The Year it Snowed in April

by Eva Bottier

Avery Benjamin Clarke is a shy and demure boy who was raised in the upper-middle-class home of his maternal grandparents from the day he was born. He's a straight-A student and a model child who has never given his family an ounce of trouble. Then one Easter Sunday his wayward mother, Carla, returns to his grandparents' brownstone. When an unexpected tragedy strikes, Avery is forced to live with Carla permanently. Soon after, his life begins a swift downward spiral as his mother introduces him to a world of dysfunction and darkness.
As Avery grows into a young man, he is determined to hide from the world the secrets he's accumulated. He struggles to suppress his psychosis and obtain some sense of normalcy to his life. But when the tables are turnedyet again, Avery much shoulder crosses noyoung person should ever have to bear. Will he ultimately delve within himself for the strength and sanity that was stolen from him, or will he awaken the monster that has been lurking beneath the surface?
Eva Bottier is the pen name of Michelle Valentine, the author of "A Girl's Gotta Eat" and co-author with Heather Hunter of the "Essence" bestseller "Insatiable". A cum laude graduate of Marymount College, she has been in the entertainment industry for many years and lives with her family in New York.

Genres: Family Drama

Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason this book gets 4 stars is because I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I was waiting for who is going to get punished. I wanted them to get punished so bad. Such a screwed up thing to do to your son. Yes the twist was crazy and it left me with my mouth open but that doesnt give her a reason to do it to her son. Crazy how it started from the top and it trickled its way down and they only way he thought he could end it was by doing what he did at the ending. So sad. So fucked up!!!!!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Year it Snowed in April is story of Avery, abandoned by his teenage mother as a toddler and brought up by his respectable, safe grandparents in Harlem. Avery is a clever, thoughtful and shy teenager, unsure of girls and the world around him, adores his grandparents and has big plans for his future.

Unexepectedly, Avery’s mother comes back into his life and he is thrown into a world that he never even knew existed outside the safe life his grandparents have created for him, with a mother who isn’t ready to be his mother, nor act like one.

As Avery becomes more and more entwined in his mother’s lifestyle he spirals downwards into depression, alcoholism and violence.


I picked this book up quite randomly, looking for a book with the word April in the title for a reading challenge. It began quite slowly, not really picking up speed until nearly half-way through. I had some trouble relating to Avery, his grandparents and his mother to begin with, but as the book progressed I became more involved with the characters, particularly Avery.

This is not a light read. There are confronting scenes of violence, abuse and disturbing sexual scenes, which definitely may not be to some readers’ tastes. It is the story of a boy taken from a safe, secure life and thrust into an adult world and his ability to deal with this new reality is tested to the limits.

I’m still undecided on this book – it has many great qualities, but in parts I felt quite rushed through the story and although the affect on Avery’s life was well drawn, the affect on the lives of those around him could have been expanded further. It’s good, but it could have been so much better.

[DeValerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

To begin with, I did not have high hopes for this book based on the subject matter; however, I gave it the old college try and trudged through it. It was as I suspected...sad, depressing, hopeless, and predictable. I read it in two days...not because it was a page turner but because I wanted to end my misery quickly and fulfill the commitment to my book club. I found it hard to connect with any of the characters including poor little Paige who unfortunately was as much a victim of her parents as Avery just not in such a violent manner. In the end, she too would have been just as unhappy. This book was one cliché after another. Unfortunately, unlike so many of the other reviewers I will not be recommending this one to anyone I know. I mean really where’s Madear when you need her.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book sucked. The writing for one was terrible. The plot for two was even worse if that's possible. It was not believable, which is fine in the fantasy genre. Overall I was beyond disappointed, and annoyed with the time wasted on reading this trash, masquerading as a novel.

[Stephanie Hill Alexander · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book made my stomach hurt. I was repulsed by what I was reading and had to skip a few paragraphs to
R to plug through. I don't even want anyone to know that I got through this awful book. Essence do not ever recommend such a foul disgusting story line. I would give it zero stars if possible.

[Debbie (Can’t breathe w/o a BOOK) D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facades………what’s truth??

This book will live with me always. It is true joy & pain are the flip side of the same coin. I ache, and am 1000% pissed off all at the same time. It is hard to love any of the characters in this book, but very easy to hate and thoroughly be disgusted.
You get to know the characters, some better than others - but I found no gaps here.
It’s hard to stop with the why, why, and how could this happen and I think I can satisfactorily leave it all here.
Thought provoking and a well round story.
Dive in…………

[WallofText · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of the worst reading experiences I’ve ever had. This book has clichés, clunkily written sex scenes, and unengaging characters galore. The writing was shoddy, the characters so stereotypical, and the melodrama never stopped. From murder, drug abuse, sexual abuse, porn addiction, cancer diagnosis, house fire, death, depression, suicide, homophobia, to incest, there was more drama in here than a reality tv show but somehow even more distasteful. Genuinely better off watching the Kardashians than reading this book.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really fucked up. I breezed through it despite its darkness. What bothered me though was how cookie cutter perfect everything was even when things were really fucked up.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year it snowed in April by Eva Bottier is one of the best books that I have read all year. This book tells the story of Avery Benjamin Clarke, a straight A student and all around good kid who has been raised by his grandparents since birth until the age of 13 when his biological mother returns and unfortunate circumstances forces him into her care. The book becomes very intense as Avery’s life continuously spirals downhill as the story unfolds, due to sexual and physical abuse at the hand of his extremely negligent mother.

The first chapter of the book alludes readers into believing that Avery’s story will be akin to the average plots with teenagers as the main focus. With a good upbringing by his upper middle class grandparents, for bashful Avery who’s experiencing puberty and his first crush on a friend of the family, life seems to be heading in the right direction. However, as the story progresses Bottier takes the story so far left that it captivates readers who hope for a bright light at the end of the tunnel, wishing for Avery to triumph despite his many demons.

Carla Clarke, the malevolent mother of Avery, drags her son into a world of drugs, sex, incest and even murder with not a care for his wellbeing at all. Towards the end of the book where Carla has a serious battle with cancer, she reveals to Avery the cause for her nefarious ways and blames them on the dysfunction of her family with her mother being a closet lesbian and her father secretly molested her for 5 years. The drama and intensity of the book was enough to make me squirm and feel empathy for Avery, as I hoped he would eventually find peace . Unfortunately, Bottier ended the book on a very sour note with Avery killing his mother, ending the cycle of abuse and then committing suicide.

Though I was displeased with the ending, I felt that the book was very good and I applaud Bottier for telling a story that often doesn’t get told in my community. Many black men experience sexual abuse but are reluctant to talk about it, get help or even expose their abusers because of the taboo surrounding the subject. The book kept me hooked for 2 days straight with many plot twists that weren’t foreshadowed at all. Bottier’s writing style is unique and very original and I would love to read more books by her. I would recommend this book to others, but I would warn them of its very tragic and disturbing elements.

[Tiffany LaShay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very emotionally charged story. It is heartbreaking, something that I did not expect when I purchased this book. It is a well-written story that I could not put down although it was hard to read at times. Carla is a character that I ultimately hated, and while some had the mixed emotions for her from the reviews I have come across, I could not have those mixed emotions. I think that Eva Bottier did a damn good job with this book. It drew me in with emotions, and wanting to know what happened next.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Avery who was raised by his loving grandparents in Harlem until his 13th birthday when his mother shows up back in his life. After his grandparents are killed, Carla is all he has. And she is a mess who abuses him in many ways. Despite his achievements in College and his relationship with Paige, whom he loves, Avery's life spirals downward until the sad almost inevitable conclusion

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was something different. Carla was a depraved person. I know she suffered abuse at the hands of her father and her mother was gay but what she put her son, Avery through was beyond ridiculous. Most mothers want the best for their children. There was so much abuse and incest. I'm sure Carla didn't love herself, therefore she could'nt show love. She was something else. The Year It Snowed in April is good and something different. Poor Avery died loving Paige.

[Savannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I felt about this book. Although the characters were well developed, the writer took me on such a roller coaster ride of emotions, I soon tired of the ups and downs and just wanted off. I forced myself to finish in hopes that poor Avery, her protagonist, would eventually have some sort of peace. Well, he did find peace at the end but not in a way I'd hoped for him.

[Tammi]

This is a very intense book about Avery, a 13-year-old who is living an idyllic life with his upper middleclass grandparents. Suddenly, on the year it snow in April, his mother reenters his life. His storybook life is quickly turned upside down. It is a sad and, at times, horrific story that shows how unfit parents can destroy their children.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written! I must admit, the subject matter in this book was very disturbing and I almost opted not to continue reading once Carla entered the picture. She was a very vile individual. But I was rooting for Avery so I continued on with the book. The author did a great job showing how Avery got from point A to point B in his psychosis. Very heart-breaking story.

[Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read. It took me a few chapters to really get into the book but when I did it was hard to put down. Avery's life is a mess and I really started to feel sympathy for the characters. Towards the end it started to get a bit predictable but overall it was a great read. Would recommend it. 4 Stars!

[Wendy]

This is a well written page turner. My first read by this author and I can't wait for more. I took an emotional roller coaster ride along with Avery as he struggled to maintain a sense of normalcy after tragedy. Parts of this book are beyond shocking to say the least. A must read.

[Susan Hendricks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I saw no value to this story, got to Part 2, Chapter 2 and simply couldn't continue. writing style was bland and simple. conversations seemed contrived. Do not recommend this for subject matter and the manner in which it was written.

[Michelle Valentine]

thank you all for reading my book and posting you comments - whatever they were - i truly appreciate it!

- Eva Bottier (aka MICHELLE VALENTINE)

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It started slow for me, than all the crazinesss kicked in. The ending blew me away. I would not wish grandparents, mother, autnt or uncle like the characters in ths book on my worst enemy.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely the BEST!!! Wow..Wow...Wow!!

[Lanzy]

recommended by Kim

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Meticulously written, engaging characters, heartbreaking storyline. Will definitely add this author to my list of "go to" authors.

[Hyacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, another one of the best books I've read. This book is straight INSANITY...it is past bizarre but components of it is somebody's reality, it has to be...sheesh! A must read!

[Felisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a book....family secrets will definitely destroy lives...

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to get to the end. Finally, he did it. Written very elementary.

[K. Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely a page turner! I enjoyed the characters and definitely felt for Avery as he dealt with so much that happened in his life! I would definitely recommend this book to others!

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! What a story!!

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad and disturbing but I must admit the storyline was very different.