunting coming-of-age novel, award-winning author Terri Giuliano Long delves into every parents’ nightmare as a rebellious teenage daughter unravels before her family, forcing them to reevaluate the choices they’ve made….
Star player and captain of her soccer team, sixteen-year-old Leah Tyler has a bright future ahead of her. Though she’s only in her junior year of high school, several colleges have already expressed interest in recruiting Leah—including Harvard, where her father desperately wants her to go. But when she meets bad boy Todd Corbett, her life soon spirals dangerously out of control.
From ignoring her curfew to experimenting with drugs, Leah is breaking every rule. For the first time in her life, she feels like she’s the one in control, making her own decisions instead of following her parents’ dreams. But as Leah is about to discover, her actions have the power to forever fracture her family.
WINNER, Global eBook Award, Popular Literature, 2012
WINNER, Indie Discovery Award, Literary Fiction, 2012
2011 Book Bundlz Book Pick
Book Bundlz 2011 Book Club Favorites, First Place
Star player and captain of her soccer team, sixteen-year-old Leah Tyler has a bright future ahead of her. Though she’s only in her junior year of high school, several colleges have already expressed interest in recruiting Leah—including Harvard, where her father desperately wants her to go. But when she meets bad boy Todd Corbett, her life soon spirals dangerously out of control.
From ignoring her curfew to experimenting with drugs, Leah is breaking every rule. For the first time in her life, she feels like she’s the one in control, making her own decisions instead of following her parents’ dreams. But as Leah is about to discover, her actions have the power to forever fracture her family.
WINNER, Global eBook Award, Popular Literature, 2012
WINNER, Indie Discovery Award, Literary Fiction, 2012
2011 Book Bundlz Book Pick
Book Bundlz 2011 Book Club Favorites, First Place
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First published October 1, 2010
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Terri Giuliano Long
1 book493 followersMother, wife, friend, writer and serious chocolate lover.
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August 30, 2011Zoe and Will Tyler led the perfect life in suburbia—a beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters.
Their eldest, Leah, was widely considered the best soccer player in the state of Massachusetts; she was right on track for receiving an Ivy league scholarship, and from there, no one had any doubt that she’d live the perfect, privileged life.
Their younger daughter Justine was far more responsible than seemed possible for her twelve years. An excellent student, she was set on becoming a doctor. As a devout Catholic, she turned to God to ameliorate the minor blips in her otherwise smooth existence.
Yes, Zoe and Will had done all right for themselves. With Leah nearing the end of her high school career and well-behaved Justine about to enter teen-dom, they were all-set to enjoy a peaceful life as soon-to-be empty nesters.
Then everything went wrong.
An unfortunate miscalculation pushes Will’s job into prolonged instability. But this goes almost unnoticed at the hands of a much bigger problem—Leah’s unforeseen and all-too sudden rebellion.
Leah falls in love with Todd, a drug-dealing high school dropout three years her senior. She pledges her devotion to him and envisions a life at his side. Todd introduces Leah to drugs, sex, and petty crime. At first, Leah is ambivalent about this new lifestyle; she wavers back and forth, weighing her commitment to her boyfriend against that of her commitment to the family.
When Leah breaks curfew one night, Will blows up at her and even threatens to kill her scumbag boyfriend. In her ongoing efforts to keep the peace, Zoe kindly points out that Leah could do better. Unfortunately, these attempts to help steer Leah back to the straight and narrow only push her further into the arms of Todd, and their differing strategies also cause a rift in the once happy marriage.
Every time Leah begins to doubt her future with Todd, one of her parents goes too far in their attempts to control her. Eventually, Leah’s ambivalence disappears all together.
Meanwhile, dutiful Justine just wants to be noticed by her sister, by her parents, by life itself. She follows Leah into deviant behavior of her own and even begins to question her commitment to academics and to God.
Will Justine follow in Leah’s wake? What will happen to Leah? Is she lost forever? Will Zoe and Todd’s marriage last? Is there any way for this story to end happily?
The five primary characters—Zoe, Will, Leah, Justine, and the fifth, Jerry, a local cop that will play an integral role in bringing the fragmented family back together—have distinct voices and world views. Their motivations are so believable and understandable that the reader may sometimes forget they only exist within the pages of a novel. Each feels like a person you may have once met and even loved. Together these characters usher the reader seamlessly through the harsh events that unfold within the novel. They make it move quickly; they make it enjoyable.
“In Leah’s Wake” is a story of the rationalization we make for others’ behavior as well as our own; it is about our responsibility toward those we love and about our interconnectedness with the world around us. Ultimately, this is a novel about family, duty, and growing up (even if you thought you had done that long ago).
With such thoughtful characterization and beautifully woven prose, the reader may find it difficult to believe that “In Leah’s Wake” is Terri Giuliano Long’s debut novel.
Their eldest, Leah, was widely considered the best soccer player in the state of Massachusetts; she was right on track for receiving an Ivy league scholarship, and from there, no one had any doubt that she’d live the perfect, privileged life.
Their younger daughter Justine was far more responsible than seemed possible for her twelve years. An excellent student, she was set on becoming a doctor. As a devout Catholic, she turned to God to ameliorate the minor blips in her otherwise smooth existence.
Yes, Zoe and Will had done all right for themselves. With Leah nearing the end of her high school career and well-behaved Justine about to enter teen-dom, they were all-set to enjoy a peaceful life as soon-to-be empty nesters.
Then everything went wrong.
An unfortunate miscalculation pushes Will’s job into prolonged instability. But this goes almost unnoticed at the hands of a much bigger problem—Leah’s unforeseen and all-too sudden rebellion.
Leah falls in love with Todd, a drug-dealing high school dropout three years her senior. She pledges her devotion to him and envisions a life at his side. Todd introduces Leah to drugs, sex, and petty crime. At first, Leah is ambivalent about this new lifestyle; she wavers back and forth, weighing her commitment to her boyfriend against that of her commitment to the family.
When Leah breaks curfew one night, Will blows up at her and even threatens to kill her scumbag boyfriend. In her ongoing efforts to keep the peace, Zoe kindly points out that Leah could do better. Unfortunately, these attempts to help steer Leah back to the straight and narrow only push her further into the arms of Todd, and their differing strategies also cause a rift in the once happy marriage.
Every time Leah begins to doubt her future with Todd, one of her parents goes too far in their attempts to control her. Eventually, Leah’s ambivalence disappears all together.
Meanwhile, dutiful Justine just wants to be noticed by her sister, by her parents, by life itself. She follows Leah into deviant behavior of her own and even begins to question her commitment to academics and to God.
Will Justine follow in Leah’s wake? What will happen to Leah? Is she lost forever? Will Zoe and Todd’s marriage last? Is there any way for this story to end happily?
The five primary characters—Zoe, Will, Leah, Justine, and the fifth, Jerry, a local cop that will play an integral role in bringing the fragmented family back together—have distinct voices and world views. Their motivations are so believable and understandable that the reader may sometimes forget they only exist within the pages of a novel. Each feels like a person you may have once met and even loved. Together these characters usher the reader seamlessly through the harsh events that unfold within the novel. They make it move quickly; they make it enjoyable.
“In Leah’s Wake” is a story of the rationalization we make for others’ behavior as well as our own; it is about our responsibility toward those we love and about our interconnectedness with the world around us. Ultimately, this is a novel about family, duty, and growing up (even if you thought you had done that long ago).
With such thoughtful characterization and beautifully woven prose, the reader may find it difficult to believe that “In Leah’s Wake” is Terri Giuliano Long’s debut novel.
August 17, 2011
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. - Jane Howard
Leah Tyler is not your average teen. she is a star football player and her school work is brilliant . her father Will and her mother Zoe could not have been more proud to have a daughter like her. her sister Justine looks up to her, too. everything seemed perfect for Leah until she gets involved with Todd Corbett and his crowd. suddenly, her future and that of her family did not appear so promising anymore...
have you ever gotten to read a book that you could barely put down and that stays with you long after? i have and this is one such book. in her amazing debut novel, Terri Giuliano Long invites the reader to witness the ups and downs of a middle class American family. she takes us inside each major character's point of view and we become intimate with them as we learn about their feelings, dreams, hopes, fears and secrets.
i feel for everyone in this story. whether they did something that could be considered right or wrong turned out to be irrelevant to me because each had something significant to tell. moreover, i could relate to a few of these characters. as i continued to read, i was struck by how similar dynamics among family and friends could be wherever you live or come from and that some events can really spiral out of control despite one's good intentions. as the drama and conflict played out among the Tylers, i could not help but think about my own family, my relatives and friends and the problems and issues we lived through and those that we still face as well.
i highly recommend this book to everyone who has ever been a part of a family. my wish is that after reading In Leah's Wake, we all continue to learn to be more open, honest, caring, understanding, forgiving and loving individuals.
Leah Tyler is not your average teen. she is a star football player and her school work is brilliant . her father Will and her mother Zoe could not have been more proud to have a daughter like her. her sister Justine looks up to her, too. everything seemed perfect for Leah until she gets involved with Todd Corbett and his crowd. suddenly, her future and that of her family did not appear so promising anymore...
have you ever gotten to read a book that you could barely put down and that stays with you long after? i have and this is one such book. in her amazing debut novel, Terri Giuliano Long invites the reader to witness the ups and downs of a middle class American family. she takes us inside each major character's point of view and we become intimate with them as we learn about their feelings, dreams, hopes, fears and secrets.
i feel for everyone in this story. whether they did something that could be considered right or wrong turned out to be irrelevant to me because each had something significant to tell. moreover, i could relate to a few of these characters. as i continued to read, i was struck by how similar dynamics among family and friends could be wherever you live or come from and that some events can really spiral out of control despite one's good intentions. as the drama and conflict played out among the Tylers, i could not help but think about my own family, my relatives and friends and the problems and issues we lived through and those that we still face as well.
i highly recommend this book to everyone who has ever been a part of a family. my wish is that after reading In Leah's Wake, we all continue to learn to be more open, honest, caring, understanding, forgiving and loving individuals.
July 15, 2011
Review: In Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long
Synopsis provided by Goodreads
The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore.
While Zoe and Will fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake.
Will this family survive? What happens when love just isn’t enough?
Jodi Picoult fans will love this beautifully written and absorbing novel.
My Thoughts:
In Leah's Wake is Terri Giuliano Long Debut Novel. A novel about the trials and tribulation's of raising two teenage daughters. A family living in an upscale community with their straight A, well behaved daughters.
Leah, a high school Soccer star, and Captain of her team, with the coaching from her father, Will first then a demanding Coach, already being recruited by Harvard and with a full scholarship on the line, Leah has other plans in mind very different from what her father and Coach want for her.
Justine, an aspiring Scientist, straight A student and all around good girl has her faith in God tested to the limit when her sister Leah, suddenly starts to rebel against her family, friends and team mates after she meets her new boyfriend.
Will and Zoe Tyler, hard working parents who try to give their girls the best of everything. Will a successful sales Executive and Zoe a Therapist with her own private practice, and motivational seminars she does on the weekends.
Life for the Tyler's seems great until Leah meets her trouble-making boyfriend. Life as they knew it takes a terrible downward spiral very quickly and turns all of their lives upside down. Leah doesn't know what she wants anymore, as she struggles for her independence, the once close family she had quickly falls apart. Will and Zoe struggle with the decisions on how to handle their daughter's new attitude and the decisions she is making, which is having a terrible impact on their marriage, while Justine is left trying to hold the family together. While trying to be the loyal sister and the good daughter, Justine suffers and test's the faith she has in God.
I have read a lot of books in the past on raising teens who rebel against their parents for one reason or another, but I have never read a book so close to home before. I love the way Terri tells the story from all side's of the family, not just the parents. You get to see where Leah's anger and frustration's are coming from, and where Justine's emotions are all over the place and doesn't know what to do to hold her family together. It's is also told from Will and Zoe's perspective's as well, as frustrated parents wondering if they are making the right choices on handling Leah's troubles she gets into. It takes the novel to a new level of understanding the whole picture.
I have a personal bond and understanding with Terri's novel. I have a son who has ADHD and ODD, he was a very hard child to raise. Growing up he had the same pent up anger, never being allowed to do what the other kids did and rebelling to get his freedom and independence. I also have a younger boy who was a really good kid, and like Justine he got put off to the side because I never had to worry about him, he was the good one. I saw the similarities between Will and Zoe's marriage, in my own and how much strain and stress it puts on a marriage. The fighting and not trusting each other and the children trying to put us against each other, and how easy it is for a marriage to end because of it all.
In the end, thank goodness it all has a way of working out for most, this was a very profound book for me, as I would think and hope it would be for all who read it. Terri takes you on an emotional ride where you are praying for all to work out in the end, but also for anyone who has gone through raising a child who rebels makes you understand, you are not alone. It is a hard time to watch and know that you can not control your kids anymore when they reach that age, and hope and pray that what you have taught them will help them make the right decisions.
Terri's way of telling this story is superb, compelling, and leaves a huge impact on you. I am very honored to have been given the chance to read "In Leah's Wake" and cannot wait to read what Terri writes next. This is a must read novel and recommend it to everyone, especially parents.
Synopsis provided by Goodreads
The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore.
While Zoe and Will fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake.
Will this family survive? What happens when love just isn’t enough?
Jodi Picoult fans will love this beautifully written and absorbing novel.
My Thoughts:
In Leah's Wake is Terri Giuliano Long Debut Novel. A novel about the trials and tribulation's of raising two teenage daughters. A family living in an upscale community with their straight A, well behaved daughters.
Leah, a high school Soccer star, and Captain of her team, with the coaching from her father, Will first then a demanding Coach, already being recruited by Harvard and with a full scholarship on the line, Leah has other plans in mind very different from what her father and Coach want for her.
Justine, an aspiring Scientist, straight A student and all around good girl has her faith in God tested to the limit when her sister Leah, suddenly starts to rebel against her family, friends and team mates after she meets her new boyfriend.
Will and Zoe Tyler, hard working parents who try to give their girls the best of everything. Will a successful sales Executive and Zoe a Therapist with her own private practice, and motivational seminars she does on the weekends.
Life for the Tyler's seems great until Leah meets her trouble-making boyfriend. Life as they knew it takes a terrible downward spiral very quickly and turns all of their lives upside down. Leah doesn't know what she wants anymore, as she struggles for her independence, the once close family she had quickly falls apart. Will and Zoe struggle with the decisions on how to handle their daughter's new attitude and the decisions she is making, which is having a terrible impact on their marriage, while Justine is left trying to hold the family together. While trying to be the loyal sister and the good daughter, Justine suffers and test's the faith she has in God.
I have read a lot of books in the past on raising teens who rebel against their parents for one reason or another, but I have never read a book so close to home before. I love the way Terri tells the story from all side's of the family, not just the parents. You get to see where Leah's anger and frustration's are coming from, and where Justine's emotions are all over the place and doesn't know what to do to hold her family together. It's is also told from Will and Zoe's perspective's as well, as frustrated parents wondering if they are making the right choices on handling Leah's troubles she gets into. It takes the novel to a new level of understanding the whole picture.
I have a personal bond and understanding with Terri's novel. I have a son who has ADHD and ODD, he was a very hard child to raise. Growing up he had the same pent up anger, never being allowed to do what the other kids did and rebelling to get his freedom and independence. I also have a younger boy who was a really good kid, and like Justine he got put off to the side because I never had to worry about him, he was the good one. I saw the similarities between Will and Zoe's marriage, in my own and how much strain and stress it puts on a marriage. The fighting and not trusting each other and the children trying to put us against each other, and how easy it is for a marriage to end because of it all.
In the end, thank goodness it all has a way of working out for most, this was a very profound book for me, as I would think and hope it would be for all who read it. Terri takes you on an emotional ride where you are praying for all to work out in the end, but also for anyone who has gone through raising a child who rebels makes you understand, you are not alone. It is a hard time to watch and know that you can not control your kids anymore when they reach that age, and hope and pray that what you have taught them will help them make the right decisions.
Terri's way of telling this story is superb, compelling, and leaves a huge impact on you. I am very honored to have been given the chance to read "In Leah's Wake" and cannot wait to read what Terri writes next. This is a must read novel and recommend it to everyone, especially parents.
March 15, 2012
I wavered on whether to give this book two or three stars..I ended up with three, because it was engrossing if not exactly well written. It needed a good editor between mispellings and errors, including that the author mispelled Kurt Cobain's name. (Really? She doesn't look that old!). I have to say that reading the book felt like watching a train wreck. The characters were not likable and were more cliched than realistic. Leah, we are told over and over again although we see no evidence of this, is a very smart girl who gets in to trouble after hooking up with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. This book relied on stereotypes and typical scenarios. Frankly, Leah never came across as that intelligent to me. She seemed like a very average teenaged girl who was a little light on creative thought. She's a soccer star because Daddy wants her to be. Daddy is the stereotypical father who works too much and cheats on his wife when she has a traumatic forced abortion for medical reasons. Zoe, the wifey stays with him anyway because she believes it best for her daughters. Meanwhile, both parents work too much, not really paying attention to who their daughters are, instead seeing them as they believe them to be. Even though Daddy was a folk guitarist when they met, Zoe is horrified to find out that her daughter is dating a boy who used to be a roadie in a rock band. Zoe is very judgemental throughout the book, in that way snobby not too bright left wingers always are. This makes her very isolated, as she fears sharing her personal problems with anyone except a male married cop who harbors a secret attraction for her. There are a lot of places in this novel where the continuity is very bad and just little plotlines that aren't resolved.
I don't know if this is really a realistic portrayal of a formerly perfect girl gone bad. More like a girl who feels ignored is striking out at society and her parents conformity by dating a bad boy who eventually gets her in to trouble. I think the underlying story is more the decay of the modern family- two parents too busy working and worrying about their own fullfillment to pay real attention to their daughter, peers too worried about getting high or stealing clothes from local shops, schools too intent on teaching white guilt and tearing down our heros (in the beginning a confused Leah thinks about Columbus being more of an imperialist than an explorer, showing the type of revisionist history aimed at breaking down our formerly proud heritage that today's kids are subjected to in the name of diversity). It's no wonder that average kids have problems when they have no real authority figures to look up to. Society itself is broken, so of course that is translating to individuals.
Interesting read, better than much of the mass produced fiction.
I don't know if this is really a realistic portrayal of a formerly perfect girl gone bad. More like a girl who feels ignored is striking out at society and her parents conformity by dating a bad boy who eventually gets her in to trouble. I think the underlying story is more the decay of the modern family- two parents too busy working and worrying about their own fullfillment to pay real attention to their daughter, peers too worried about getting high or stealing clothes from local shops, schools too intent on teaching white guilt and tearing down our heros (in the beginning a confused Leah thinks about Columbus being more of an imperialist than an explorer, showing the type of revisionist history aimed at breaking down our formerly proud heritage that today's kids are subjected to in the name of diversity). It's no wonder that average kids have problems when they have no real authority figures to look up to. Society itself is broken, so of course that is translating to individuals.
Interesting read, better than much of the mass produced fiction.
May 18, 2012
I understand that this is a first book and that the author teaches at Boston College. It is tremendously difficult to write a novel and to publish it, even self publish it. I respect those who do it. Because of that, I feel a certain obligation to say why I rated this one star.
The premise of the book: parents dealing with a 17-year-old daughter who goes from a soccer star with good grades to a drug user, school drop-out, dating a loser with a police record all in about 10 minutes flat.
I found myself constantly wanting to know why. What happened to change this young woman into someone with no self respect? Her father being too excited about her going to Harvard on a soccer scholarship? Nope. Can't buy it. I've seen dads who criticized every play when his child came off the field.
What I found missing throughout this book was strong character motivation. Some quick, glossed over explanations are given for one action or another, but none worked enough for me to involve me with any of the characters. I didn't like the characters, but I didn't hate them either. I didn't care what happened to them. I'm an animal lover; I didn't even care that the dog died.
There was plenty of verbalized emotion that, unfortunately seemed to change with lightning speed (I love my parents, I want to go home, I hate my boyfriend, no I love him I'm going to stay with him forever, I hate my parents.) Living with a teen guarantees every parent a ticket to an emotional zip line over snapping alligators, but teens have reasons for what they do. Had the author explored the motivation of her characters, this could have been a much different story.
There were other problems: too many details about the most minor of characters,the sudden interjection of street slang that was out of character and inappropriate for the moment, a limp ending and the lack of a ruthless, truthful editor (God bless 'em every one.)
For me, the emotional details about the protagonist, the consistency and change of his/her emotional state (not what they are eating or throwing in their suitcases) makes me empathize and care about what happens to a character.
I understand that there is another book in the works. We learn to write by writing. I hope Ms. Long spends more time on her main character and puts some depth into why her character does what she does or thinks what she thinks. We are supposed to show, not tell, but it's okay to give the reader more insight.
I think this author is probably capable of a MUCH better story than this one.
The premise of the book: parents dealing with a 17-year-old daughter who goes from a soccer star with good grades to a drug user, school drop-out, dating a loser with a police record all in about 10 minutes flat.
I found myself constantly wanting to know why. What happened to change this young woman into someone with no self respect? Her father being too excited about her going to Harvard on a soccer scholarship? Nope. Can't buy it. I've seen dads who criticized every play when his child came off the field.
What I found missing throughout this book was strong character motivation. Some quick, glossed over explanations are given for one action or another, but none worked enough for me to involve me with any of the characters. I didn't like the characters, but I didn't hate them either. I didn't care what happened to them. I'm an animal lover; I didn't even care that the dog died.
There was plenty of verbalized emotion that, unfortunately seemed to change with lightning speed (I love my parents, I want to go home, I hate my boyfriend, no I love him I'm going to stay with him forever, I hate my parents.) Living with a teen guarantees every parent a ticket to an emotional zip line over snapping alligators, but teens have reasons for what they do. Had the author explored the motivation of her characters, this could have been a much different story.
There were other problems: too many details about the most minor of characters,the sudden interjection of street slang that was out of character and inappropriate for the moment, a limp ending and the lack of a ruthless, truthful editor (God bless 'em every one.)
For me, the emotional details about the protagonist, the consistency and change of his/her emotional state (not what they are eating or throwing in their suitcases) makes me empathize and care about what happens to a character.
I understand that there is another book in the works. We learn to write by writing. I hope Ms. Long spends more time on her main character and puts some depth into why her character does what she does or thinks what she thinks. We are supposed to show, not tell, but it's okay to give the reader more insight.
I think this author is probably capable of a MUCH better story than this one.
January 11, 2012
2.5 stars. This book really disappointed me. It sounded so good, but I was not impressed once I got into it. Here are my problems: 1) The writing was all over the place and Long would completely switch topics without any transitions and I was often wondering "wait what is going on now?" 2) The editing sucked! There is no nice way to put it. I found errors throughout the whole book and they weren't minor...they were distracting and annoying. 3) The time the book was set (2000's) did not match up with things taking place in the book such as everyone wearing overalls all the time...I don't know where Long is from, but I haven't seen a teenager sporting overalls since the 90's. 4) The parents in this book pissed me off...one second she wrote them as these loving parents gung-ho about getting their daughter back and the next second they were "giving her her space" or trying to move on with their lives. I'm not a parent, but if my child was doing the things Leah was doing in this book, I would behave a lot differently than Zoe and Will-or at least I would hope. Also, the parents were usually totally disregarding the face that they had another daughter, and Justine just seemed to be okay with it. 5) I thought the ending was weak.
That being said, the last 30 or so pages of the book were the best, but for some reason Long completely changed her writing style and started incorporating days and times. This threw me completely off because it was coming up after 300 pages of normal chapters.
This book ultimately had a good idea (teenage girl gets mixed up with her boyfriend and drugs and begins making horrible decisions which ultimately effect her whole family), but it was poorly written and therefore, I didn't emotionally connect with any of the characters and I think this is what mostly led me to rate this book so low.
That being said, the last 30 or so pages of the book were the best, but for some reason Long completely changed her writing style and started incorporating days and times. This threw me completely off because it was coming up after 300 pages of normal chapters.
This book ultimately had a good idea (teenage girl gets mixed up with her boyfriend and drugs and begins making horrible decisions which ultimately effect her whole family), but it was poorly written and therefore, I didn't emotionally connect with any of the characters and I think this is what mostly led me to rate this book so low.
July 19, 2011
In Leah's Wake is a timeless look at teenagers, families, marriages, and what happens when you put them all together in a cage and let them have at each other. (OK, maybe not exactly that...)
Now I've never known of a Leah who was a know-it-all, rebellious teen, but I suppose it could happen. (*ahem*) But where this book really hits home is the truth in it. It takes the timeless story of growing up and loving and being loved, and it looks at it from four different angles: Will, the father and breadwinner; Zoe, the mother and wife; Leah, the rebellious teen; and Justine, the younger sister.
The story takes you through not just the things that happen to all of them during Leah's unexpected and dramatic rebellion, but also looks at what brought each one of them to that point, the baggage they're bringing with them, and how all of this makes up the unique drama that is this family's struggles, tragedy, and triumph.
Terri Giuliano Long's debut in In Leah's Wake is a story of love and loss, and of what endures.
Now I've never known of a Leah who was a know-it-all, rebellious teen, but I suppose it could happen. (*ahem*) But where this book really hits home is the truth in it. It takes the timeless story of growing up and loving and being loved, and it looks at it from four different angles: Will, the father and breadwinner; Zoe, the mother and wife; Leah, the rebellious teen; and Justine, the younger sister.
The story takes you through not just the things that happen to all of them during Leah's unexpected and dramatic rebellion, but also looks at what brought each one of them to that point, the baggage they're bringing with them, and how all of this makes up the unique drama that is this family's struggles, tragedy, and triumph.
Terri Giuliano Long's debut in In Leah's Wake is a story of love and loss, and of what endures.
October 19, 2011
In my job, I see these kinds of relationship between parents and kids, kids and other kids, kids and drugs and the downward spiral that it takes them all on. Being a teenager is hard these days, and Ms. Long did a great job showing a honest and deep problem that plaques so many teenagers, young adults and families these days.
This novel was written in a smooth style with a passion for detail. The characters, even the minor ones showed great depth and were easy to visualize throughout the story.
I enjoyed reading "In Leah's Wake" and look forward to seeing more of Ms. Longs work.
This novel was written in a smooth style with a passion for detail. The characters, even the minor ones showed great depth and were easy to visualize throughout the story.
I enjoyed reading "In Leah's Wake" and look forward to seeing more of Ms. Longs work.
September 15, 2011
This book is painfully honest. What happens when a perfect daughter decides to completely change her life? What are the consequences for the rest of her family and siblings? The reader will be introduced to the concept of extreme irony in this novel-the foremost being that the mother of the wayward daughter is a teacher who promotes the best possible futures for others' children. The daughter meets a secondary character, Todd, and her life disintegrates from there. The reader will wonder at the actions of the parents-there are not many attempts to curb their daughter's behavior or make her see the error of her ways. The parents are portrayed as weak and feeble. The younger daughter idolizes her elder sister. She, too, begins a downward spiral after her sister up and decides to stop being the good girl. There will be many times when the reader will wish he/she could grab the parents and shake them or tell them off; the reader will want to yell at the children and their ridiculous actions. This novel is meant to be extremely frustrating; it should be noted that the author is very impressive to get such an extreme reaction from her readers. This novel is recommended for young adults/adults who believe every book can teach him/her something.
I received this book to review, this in no way affected my opinion.
http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.co...
I received this book to review, this in no way affected my opinion.
http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.co...
August 15, 2011
The Tyler's had a perfect life, happily married with two perfect teenaged daughters. Then Leah, the oldest, starts rebelling. Their lives very quickly fall apart as everyone struggles through their new reality.
This is a powerful story about one girl's rebellion, and the affect it has on her entire family. Told in alternating perspectives from all family members, it is a heartbreaking look at how easily things can fall apart.
It is very easy to see and believe how Leah's rebellion started, and then quickly escalated as she fell into drugs and alcohol. Sadly, it is a scenario that plays out frequently in many families. This was a very complete picture of how one person's decisions affect everyone around them.
I was very sysmpathetic to everyone if the family, with the exception of Will, the father. His reactions, and overreactions to most things frustrated and annoyed me. I understand that his actions were realistic, but it didn't stop me from disliking him. The person I felt most sorry for was Justine, the younger daughter. Not only did she have to struggle with her sister's actions, she also bore the brunt of her parents' reactions.
Overall, this was a very emotional book. It was easy to believe and empathisize with all the characters. This would be a great book for both teenagers and their parents. A kind of cautionary tale of what could happen.
This is a powerful story about one girl's rebellion, and the affect it has on her entire family. Told in alternating perspectives from all family members, it is a heartbreaking look at how easily things can fall apart.
It is very easy to see and believe how Leah's rebellion started, and then quickly escalated as she fell into drugs and alcohol. Sadly, it is a scenario that plays out frequently in many families. This was a very complete picture of how one person's decisions affect everyone around them.
I was very sysmpathetic to everyone if the family, with the exception of Will, the father. His reactions, and overreactions to most things frustrated and annoyed me. I understand that his actions were realistic, but it didn't stop me from disliking him. The person I felt most sorry for was Justine, the younger daughter. Not only did she have to struggle with her sister's actions, she also bore the brunt of her parents' reactions.
Overall, this was a very emotional book. It was easy to believe and empathisize with all the characters. This would be a great book for both teenagers and their parents. A kind of cautionary tale of what could happen.
May 30, 2011
When I first read the synopsis for In Leah’s Wake, it struck me as interesting, but I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to relate. Being single and childless left me thinking it would be a good story but I might not walk away with the kind of reaction the author was hoping for. That idea changed as I got further into the book. Perhaps I don’t have children of my own, but I do deal with kids on a daily basis and I hope that I am teaching them good life lessons. Also, I found I knew variations of the story from real life experiences when I was younger. The great thing about this novel is that it is shown from all sides of the experience: the parents, the children, even the cop who is involved. There is someone in the story everyone can find a way to relate to. It’s gritty, going into details of wild teen parties and drug use, infidelities, doubts and self discovery. It shows how each character grows and learns. One thing I especially liked was there’s not a typical fairy tale ending, which makes it even more realistic and relatable. I would recommend In Leah’s Wake to anyone who enjoys a story of struggles and realizations, a story of growth and discovery, a realistic story we can all relate to in some way.
June 29, 2011
In Leah's Wake is a powerful novel about one teenager's decisions and the destruction it can displace on an entire family. The characters were well-crafted and you cannot help but feel connected to them. I wanted to scream, cry, shake some of them. I personally believe that this book can give most readers something to hang onto, whether you have raised teens or not.
February 14, 2012
This book was terrible. The editing was horrible, not sure how exactly it won any award at all.
August 10, 2012
I felt like a read a Lifetime movie. The parents got on my nerves.
September 19, 2018
Very good read! If life hadn't kept getting in the way, I would've finished this a long time ago. Hard to put down.
November 5, 2020
Book #1 of The Great Book Exchange of 2020
This was a book given to me in a book exchange. Is not the type of fiction novel I normally would pick out.
Did not find any of the characters deepening their narrative as the plot progressed. Was all very textbook and predictable in the stereotypes that were painted. I hoped that the ending would provide a twist but it fell flat.
This was a book given to me in a book exchange. Is not the type of fiction novel I normally would pick out.
Did not find any of the characters deepening their narrative as the plot progressed. Was all very textbook and predictable in the stereotypes that were painted. I hoped that the ending would provide a twist but it fell flat.
July 27, 2012
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinions.
If you look at my recent ratings on Goodreads, lately I’ve been handing out lots of overall ratings of 5’s or 4’s. I feel like I’m just reading so many quality books right now, they all deserve these ratings. Luckily, In Leah’s Wake is one of those books, that I feel definitely deserves a rating of 5 stars.
The plot is definitely not slow, although I didn’t find that there were much surprises in there either. I wouldn’t say it was predictable though either –the book is amazingly realistic, so something like this happens almost all the time in real life. However, I found that the characters were what truly brought the book out.
Usually, I criticize authors about using too many POVs – then it feels like there are too many characters, and that none are fully developed. Apparently, Terri Guiliano Long can. She uses a total of 5 POVs – Leah, Justine (younger sister), Will (father), Zoe (mother), and Jerry (policeman). Being a teenage YA reader, obviously I connect much more towards Leah (18) and Justine (12, I think). However, I also felt for the adults, Zoe especially. Their pain definitely seemed realistic to me, and it was all just raw emotion, and I was probably on the verge of tears (sorry, emotional teenager here…). If you’re looking for a book with solid, emotional and real characters, than this book’s definitely for you – most books only have a few, and this book has at least five.
Although I found all the characters intriguing, I actually found Justine the most interesting. She definitely admires her older sister, despite all the wrongdoings she might have committed. In fact, she even goes to the point of drinking and smoking in middle school. I’m from a neighborhood where almost all the teenagers want a 4.0, so it might be a tad different for me, but I think almost everyone can agree that smoking and drinking in middle school is not a good thing, although it is realistic. I’m not saying this book is inappropriate (well, except for younger readers, but not for more older readers) – I’m saying that Justine has so much pain, and so much real emotion, it’s almost painful.
The relationships between the characters are also amazing. The Tylers seemed a bit fickle – at one point they could seem like a “normal”, loving family, and the next, screaming at each other. They did all love each other – in fact, they say so and do so all the time – it’s just that no family’s perfect, and sometimes in the wrong situations and conditions, everything turns for the worse.
Overall, In Leah’s Wake is simply an amazing book, with complex characters and relationships, blended in with lots of emotion. I definitely recommend this for parents and teenagers alike – both parties can learn something about the other and maybe about themselves. (On a cautionary note, if sex, drugs, smoking, drinking, etc. offend you, this book’s not for you. Personally, I found those elements to be realistic in their lives, so I didn’t mind, but if you do, I suggest something without as much, like Courtney Summer’s works.)
If you look at my recent ratings on Goodreads, lately I’ve been handing out lots of overall ratings of 5’s or 4’s. I feel like I’m just reading so many quality books right now, they all deserve these ratings. Luckily, In Leah’s Wake is one of those books, that I feel definitely deserves a rating of 5 stars.
The plot is definitely not slow, although I didn’t find that there were much surprises in there either. I wouldn’t say it was predictable though either –the book is amazingly realistic, so something like this happens almost all the time in real life. However, I found that the characters were what truly brought the book out.
Usually, I criticize authors about using too many POVs – then it feels like there are too many characters, and that none are fully developed. Apparently, Terri Guiliano Long can. She uses a total of 5 POVs – Leah, Justine (younger sister), Will (father), Zoe (mother), and Jerry (policeman). Being a teenage YA reader, obviously I connect much more towards Leah (18) and Justine (12, I think). However, I also felt for the adults, Zoe especially. Their pain definitely seemed realistic to me, and it was all just raw emotion, and I was probably on the verge of tears (sorry, emotional teenager here…). If you’re looking for a book with solid, emotional and real characters, than this book’s definitely for you – most books only have a few, and this book has at least five.
Although I found all the characters intriguing, I actually found Justine the most interesting. She definitely admires her older sister, despite all the wrongdoings she might have committed. In fact, she even goes to the point of drinking and smoking in middle school. I’m from a neighborhood where almost all the teenagers want a 4.0, so it might be a tad different for me, but I think almost everyone can agree that smoking and drinking in middle school is not a good thing, although it is realistic. I’m not saying this book is inappropriate (well, except for younger readers, but not for more older readers) – I’m saying that Justine has so much pain, and so much real emotion, it’s almost painful.
The relationships between the characters are also amazing. The Tylers seemed a bit fickle – at one point they could seem like a “normal”, loving family, and the next, screaming at each other. They did all love each other – in fact, they say so and do so all the time – it’s just that no family’s perfect, and sometimes in the wrong situations and conditions, everything turns for the worse.
Overall, In Leah’s Wake is simply an amazing book, with complex characters and relationships, blended in with lots of emotion. I definitely recommend this for parents and teenagers alike – both parties can learn something about the other and maybe about themselves. (On a cautionary note, if sex, drugs, smoking, drinking, etc. offend you, this book’s not for you. Personally, I found those elements to be realistic in their lives, so I didn’t mind, but if you do, I suggest something without as much, like Courtney Summer’s works.)
August 19, 2012
I found this book by accident but as soon as i read the blurb i knew i had to read it. Something similar happened in my family -- that something didn’t involve drugs -- but we suffered from the same destructive effects. My family never recovered so i wasn't expecting a happily-ever-after ending. What drew me in was my identification with Justine but i stayed, pulled in by the rest of the characters as they struggled with their pain and frustration and their lack of control . I think that Terri Long did a great job in showing a family in crisis and how, despite their obvious knowledge and love, are unprepared with dealing with their daughter’s rebellion. Unknowingly, their actions only push Leah further away and threaten to do the same with Justine. The one thing the book showed us is that there are no easy answers when it comes to a family in crisis. We all love our children and want the best for them, but the one thing we can't give them is self-love -- this is something they have to find for themselves. The book is not light reading and i wasn't expecting it to be. The book felt honest and true and i instantly related to all of Terri’s characters. Take it from someone who’s been through it -it’s not an easy ride. It’s not going to appeal to everyone. Is it perfect? No. I agree that it went on little too long. The multiple points of view became distracting after a while -- the same action was filtered through multiple viewpoints,making it feel repetitious, but other than that, the book is very well written! What a great debut for a first novel -- I wish i could have written it. For those authors who have a story to tell but wonder who's going to read it I have this to say: as long as the story comes from the heart and is well written, people will read it. I can't wait to read Terri’s next book.
July 23, 2011
The family that seems like they have it all together can be very dysfunctional. No matter what your profession, when your family is having problems, everyone in the family is affected. Leah was the member of the family who seemed to have everything. That is until she met her boyfriend. Instead of pulling him up to her standards, she lowered her own. She started drinking, smoking and doing drugs. Then she is kicked off of the soccer team. Leah makes one bad decision after another. She blames everyone around her instead of taking responsibility for her mistakes. You’d think Leah’s mom would have seen the signs since she was a family counselor. Unfortunately, she was too close to the problem.
I also think Leah was trying to please everyone. She didn’t want to disappoint anyone when it came to her playing soccer. Her parents were so excited for her. It became their dream for her to become a soccer star and not necessarily her dream. Those we think should have seen trouble heading their way often turn a blind eye to the problems. Another problem with a rebellious teen is that younger sibling might be tempted to follow in their steps. This is what happened to Justine. She wanted to fix things and help her sister and her mother. Instead she started down the same path. I think all parents should read this book before they ever have children. Parents can’t use the excuse that they have raised their children in the church or sent them to a private Christian school so they won’t rebel. I am here to tell you that under the right circumstances even those children can take a wrong turn. This was an excellent book, especially since it was her first. I do believe we will see more from this author in the future.
I also think Leah was trying to please everyone. She didn’t want to disappoint anyone when it came to her playing soccer. Her parents were so excited for her. It became their dream for her to become a soccer star and not necessarily her dream. Those we think should have seen trouble heading their way often turn a blind eye to the problems. Another problem with a rebellious teen is that younger sibling might be tempted to follow in their steps. This is what happened to Justine. She wanted to fix things and help her sister and her mother. Instead she started down the same path. I think all parents should read this book before they ever have children. Parents can’t use the excuse that they have raised their children in the church or sent them to a private Christian school so they won’t rebel. I am here to tell you that under the right circumstances even those children can take a wrong turn. This was an excellent book, especially since it was her first. I do believe we will see more from this author in the future.
July 22, 2011
This book is as awesome as it gets!
A compelling and brilliantly executed portrayal of the trials and tribulations faced by two teenagers and their family, ‘In Leah’s Wake’ is a warm, beautiful and frightening microcosm of modern day family life.
The novel sees a sixteen year old girl abandoning her goal in life- soccer – to adopt a lifestyle of drugs, drink and reckless behaviour. Her relationship with no-good boyfriend Todd leads her down a path of self destruction. This relationship, and the turn Leah’s life takes, sees the frustration, hurt, and desperation faced by those around her, when the blindness of love results in Leah’s determination to do things her way. Leah, meanwhile, leaves behind her loving, idolising, clever thirteen year old sister, Justine, who, desperate not to lose her sister, attempts to follow in Leah’s footsteps. Justine begins to turn her back on everything she stood for in order to protect, love and stand by her sister.
Zoe and Will Tyler, Leah’s parents, facing marital problems, health problems and economic problems can do little other than despair.
The brilliance of Terri Long is her ability to draw the reader totally and absolutely into the characters emotions. It is impossible to read this book without sharing the feelings of hurt, worry, love and faith these characters have for each other. Although a tale of trauma, strife and struggle, the tender and gentle nature in which this story is told is testimony to the great talent, awesome skill and beautiful nature of this wonderful writer.
A compelling and brilliantly executed portrayal of the trials and tribulations faced by two teenagers and their family, ‘In Leah’s Wake’ is a warm, beautiful and frightening microcosm of modern day family life.
The novel sees a sixteen year old girl abandoning her goal in life- soccer – to adopt a lifestyle of drugs, drink and reckless behaviour. Her relationship with no-good boyfriend Todd leads her down a path of self destruction. This relationship, and the turn Leah’s life takes, sees the frustration, hurt, and desperation faced by those around her, when the blindness of love results in Leah’s determination to do things her way. Leah, meanwhile, leaves behind her loving, idolising, clever thirteen year old sister, Justine, who, desperate not to lose her sister, attempts to follow in Leah’s footsteps. Justine begins to turn her back on everything she stood for in order to protect, love and stand by her sister.
Zoe and Will Tyler, Leah’s parents, facing marital problems, health problems and economic problems can do little other than despair.
The brilliance of Terri Long is her ability to draw the reader totally and absolutely into the characters emotions. It is impossible to read this book without sharing the feelings of hurt, worry, love and faith these characters have for each other. Although a tale of trauma, strife and struggle, the tender and gentle nature in which this story is told is testimony to the great talent, awesome skill and beautiful nature of this wonderful writer.
November 25, 2011
Will and Zoe have the "perfect" suburbia life from the outside, yet if you were to look on the inside it's falling apart. Zoe is a life coach, and a counselor, yet she can't handle her own life at home. Will has his own business and is gone all the time, leaving Zoe to handle the girls on her own. Leah is the star soccer player on her high school soccer team and things are going great until she meets Todd. She believes she has fallen in love. She's late getting home one night, she tries sneaking in, her dad catches her and all hell breaks loose. Will sees Todd and he just decides he doesn't like him. With Will's declaration that Leah is not to see Todd, Leah digs in her heels and decides to show him that she will do what she wants. She continues to see Todd, she is drinking and doing drugs, she gets kicked off the soccer team at school. When her father clamps down even harder, because the soccer is more about him then it is what Leah wants Leah runs. Leah's little sister Justine is left in the wake that Leah left. It is like she's forgotten. As a mother of daughters I can say that telling a daughter she can't see someone is the biggest mistake you can ever make! That makes him more attractive!
Terri Giuliano Long has written a book that will captivate you from page one and keep you reading until the last page! Move over Jodi Picoult!
Terri Giuliano Long has written a book that will captivate you from page one and keep you reading until the last page! Move over Jodi Picoult!
March 9, 2014
Eh. About halfway through the book I had just about had it with Leah, her parents, and the story line. It became very tedious to read. I appreciate Long's attempt to try and write a realistic account of a troubled teen and the ripple effects it has on a family but this account was stereotypical of what a troubled teen looks like and behaves like. It REALLY annoyed me after a while.
Leah is a super star soccer player and pushing the limits with her family. She's recently started dating a boy to old for her and he has introduced her to all sorts of drugs and alcohol. As Leah spirals further out of control so does her family in response to Leah's actions.
The only part of the book that ended up not annoying me was the reality that one person's choices have a ripple effect and the consequences can be felt both near and far. I think Long intended for the reader to be moved by the emotions of the parents, Leah's younger sister, and even Leah herself but I wasn't moved, just annoyed. Leah was an enabled, selfish brat and her parents acted totally clueless. Blah. I was glad to be done with the book.
Leah is a super star soccer player and pushing the limits with her family. She's recently started dating a boy to old for her and he has introduced her to all sorts of drugs and alcohol. As Leah spirals further out of control so does her family in response to Leah's actions.
The only part of the book that ended up not annoying me was the reality that one person's choices have a ripple effect and the consequences can be felt both near and far. I think Long intended for the reader to be moved by the emotions of the parents, Leah's younger sister, and even Leah herself but I wasn't moved, just annoyed. Leah was an enabled, selfish brat and her parents acted totally clueless. Blah. I was glad to be done with the book.
November 18, 2011
There were a lot of truths in this book and at times it was hard for me to read. Not because of the writing, but because the story hit close to home as it probably does for a lot of people. Troubled families are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Either that or we are just being made aware of them more often. This book was very well written and great care was taken to not label the rebellious, insensitive and scared teen as “the bad guy” because truly she isn’t.
I’ve read many books like this that try to portray the effects peer pressure and bad choices make on ourselves and the loved ones around us but few books have hit the mark. This one has. I recommend this book to anyone with a troubled teen to have your teen read this story. She/he will associate with Leah and what she’s going through and maybe penetrate their rebellious ways.
For the story itself, it was very touching and endearing but hard to read because of the truths. I highly recommend this book. I wish it had been around when I was growing up and when my kids needed it.
I’ve read many books like this that try to portray the effects peer pressure and bad choices make on ourselves and the loved ones around us but few books have hit the mark. This one has. I recommend this book to anyone with a troubled teen to have your teen read this story. She/he will associate with Leah and what she’s going through and maybe penetrate their rebellious ways.
For the story itself, it was very touching and endearing but hard to read because of the truths. I highly recommend this book. I wish it had been around when I was growing up and when my kids needed it.
September 5, 2013
I'm sorry but I didn't like it at all. It was a book club choice, not mine, a story of a dysfunctional teenager and the effects of her fall from grace on the family. I wanted to feel some connection with just one of them but I couldn't. I found myself wanting to skip pages to see if anything happened but nothing really did, it was just one long very miserable journey. I'm sure -sadly - that life is like that for some families and maybe some teenagers will identify with Leah and/or Justine but I couldn't even get in the head of the mother. EG first scene where Leah is very late home - after a lot of worrying by both parents - the mother goes to bed and is quickly snoring. She has no idea where her daughter is and she can fall asleep? I don't care that her husband is waiting - that set the tone for me for the story - I didn't believe it.
Also the language felt almost like a diary in the way it was written, odd mix of tenses and POVs and I found it hard going.
I can see this book has won prizes, had great plaudits but it wasn't one I got on with. Just not my sort of book.
Also the language felt almost like a diary in the way it was written, odd mix of tenses and POVs and I found it hard going.
I can see this book has won prizes, had great plaudits but it wasn't one I got on with. Just not my sort of book.
August 25, 2011
LOVED it! Terri is a great writer. The portrait of this family torn apart by a rebellious daughter influenced by a bad boy was quite real. I felt for all the characters and all of their internal, and external, dramas. I loved how she created such rich character studies for each of the family members and allowed us into their very real lives. I could especially relate to the helplessness the parents must have felt.
This is a terrific book for any parent, especially mothers. It really touched home for me. I couldn't put it down.
In Leah's Wake
Terri Giuliano Long
This is a terrific book for any parent, especially mothers. It really touched home for me. I couldn't put it down.
In Leah's Wake
Terri Giuliano Long
January 8, 2013
As a therapist and author of my own psychological fiction book, Out of Breath, available on Amazon e-books, I found this novel to not only be a page turner, but an accurate description of what can happen when our youth are pushed too hard, parents stop communicating, and the family system breaks down. All too often, we are rushing from one appointment, practice, and activity to the next. Where is the time to share? Decompress? Laugh? I feel as though this book has the potential to wake up families who are on the verge of disaster. In addition, it is well written and the characters are believable and personable; as real as the neighbor next door. Great job.
Five stars!
Five stars!
August 8, 2011
Wow, this book is certainly special! It made me sad but I liked it.
It took me some time to finish it, not because I didn't like it, but because it is so intense. It is beautifully written and manages to express every feeling in a very strong manner. You get to love and hate the characters because of their flaws and mistakes. None of them are right yet you understand each and every motivation for their actions.
It is a really good book yet be advised, it is heartbreaking.
If you like dramas, you should try reading it.
It took me some time to finish it, not because I didn't like it, but because it is so intense. It is beautifully written and manages to express every feeling in a very strong manner. You get to love and hate the characters because of their flaws and mistakes. None of them are right yet you understand each and every motivation for their actions.
It is a really good book yet be advised, it is heartbreaking.
If you like dramas, you should try reading it.
February 13, 2018
Unrealistic
Disappointing story and not realistic. Leah’s parents are suppose to be intelligent people but when they realize their daughter almost suddenly begins a life of extreme defiance involving “the wrong kind of crowd” which includes drugging and drinking, their reaction is as if she just didn’t do her chores. What parent would ground their drug abusing defiant teen then expect the teen would obey them, then go out to dinner, leaving the teen home on a Halloween night? Too many details and unnecessary information.
Disappointing story and not realistic. Leah’s parents are suppose to be intelligent people but when they realize their daughter almost suddenly begins a life of extreme defiance involving “the wrong kind of crowd” which includes drugging and drinking, their reaction is as if she just didn’t do her chores. What parent would ground their drug abusing defiant teen then expect the teen would obey them, then go out to dinner, leaving the teen home on a Halloween night? Too many details and unnecessary information.
May 5, 2011
This book sucks you in at page 1. The characters - some lovable, others detestable as intended - inspire such an emotional reaction, it is impossible not to become attached. As the story unravels and Leah falls deeper into her self-destruction, you get so caught up in the life of the Tyler family you are likely to forget that they and their stories are works of fiction. This exciting page-turner is a must read for anyone who has ever had, known or been a teenager!
May 16, 2011
This is a heartfelt, fast-paced domestic drama about a family that falls apart -- and then comes together again beautifully. The narrative is told in lyrical prose that reads like music, surrounding you in emotions that you almost can't bear, because the feelings are so powerful. I couldn't put it down.In Leah's Wake
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