Without Saying Goodbye

by Clarence Carter

On the worst day of his life, Adam Deluca is abducted. He finds himself at a troubled teen school. A letter from home demands his return. Adam and his unlikely allies must escape the clutches of the abusive school.

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2024

Reviews

[Samantha Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heart-breaking story of a young boy ripped from his home after an incredibly traumatic experience. The whole time, I just wanted to hug him. It was never his fault, but that's not how guilt works. Man, what an awful father. I hate that these schools really exist. Poor Adam. Poor all of them.

[Megan Caudill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this whole book in a day. First chapter drew me in immediately with an amazing hook. The pacing, intrigue, and character narration was so good, it kept me glued to the pages. Adam (the main character) was VERY real. I felt his inner conflict, and empathized with the choices he had to make. I didn’t hate him when he screwed up and made cruel choices to save himself, I felt bad for him. The story was thrilling, and I was rooting for Adam to escape the “school” the whole time.

The way the author inserted special things throughout the story to keep me turning pages was impressive. Something was always happening every chapter for the most part. The pros and descriptions were well done. The side characters felt so real too, and really pushed and pulled Adam to make the choices he had to make. Overall, it was a realistic satisfying end that the story. It made me yearn for the “troubled teens” in this country to find Jesus because of how much man fails them. I pray these kind of evil schools are shutdown more and more.

I’d say Adam could have had a bigger change, maybe a lie that he could overcome. Yeah, I would have liked a bigger arc for him. That’s my only critique, other than a couple weirdly worded moments and slower pacing at the end. But overall the beginning and middle act had great pacing!

* warning: Rated R language (but it was tactfully used in dialog and felt earned)
No sex
Pg13 violence (no gore)

[SMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me “Holes” by Louis Sachar vibes! The author did an excellent job of keeping you invested in the story. I couldn’t put the book down after a few chapters. “Without Saying Goodbye” gives a full perspective on a troubled teens life. Resilience speaks loud in the pages. It made an emotional impact on me as the reader, coming from a background of social work. The happy little twist at the end made for a perfect read!

[Marianne Antonichuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book had me not wanting to stop I need to know what happened to Taylor why would a school be like this I had some emotions I. This book I was mad at the school for doing stuff like this and cried cause I was like no please don’t get caught please don’t get caught excellent book and I already have a book on it’s way

[Mike Minicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was magnificently written. The story will pull at your heartrings. The emotions that come alive in this story is nothing short of pure poetry. I highly recommend this read.

[Brenda Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without Saying Goodbye is phenomenal.

Oh wow. This book had me invested! 100% invested.
The story is heartbreaking, eye-opening, and I found myself thinking about it while at work.

Adam DeLuca is a troubled teen. One evening, he's forcibly abducted by two strange men. Worse, it was his father who arranged this.
Adam is taken to a school for troubled teens...
To know what horrors these kids endure, you have to read the book.
Oh wow, the story seriously grips you hard and doesn't let go, even after you finish it.

Five massive 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 for Without Saying Goodbye.
Seriously, what an excellent book.
Bravo!